LED Bulbs
I just purchased a RoadMaster Light Kit #155 to install in our Jeep Liberty dingy, can I use a LED bulb that is said to replace the 1157. The RoadMaster Kit uses one bulb for brakes, tail and turn si...
Forum Discussion
I created my own tow lights for my Dodge Dakota.
I had two OEM 1157 twist in sockets that had been salvaged from an unknown vehicle many years ago. I drilled and slotted two holes in the back of the tail light units that the sockets would fit in to and twist lock. I wired the thing like a regular trailer and installed two LED 1157 replacements. When I connected it all to the RV the LEDs did not work properly. After hours of testing and futzing around I determined that there was too much voltage drop from the front of the RV through the tail light wiring harness to operate the LEDs properly.
So.....
I found a hot wire that fed from the battery through the fuse block. I ran a 12 gauge wire to the rear of the RV. I then purchased two relays and attached them to the hot wire and to the trailer light plug instead of wiring the trailer plug in to the tail light circuit.
I then used the tail light circuit as a "Signal" for the relays.
Now I get full battery voltage to the toad instead of the voltage loss before. The relays open and close the Brake/turn circuits and the RV Brake/turn circuit activates the relays.
Whenever I brake or use the turn signals the relays make an audible click near the rear of the RV but that is OK since the relays allow full voltage to get to the toad's LED bulbs.
I had two OEM 1157 twist in sockets that had been salvaged from an unknown vehicle many years ago. I drilled and slotted two holes in the back of the tail light units that the sockets would fit in to and twist lock. I wired the thing like a regular trailer and installed two LED 1157 replacements. When I connected it all to the RV the LEDs did not work properly. After hours of testing and futzing around I determined that there was too much voltage drop from the front of the RV through the tail light wiring harness to operate the LEDs properly.
So.....
I found a hot wire that fed from the battery through the fuse block. I ran a 12 gauge wire to the rear of the RV. I then purchased two relays and attached them to the hot wire and to the trailer light plug instead of wiring the trailer plug in to the tail light circuit.
I then used the tail light circuit as a "Signal" for the relays.
Now I get full battery voltage to the toad instead of the voltage loss before. The relays open and close the Brake/turn circuits and the RV Brake/turn circuit activates the relays.
Whenever I brake or use the turn signals the relays make an audible click near the rear of the RV but that is OK since the relays allow full voltage to get to the toad's LED bulbs.
