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momentary "blinker" trailer running lights?

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New owner of 1997 Dodge 3500 cummins

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This is kinda "dumb".

I would like to install a blinker for my 5th wheel trailer's running lights. This is so I can look like the big guys when I pass 'em on the upgrades and wish to acknowledge the almost universal courtesy that the truck drivers exhibit when they flash their headlights to let you know that you are "clear" to come back in.

I had such a rig OEM on an older motorhome and came to like it.

It isn't a big deal but I assume one of you enterprising folks have already done it and can let me know how.

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2001 SLT Auto, 4x2, LWB White, camper/towing options, Line-x over-rail liner, Oem black molded running boards, Oem molded rear splash guards, Powervision mirrors, "Painless" wiring, Brolin Bracket (for CB), Black Bug deflector (with eyebrows) Oem CD radio, Oem body molding added to truck bed, Dash Carpet, Black louvered tailgate, 5th wheel Hitch. Guages coming real soon. No bombing planned, --well maybe -- VA -- someday. (How could it be "stealth" if you put it in your signature, anyway?)

[This message has been edited by Nelson Buck (edited 08-06-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by Nelson Buck (edited 08-06-2000). ]
 
All that is needed is a momentary contact switch, and a relay. Basically all you need to do is interrupt power to the running lights. Simply use a normally-closed momentary contact switch, and regular high-amp relay. The headlight switch would no longer carry the load for the runnig lights. The relay would be carrying the load instead. The reason for using a relay, is because most momentary-contact switches are rated for only an amp or two. This way, you can use a small momentary-contact switch to work a relay, which controls a high amp load.

Here's a diagram:

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I haven't gotten around to wiring mine yet, but will be doing it this way. By pushing the switch in, the lights will turn off, and them back on when you let off the push button monetary-contact switch.

BOMBED #ad

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Evan A. Beck "NW PUNK"
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'01 2500HD 4x2 QC, 139" WB, 6-speed, ETH, SLT... yadda yadda yadda... 7,150 miles since 4/26/00!
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<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Tahoma">

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Check out NW PUNK for more info! #ad
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If you go with two double throw relays and a normally open momentary contact switch you can turn the markers on wthen the lights are off and when the tail/markers are on at night the same switch will momentarly turn them off. You won't have to mess with the main light switch

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Denny
 
Don't know how to wire in the double throw
relays. Could someone tell me or show a diagram. On or off list OK.
TIA
Y2K,3500,4x4
 
In the second day of hell week -- as soon as it is over I'll put togeter a drawing for the dual relay system and try to figure out how to post it! I'ts very simple and one of our members will probably figure it out befor I can get it done.

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Denny
 
Nothing dumb about this, Nelson, I've been planning on doing the same thing to my truck. Maybe it's because I drive 18-wheelers.
C. D. Day, I'm interested in how you wire that double relay, please post when you have a chance.
Evan, this looks like a good candidate for the next "BOMBing" session!
Andy
 
I've been wanting to add this feature for some time but didn't trust my own ingenuity. I appreciate seeing it here - didn't find it on a search. Not to take away from Evans diagram - ehich i was ready to initiate - but ability to flash with lights off would be an added benefit.
 
Guys, don't give up on me hell week turned x 2 and I just walked in the door from Houston. I'll get to it. I know I'm wastin'time looking at the web site and not attending to business, but you know how it is

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Denny
 
The good news is the drawing for the light flasher is done! The bad news is I don't have a way of getting fron a piece of paper into the computer.
If one of you has a fax and or scanner I will fax it to them for posting. My e-mail address is cdday@mindspring.com and fax number is 423-326-0972. I'll be leaving for Birmingham at dark-thirty Monday am but should be back in the evening with a little luck. I'll have it ready to go.


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Denny

[This message has been edited by C. D. Day (edited 08-20-2000). ]
 
Here we go! Dave Fritz has contacted me and I'll fax the drawing to him tonight, soooo
with a little luck it will be on the site tomorrow

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Denny
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry for being so dense. I can't figure this drawing out. Could you post which terminals do what? Which is the supply, load, and the "switch" voltage?

Also, is the momentary switch normally open or normally closed?

[This message has been edited by Kyle (edited 08-22-2000). ]
 
Question: will this also blink the trailer lights, or do they get their power from a different wire than the one you show being cut? I assuming they're all on the same circuit, but I wanted to make sure. Also, since we're tearing into the running light wiring, I think it would be a good idea to relay the running lights so they're drawing directly off the batteries without all that amperage going through the headlight switch. I'm not sure, do the second generation trucks have a relay for the running lights already?
Refer to this for more info, it's from the First Generation forum: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum2/HTML/000458.html
Andy
 
Me too Kyle. I've been trying to figure it out for quite a while. I'm assuming that 85 and 86 are the switch terminals and 30 to 87 or 87a is your double throw part of the switch. But if that's the case with nothing hooked up to 87 why not just use a normal relay. But even if that's the case I can't see how it would work.

-Steve
 
I have been following this post for some time and have a suggestion. If you have the trailer tow option, the relay already in the side marker and tail light circuit, added relays are unnecessary. All one need do is find the wire from the light switch to the relay feed, cut it and install a momentary off switch. That way the relay still takes the load and your only interupting the + feed to the relay.
I did this 2 years ago and have had no trouble towing a 37 ft. 5er with around 25 lights. Remove the outer bezel around the dash to access the head light switch screws. Remove the switch and cut the wire. Add a length of wire if needed for the switch placement. My switch is mounted on a plastic flange cut from an extra A-pillar trim and mounted to the dash right above the left knee. I screwed it into the knee bolster in the crack between the dash and the bolster and the flage also holds my lock-up switch and Pac brake switch. If interested I'll look under my dash and post the wire color.
-Paul R. Haller-
 
It looks to me like the relay in the trailer tow kit is only for the trailer lights. The lights on the truck are fed from the headlight switch. The reason I want to use the relay is to reduce the load on the headlight switch plus so I can have a smaller momentary switch to blink the lights.

-Steve
 
Steve, I found a more descriptive drawing of the Bosch relay used in the diagram above. It shows what leads to what.

Power supplied to 85 energizes the coil.
30-87a is closed when there is NO power on 85. 30-87 is closed when there IS power on 85.

The reason for a double-throw relay is not for the double-throw part but so you can use the normally-closed circuit. If you could find a single-throw relay that was normally closed it would work too.

Here's the link: http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/bosch/relay.htm

Any one know where you can buy Bosch relays and sockets??????? I can only find wholesalers on the web and they won't sell to me.
 
NO, the trailer lights, the side marker lights, the cab clearance lights, and the tail lights on the truck all blink when the momentary switch is pushed if the + feed to the stock trailer tow relay is interrupted. At least it does on my 97.
If you also have the compass/temp option above the windshield, the LED display gets brighter when the momentary switch is pushed also.
-Paul R. Haller-
 
I was just thinking that the truck lights may be on the same feed as the + lead of the trailer tow relay. The best way to determine this is to measure the amp load on that circuit when energized or to just pull that relay when the lights are on. if the trucks marker lights go out when the relay is pulled the truck lights are running off the trailer tow relay.
-Paul R. Haller-
 
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
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Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
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