jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7469
Location: WA/ID
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 Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:19 pm Post subject: Auxiliary tail lights/trailer lights |
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I've been wanting to add auxiliary tail lights to the van for awhile. I added the GW third brake light but want more conspicuity, esp. from the rear. A second set of tail lights provides belt & suspenders back-up should the stock tail lights fail and may provide additional visibility. I've been pondering where to mount them for awhile but a mounting place became obvious when I landed on an upgrade to the solar panels.
Mounting the aux. tail lights up high should provide visibility to my signals multiple-cars behind me. A third brake light is helpful, improved visibility to running lights, brakes and turn signals may also be helpful to those behind me.
For wiring, I installed a seven-way trailer light junction box. I need six wires for the tail lights I chose.
Junction box installed on the inside of the rear bumper (this is a Bostig so no muffler here), wiring still to be routed and zip-tied. The tremendous benefit of the junction box is that it allows easy hook-up of trailer lights, additional brake lights, back-up cams, etc.
With the cover...
Open barrel ring terminals used (I'm still learning, see link to Marine Wire Terminations below)...
I didn't take any pics of wiring the aux. tail lights, but I wired them together using a six-way wire bundle with a Curt six-way trailer plug at the end so they can be removed from the van if needed.
The same six-way wire bundle led from the junction box, up to the roof with a Curt six-way plug to plug into the tail light harness.
All lights illuminated...
Running lights...
Brake lights...
Cop mode, all lights at night...
Brakes and flashers at night...
Brake lights at night...
Running lights at night...
Flashers and brake lights at day...
Link
Flashers and brake at night...
Link
I also like reflectors...
Other relevant threads... I may eventually swap the incandescent lights with LEDs, although I'm still skeptical after seeing so many crappy LEDs in the aughts...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6651021
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=461742
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=40
Marine Wire Termination - Detailed crimping tutorial: tools, terminals, test standards for strength. Some day I'll be a wire terminal nerd...
https://marinehowto.com/marine-wire-termination/
Parts list
75 LED tail lights...the price dropped $20 since I bought it in December...
https://www.amazon.com/LIMICAR-Waterproof-Reverse-Running-Taillight/dp/B07H3G5N86
Curt six-way trailer connector...
https://www.amazon.com/58034-6-Way-Square-Connector-Socket/dp/B00GU0OMBW
Seven-way trailer junction box
https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-Way-Electrical-Tr...9801914040
Six-way 18 ga wire bundle...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0761YT36D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7469
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: Auxiliary tail lights/trailer lights |
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Added the trailer light converter today. Next will be running 12v to the junction box and mounting the four-way plug.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010QB7QGS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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