trailer lights

[mrmilkme]

Hi all. I put a trailer hitch on my 1980 1100.i havea trailer for it. I got all the lights workin
But when you hook up the lights too the bike the lights are weak.(dim).do i need lower
Watt bulbs. I did install a 5into4 converter.any help would be great.THANKS

[rover]

trailer lights

Did you put LED lights on your trailer? If not, there are two things you can do. Either put in a 3 pole double throw switch to switch from trailer rear lights or cycle rear lights; or use a heavy duty 2 prong automotive flasher. By using this flasher, you WILL disable the auto cancel on your sigs. The easiest and best way is to use LED trailer lights, otherwise you will run the risk of using more ampereage than your charging system will produce.

[crazy steve]

If you don't have any other 'extra' electrical bits on the bike, the stock charging system has plenty of power to run trailer lighting. You will need to change out the turn flasher for a heavy-duty automotive unit (if your trailer is connected with turns), and any 'dim' lights are due to poor connections somewhere. Check/clean all lighting connections, the problem will go away. Swapping to lower-wattage lamps will merely mask the problem, probably only temporarily...

I towed a trailer behind my '78 for seven years, never had any issues, at least electrically...

I'll note that total trailer weight, including load, shouldn't exceed about 175 lbs.

[Jerry]

I had the luxury of using the trailer only behind my bikes so I did not use a 5 to 4 converter. No problems with electrics on my XJ pulling the trailer this way.

1. Ground
2. Right turn
3. Left turn
4. Running
5. Brake

I used light assemblies from a Tarus station wagon which has separate turn bulbs for left and right. Other bulbs are twin filament for brake and running lights. Connector is a 6-pin waterproof out of an old washing machine, has a current rating higher than used by the bulbs. I also run red / amber side marker lights, all standard tungsten filament bulbs.

This does not work if you want to use the trailer behind other vehicles that do not have a 5-wire set up or if your trailer lights do not have separate turn lights. However, it would not be hard to add separate turn lights to the trailer and go with a 5-wire set when you pull with your XS, eliminating the need - and current draw - of the 5-to-4 converter.

[mrmilkme]

Well now i m wondering if i hooked up the lights right.on the plug in where i got the power from. It was the 6 wireplug in for the tail/break light.what i seen was two wires were ground. Two for the brake. And two for running lights. Any help would would be great.i think i might go with led lights. From what i been hearing

[Eveready1100]

Hi Milkme. Don't worry about the LED's until you have your wiring sorted first. Seems like you have an earthing problem. Best off to start over with the wiring to the trailer. Find the earth wire for the tail light, then the live feeds for the tail, stop and indicator lights and tap into them and test the lights on the trailer after you make each connection. Don't worry about changing the flasher can. The standard one will handle the load just fine.