Adding an aux/rev light wire

[LVNeptune]

I just upgraded to a new disc brake system and I have a 4-pin flat adapter. I have two different trailers one jetski that uses a 4-pin and a boat that I need to add an extra wire for the reverse solenoid. What's everyone's recommendations to accomplish this?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

A Surge Brake Trailer will be wired with a 5 pin connector.



Get one of these for the truck and you will never have to consider what you are hooking up ever again!
>>> 4, 5, and 7 pin Vehicle Connector

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

What prevents the exposed 7 pin round from shorting out when backing into the water? It is obviously open when towing.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

My new truck came with the 7 pin connector and I got a adapter plug to a 4 with and you can also get a 5 wire adapter. That would be the simplest way, then you would fit any thing.

The same thing that stops any 12 volt trailer plug its 12 volts it wont short and it has a flip down cover when not in use.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Do you normally unplug the trailer when backing into the water? There's only one cover for the whole thing and not individually so if the 5pin was plugged in the round would still be exposed.

Edit: never mind. It has two covers.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

A lot of people do unplug, if you arnt using a sealed bulb system the cold water hitting a hot bulb will pop one. personally I don't, but I use the sealed lights, the water never touches a bulb so it wont blow one, at night having the trailer lights on is a big help you can see them underwater and use it as a guide when putting the boat on the trailer. The voltage is so low that getting the trailer connector it in the water wont cause any sort of a problem.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Since I'm adding a reverse wire. What can I add for reverse lights? Might as well add some...

 

[briangcc]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Well if you're using surge brakes, that reverse wire is supposed to energize your lockout solenoid so that the brakes don't engage when you're backing the trailer up. I'm not so sure tapping into that line for reverse lights is such a hot idea. But you're welcome to try. I'm sure you could find a sealed white LED light to mount.

But...if you've ever noticed, normal trailers don't have reverse lights on them. Neither do semi's and those are 53' long.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

OK. Nevermind then

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Just curiious, but why are you concerned about the 7 pin connector getting wet. Are you backing in so far the connector is under water?
This may come as news to you, but you can add the flat five pin connector to the truck in place of the flat four. The flat four of the jet ski trailer will mate with the flat five just fine. The reverse connection is empty (position #5) and wouldn't be used anyway on the jet ski trailer. Heck of a lot cheaper than the 7 pin and mating adapters.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

I already bought that one recommended earlier. No big deal. I don't like the wiring harness dangling anyway. This will look better. And yes. The launch ramp at Lake Mead sucks. You have to back pretty far in. Water just below the front door in my '96 Yukon stock lift. I want to add a 6" lift but no funds for that plus next year I am probably going to get a Tundra or Ram with a stock +6" lift.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

I already bought that one recommended earlier. No big deal. I don't like the wiring harness dangling anyway. This will look better...

Good Deal!

Getting the connectors wet is not a big deal in fresh water.
The covers are NOT waterproof to begin with. It is 12volts, Not 120!
Your current 4 pin flat connector is not water proof!
They get wet for a few minutes; They dry out!
Spray some WD40 on them every so often

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

WD40 or dielectric grease? Any difference?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Both are good, I personally use a bit of the dielectric grease once a year in the fall before the winter road salt season just to keep corrosion at bay. WD 40 will dry up after awhile.

 

[ninhalo5]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Or, you could just put the lockout pin in place prior to backing up and don't use the reverse solenoid (which if that shorts out you can fry your entire brake system)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

(which if that shorts out you can fry your entire brake system)

Please explain how you fry out hydraulic brakes.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Worst case the solenoid gets stuck closed and it loops through the master cylinder without providing pressure to the brakes.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Worst case the solenoid gets stuck closed and it loops through the master cylinder without providing pressure to the brakes.

Not possible.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Oh trust me. I have had electronic relays that were stuck closed without any electricity applied. It is most DEFINATELY possible. And this was a $150 relay for some precision technology equipment. Essentially this solenoid does the same thing.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding an aux/rev light wire

Only if the contacts had too much current and welded themselves together. Of course you said electronic relay which implies a solid state relay which there isn't one here.

The only way the backup relay would stay energized is if you had some stray path that kept the relay energized all the time and you would get enough current going through water to cause that to happen.