Cobra trailer tail lights replacement?

At 13:53 23 November 2016, wrote:
On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 3:00:10 PM UTC-6, Michael
Opitz wrote:
At 17:30 22 November 2016, John Bojack J4 wrote:
Looking to replace the factory/European style tail lights.

Although attractive (??) I think they can be confusing for USA
drivers
following behind it.

Any suggestions for improvement and/or making them more
USA
"friendly"?
And also wiring them for USA vehicles.


I have seen several trailers with round L.E.D. replacement tail
lights.
Source?

All suggestions and advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

J4


John,

All I do (for a US 4 wire conversion) is swap spade connectors
(at the bulbs themselves) between the the Euro amber turn
signal and the red brake light. Just unscrew the lens cover,
swap
the 2 spade connectors, put the lens cover back on. The amber
light is then not used, so drivers in the USA won't be confused.

RO

Thanks Mike, the last thing we need is more confused American
drivers.


Herb,

For those that aren't familiar, converting a Euro system to a USA 4
wire system will normally result in the amber turn signal light being
used for both turn and brake signals. The red Euro "brake" light
normally gets bypassed in the wiring deal, so for me, the easiest
solution has been to swap spade connectors between the two. This
results in the red brake light sharing duties as a turn signal, which
is what drivers in the USA are accustomed to seeing. FWIW, the
police also like seeing red brake lights a lot better than amber or
yellow ones..

I have a Euro adaptor "pig tail" wiring connector which allows me to
plug the pig tail into my car, go to the port, swap bulb spade
connectors (in 5 minutes), hook up the trailer and drive away in as
little as 40 minutes total time spent at the port (including customs
& everything). Then, when we are home, we can redo the trailer
wiring connectors at our liesure (as opposed to doing it at the dock
in the rain or snow...) I have used this system in picking up ~10
gliders from the port now, and it works pretty well for me....

RO

"USA friendly"?
Does that mean going back to the 1960s-style 4-wire scheme with one brake light if you're using the turn signals?
When changing to LEDs, it's easy to maintain the amber turn and red brake lights, and even add features like white reversing light. Personally completed the mod on three Cobra trailers in the USA.
Try looking he
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_o...ights&_sacat=0
Any USA glider trailer going to Benalla will need proper lighting. 4-wire and red turn signals are illegal.
Jim

J4, Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...ght-93263.html

Very bright. I have had these for 5 years at least and absolutely no issues. DL and 22 also have them.

You may need to enlarge the hole in the back of the trailer, other than that it is an easy swap.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 8:22:52 PM UTC-5, Mitch Deutsch wrote:
J4, Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...ght-93263.html

Very bright. I have had these for 5 years at least and absolutely no issues. DL and 22 also have them.

You may need to enlarge the hole in the back of the trailer, other than that it is an easy swap.

J4, I agree with Mitch! If you have a Harbor Freight near you... Best deal on the planet. (Bright LED) sealed units. That is my 2000 euros worth.

I switched to led tail lights after being reared ended on I-85. I added a third led brake light up on the fin that was made for an ambulance. Etrailer.com had the module that makes the third brake light come on only when braking, and I got a module from a motorcycle shop that strobes it three times before staying on. It's quite a light show back there. Dont know if it will repell boarders or mesremise them on the way in. But I feel better about it.

On Monday, November 28, 2016 at 10:01:18 AM UTC-8, SF wrote:
I switched to led tail lights after being reared ended on I-85. I added a third led brake light up on the fin that was made for an ambulance. Etrailer.com had the module that makes the third brake light come on only when braking, and I got a module from a motorcycle shop that strobes it three times before staying on. It's quite a light show back there. Dont know if it will repell boarders or mesremise them on the way in. But I feel better about it.

It will, no doubt, attract the inebriated like a both to a flame! :c)

One suggestion I have is to add reflective tape to the back of the trailer.

I think the narrow width of the trailers including the spacing between tail lights might make the trailer appear farther away than it is.

I think the more reflective material makes it appear brighter, which subconsciously may make it appear closer, so they will stay further back. It helps the trailer be seen quicker too.
Also the wiring does not fail or come unplugged and even works when just parked.
I have pieces of the reflective tape along the back, one white piece up the vertical fin, then pieces on the fenders, and the sides of the trailer.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ligh...cs/RE418T.html

Chris