Cobra trailer tail lights replacement?

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

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 12:30:41 PM UTC-5, 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

Go to etrailer.com
Many options
UH

Here... https://www.superbrightleds.com/sear...ucts/STFR-R24/

Get the right angle plug too... https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ck-lights/569/

They also have replacements for the side marker lights.

D

On 11/22/2016 12:30 PM, 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



I've used these in both my current and previous cobra trailer.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...it/A-p8006317e

The retailer is Canadian but you should be able to find an equivalent in
the US. The face plate is a direct fit for the existing cobra cutouts.
The rear portion (plastic box) has to be trimmed if the top of your
trailer has cuffs that hold the wingtip, if you have an ASG-29 type wing
with the handles you probably don't need to modify anything.

Luke

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

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.

I cringe every time i am in busy traffic with my glider trailer and have to brake hard. There's some kind of optical illusion our long skinny trailers seem to have that makes drivers tailgate too closely.
Personally, i know of 3 guys who've had collisions on the road this way.

J4

I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 3:21:47 PM UTC-8, bumper wrote:
I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year.. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

Here is a module that will convert US wiring to European:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-...rt/C56196.html

If you just want to add a third stop light ignore the turn signals.

Tom

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 5:21:47 PM UTC-6, bumper wrote:
I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year.. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

I have been updating my Cobra trailer with LED lights. See http://aviation..derosaweb.net/presentations#trailer for more details.

I agree that;

1) LED lights are absolutely the way to go. Last forever. Brighter. No corrosion issues. My side light fixtures were replaced as a unit with LED fixtures that cover the outline of the old fixture. The tail light fixture BULBS were replaced with LED bulbs. Most/all of the bulbs in the tail light fixture can be replaced with 1156's. https://www.superbrightleds.com is a good source.

2) A HEP (high eye point) light on the tail fin is advantageous. I used a motorcycle turn signal and brake light fixture and wired it into a barrier strip that I installed so that I have access to all the wiring (versus the Cobra terminal block). Instead of a relay (well done!) I used two hefty diodes and when the brakes are on, every LED in the fixture is lit!

--+------------------- HEP Left Light
|
+----||-----+
+------ HEP Brake Light
+----||-----+
|
--+------------------- HEP Right Light

Best of luck. OHM