Eric,

I couldn't figure the "flashing" comment either, unless he was referring to
what sometimes happens with a non-electronic flasher without enough
load - - e.g. if you replace your turn signal incandescent lights with LED
units, the load won't be enough to operate the OEM flasher. This can be
corrected by either installing a suitable electronic flasher or by
installing a load resister in parallel with both turn signals.

Also good is to install a 3rd brake light at the top of the trailer fin. It
may be necessary to make a wedge or bracket so that the LED fixture is
perpendicular to the ground (LED's used in these fixtures have a relatively
narrow beam angle as compared to incandescent lights). A relay is used for
the "logic" circuit with the coil driven by one turn signal and the NO
contact connected to the other. Both turn/brake lights on together, then the
3rd brake light works.

Newer Cobra trailers have a bigger tail light fixture installed semi-flush.
A shame, since it's still not good quality and the larger hole in the
trailer means you can't use standard round truck LED lights easily.

I used Maxxima LED fixtures on my trailer, reasonable price and good
quality.

bumper


"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
news:7BTki.9017$ZO4.6321@trndny05...
Paul Hanson wrote:

I don't remember (at least recently anyways) seeing
a thread about LED lights for trailers. However, I
think LED's are a great idea, BUT... I just urge anyone
buying them to look into the flash rate (they are constantly
blinking as opposed to solidly on like incandescents)
of lights you are investigating and choose the highest
rate possible. Reason being, it is VERY annoying and
distracting to be driving at night, and to have a set
of very bright taillights 'strobe' a dotted line across
your vision as you scan your eye across them. The lower
the flash rate, the more exaggerated the problem is.
I am very surprised DOT has not set some kind of minimum
standards as to flash rate (as well as better guidelines
to headlight lumen maximum/spectrum range, anyone else
hate those ultra-bright purple blue headlights?). Remember, if it is
distracting to other drivers, you
are increasing your chances of an accident as opposed
to promoting safety so please do your homework before
purchasing.

There are plenty of places selling brake/turn/running light units using
LEDs that display exactly as the incandescent units do (no
flashing/strobing, just on or off). In the USA, LED lights are very common
on all sizes of trucks and buses, and none of them flash.

I replaced the standard incandescent units on my Cobra trailer and my
motorhome with LED units. They are much brighter, particularly the trailer
units, as the incandescent units drew enough current to lower the voltage
at the lamp.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org