Hitch Brake Light Wiring

[Tardog]

I found a cool little gadget. It's like a reciever cover but it is a brake light. It comes with 2 pig tails that will plug into a prong connector, or a 7 pin converter. Here is my Question. If I plug it into the trailer wiring brake circuit (left or right) the light flashes when you signal. I don't want this. Can I put a duoble plug on the hot side and plug it into both the left and right brake/signal circuits. This way there will always be power to it when signaling. Does any one see a problem with the 2 cicuits being connected together when not trailering?

 

[redneckdr]

brake light.

i don't think that will work. i think you will defeat your rear turn signals... ... ... ... . there is a wire in the loom to the back of the truck meant to power a "third" brakelight, or "high" brakelight on a topper, etc. on my 01. 5, it is the white wire with tan tracer. i have a hitch cover like yours (except mine has a ram head on it). i powered it from the white/tan wire, which does not flash... ... i'm not sure what the wire will be on your truck, but if you have a service manual, you should be able to trace it.

 

[Dkevdog]

That wire does not exist in a 97. I have third brake lights on my trailers, and the ONLY way to get this done is to tap into to either the high mount cab brake light or better yet... ..... use the brake switch to trigger a relay to power the light. (Not that that lamp looks like a huge draw) Alot of work but worth it IMHO.



Have Fun!



Kev

 

[redneckdr]

wires

 

[Tardog]

doesn't the trailer circuit work through relays?. Or are they connected directly to the trucks signal system (no service manual).

 

[redneckdr]

relays

that's not the problem. the signal from the brake light switch goes to the turn signal switch, and is "modified" there so that the side with the flasher on "makes and breaks" with the turn signal. to get a steady signal for the "third light" you have to pick the signal off before the turnsignal switch, or as said from the cab third light. prolly taking it directly from the brake light switch will be the easiest, then run the wire back to the hitch light. the bulb is small, so a relay may not be necessary. not bad insurance, though. relays are cheap.

 

[Bigramguy]

Two diodes installed in signal wires from the trailer plug would work to feed the light,and ground the other side. Much easier to wire and disconnect\reconnect using the trailer plug.

 

[Tardog]

Redneckdr

so what your saying is that the turnsignal breaks the brake light circuit and makes it flash and by me wiring the two together would send power to the side that is to be broken? But then what happens when you are not on the brakes- then there is no circuit to break to make a signal? (not being difficult just all these break'n brakes got me thinkin)

 

[Bigramguy]

You are correct,if you wire both the L and R signal wires to feed the brake light they will backfeed and the signals won't work. The signals and brake lights share the same wires,except when the signals are on the circuit is interupted. You can make it work with two $1. 00 diodes from Radio shack. The diodes only allow current flow in one direction,so the hitch brake light will not flash,and you won't backfeed into the signal light circuits.



Take the signal wires from the trailer plug (one green and one yellow),and solder a diode into each one,with the little triangle pointing towards the wiring going to the hitch brake light. Then tee these two wires together and connect that to the positive on the light. Your other wire from the light would go back into your trailer plug to ground,white is usually white. Cheap and easy. One have to remove the light and disconnect the trailer plug to use the hitch.



If your not electrically inclined,I can make you one and just mail it too ya,ready to install. I have enough spare parts to do it. Just crimp on the two wires and go.

 

[Tardog]

Bigramguy



Can I put the diodes in the leads off the light ( instead of taking a part the trailer wireing? that way they stay with the light and come off with the light when I remove it to use the hitch. thanks for the info and offer, cheap and easy is how I like it.

 

[Bigramguy]

Yes

That's the point,to make a little harness that comes off with the light. Probably best to use one off those cheap little 4 prong trailer plugs,to plug into your 7 prong adapter,and then wire the diodes between that and the hitch light,so it all comes off together for towing. The wire colors I stated are usually universal for that kind of trailer plug.



Sorry if I confused you,when i said trailer plug,my bad,I meant the trailer side plug,not the vehicle plug. The object is not to have to tie into or run any wires on the truck itself. Good luck.

 

[Tardog]

Bigramguy

Exactly. I hate tying into existing wires on the truck on the under side. It's so tuff to get things sealed up again. Salt spray, water, grit and the odd bird or small fury creature all reek havic with wiring. Thanks to all for you input. Cheers

 

[Bigramguy]

Here is a quick sketch,pardon the artwork

 

[Tardog]

Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect. thanks for the sketch. May I see the light