Question about toad diode wiring
I presently use magnetic tow lights and have for years. I'm thinking about diode wiring to the toad's tail and brake lights and a question to myself arose. I understand how a diode works on dc power...
Forum Discussion
Wiring with diodes is about as simple as it gets. It always cracks me up when folks think the world is going to go up in flames if they TIE INTO THE FACTORY WIRING. I've only been doing just that for oh, about 35-40 years of RVs and toads. And up until my most recent wiring job for our present toad, I've not used those high-priced boxed diodes from Camping World and other RV supplies places.
All I've used is about $3.50 worth of diodes from Radio Shack. A diode is a diode, period. No matter if it's got a box wrapped around it or not. Using the factory tail lights as toad lights just makes sense. I mean, if you're following a toad, being towed behind a coach and, it's heavy traffic around you, freeway conditions, maybe the sun at your back, it just make sense to look for signals that are more natural from the toad in front of you.
All my toads that I've wired, have the toad lights act the EXACT same when towing them, as they do when driving them. And in some cases, as in one of our toads being a Honda CRV with AMBER turn signals, even those worked as they should. It's not rocket science to wire them up.
Everyone's got a comfort level when working with wiring. Iv'e never been a fan of adding bulbs and sockets. The primary reason is, the additional bulbs are not centered in the back-reflective housings, like the factory bulbs are. So, you don't get the correct brightness needed for good quality signals. Not to mention, if there's an auxiliary brake system in the toad, and the toads brakes are applied the same time a turn signal is sent to those EXTRA bulbs, just exact what signal is going to be seen by a following person?
Scott
All I've used is about $3.50 worth of diodes from Radio Shack. A diode is a diode, period. No matter if it's got a box wrapped around it or not. Using the factory tail lights as toad lights just makes sense. I mean, if you're following a toad, being towed behind a coach and, it's heavy traffic around you, freeway conditions, maybe the sun at your back, it just make sense to look for signals that are more natural from the toad in front of you.
All my toads that I've wired, have the toad lights act the EXACT same when towing them, as they do when driving them. And in some cases, as in one of our toads being a Honda CRV with AMBER turn signals, even those worked as they should. It's not rocket science to wire them up.
Everyone's got a comfort level when working with wiring. Iv'e never been a fan of adding bulbs and sockets. The primary reason is, the additional bulbs are not centered in the back-reflective housings, like the factory bulbs are. So, you don't get the correct brightness needed for good quality signals. Not to mention, if there's an auxiliary brake system in the toad, and the toads brakes are applied the same time a turn signal is sent to those EXTRA bulbs, just exact what signal is going to be seen by a following person?
Scott
