I did not want to interrupt the discussion on the "Third light" discussion so opening up this thread. Comments were made regarding the original wiring on the coaches, wiring to toads with different light configurations(as I'm now aware.. some on either end can be 2 bulb tail lights or 3 bulb tail lights.)
Roadmaster does have some information on what harness to wire here or there, or??? but in the end, I really got confused with wiring my toad to 1st....my class C (needed help and got it at Camping world for $500) and tried at Foretravel to get the same toad to work behind my 2001. (nope... down the road, found problems still existed)
So, I don't want to dump any more $ into 'guessing', or putting a 'new guy' into the mix at $100/hr. or so.
Brought my coach back into it's RV garage, ordered all clearence and side marker lights in LED format. "Also" ordered the LED tail lights. Write ups on the forums archives seemed to show they could be wired up, but found, once the package was opened, that the NEW LED lights required only 2 bulbs/connections, while the OEMs had 3.
I called the company making the new lights and spoke to their tech support. He said, 'yeah... you need another device to make these work... it's a "brake, turn ______ device" and can be bought at any car parts place like Napa, Carquest etc.
I went to those shops in my area and they all looked at me like I was speaking another language...until I spoke to a guy at a Uhaul shop. he showed me one for less than $20 bucks...but...
not haveing time to do that job, I sent it back and paid the freight.
What I would like to ask any in the group here that might have intimate knowledge of this conversion, is:
- Has anyone done this LED tail light conversion job themselves
-do they have a wiring diagram they could share from their experience/or can anyone good at this stuff, figure it out and post it?
-do they recommend one of these devices over another brand...(they seem to vary from 17-75 bucks each)
-do you need 1 or 2 etc.
The site I found the best price on was well below the over $300 price I found in the Foretravel archives...
heres a link on Amazon
IPCW LEDT-502CS Platinum Smoke LED Tail Lamp - Pair : Amazon.com : Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I5TOT6/ref=ox_ya_os_product)
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I plan to install LED tail lights on my 1995 (which uses the same tail lights as does yours). I will use the clear area (intended for the backup lights) as the turn signal with amber bulbs. I will then add backup lights low on the rear of the coach for improved backup lights. The new backup lights will probably be LED, but I haven't yet selected the exact lights I will use. I really like having amber turn signals, since I believe they are superior to combined red stop/turn signal lights.
they are the same ones that are on our coach 2000 U295. I did not put them on but the previous owner did. I will look to see if I can see what he did for wiring if you want?
John H
They do sell LEDs that plug right in where your existing bulbs plug in... no changes necessary. They aren't all that cheap (I paid $17 for one at an auto parts store) but they work fine. Getting the tail light assembly out was a bit of a chore; and I have to do it again because I didn't get all the lights. I think there's mention of an outfit on the Internet that sells even better LEDs than the ones I bought almost 2 years ago.
Craig
Dont forget the latest amber LED lites used for turn signal, have the 3 quick blinks each time it turns on, saw one today on a truck, sure get your attention.
John, yes. I believe they are duplicates of yours and online from this company, they come in solid red lens, translucent black lens, clear, and i think the one shown is what they call 'smoke'.
Anyway, these new style LED units are made to accept only 2 sockets, not the 3 that are on our coaches which were from an earlier design on Fords, so the original wiring either needs to be tapped into, or the old sockets, just cut off and then some device wired in from the original wires. But..I'm not a wiring guru so asking if anyone has done this and kept records, diagrams etc.
I don't have my notes on the conversation with me, taken back in the spring, but he called it a stop-turn-tail converter. I've been online tonight to see if I could pick up my trail of thoughts from back then, and came up with many of these by Curt... 2 to 3 wire devices and 3 to 2 wire devices, some powered, some 'powered' (which i don't think would be needed with the lower amp draw of the LED units. but...since these New LED lights, like yours, has a printed circuit board in it, and 'warning' on the paperwork about mis-wiring things..., I decided NOT to mess with it, until or unless I can get some confirmation of 'how to'.
Wouldn't be surprised if Foretravel has not already installed some of these and possibly Extreme. However, Extreme gets 2K I think for doing the LED conversion..... but I'd be very happy with a new set of tail lights for under $300. and think at the lowered price for these tail lights from above 300 a year ago to now right at 200, the project is worth consideration.
Just last month I purchased a 7-pin(for three bulb systems) to flat four (for two bulb systems) for under $11. It plugs into the coach just like the original electrical cable, but has the converter internal instead of wires hanging out and requiring splicing. It also has three LEDs on one side that tell you whether you are getting current to the flat four connection. Neat, clean, unobtrusive.
I got mine at our local Fleet Farm store, but the product is by well-known mfr. I would think NAPA or O'reilly's would be able to get it. It has worked admirably so far with the curly cord that came with our Blue Ox Aventa tow bar.
My 'gut' told me the LED tail light conversion was a good/safety mod to do to 'my' coach. As important as the clearance lights...as they drop 'the current loads', while driving/continuously.
... The tail light itself is always ON at night, but the brake and turn are used so briefly, that electrical consumption is not really an issue so no real need for the efficiency of an LED set up...but, the brightness of the display IS and so to, is the overall newness or... oldness of the aesthetic look to the coach in general was worth a look and some bucks. Hence, the thought of just replacing those corner tail light assemblies with NEW LED units rather than just changing out some bulbs.
This, has been done before on these coaches but maybe no documentation available?... I was just hoping someone would raise their hands and say, "Hey...Sure! I did it and it was so simple" and then forward or offer an attachment or 2 showing details. OK, I'm a wishful thinker. Ignorance is bliss!
However, I'm convinced that these LED lights are a good upgrade/and cheap at their present price. (last year, over $300., this spring I found them for $224. and now, down to $203!
Now I'm just trying to figure out a safe/secure way to install them....yup, right now, I'm just 'blindlessly swimming up stream'! ;)
stay well. ron
One thing to consider when putting expensive LED units in is what happens when some of the LEDs stop working. You can't just replace them piecemeal. My coach has the Xtreme conversion and some of the LED's went out. Got a replacement from Xtreme at a reasonable price as it's a common fleet light unit. LEDs don't always last as long as advertised. It's the control circuit that goes.
Keith
Ron, sorry I have not done it yet as I said but it is real busy here in FOT N West and soon to be CC Nwest. Not enough hours in a day but I will find out for you-promise
John H
ps I am eating my lunch while typing to save time
John...PLEASE!! nothing here needs to be rushed!
You and i... and i am sure others would 'like' to know....KNOW, "how to do this mod". I am not familiar enough with these coaches to say/ or think /how much of this should be done, but 'think'....."this is doable"!...or somebody has already..
only with that thought do I ask.....or think that.... many years of FT's could benefit within' these model years and produce a safer light scenario.
Don't stress on this for 'me'. Over time, hopefully and ...maybe we can help all of us by putting together... just parts of the puzzle until, someone just...enlightens us ALL.
Xtreme did mine, love the look. Worth every penny
Xtreme did mine also, BUT on both our service trucks, the rear LED Brake, Turn and Backup Lights are painfully bright and are a simple 12 VDC, meaning no power supply, no converter, no gimmicks, just straight 12 Volt just like the old style lamps. So where am I missing all the comfusion.?
Ron,
You might not need to add anything to install the 2 light LED modules. On my 2000 U320 there is already a converter installed and connected to the towed wiring connector. It is a small box tie wrapped to the hydraulic hoses in the engine compartment just above the hitch. Since the LEDs will not draw much power, it is likely that this one converter could handle both the towed lights and the coach LEDs. Note: I haven't tried it this way but see no reason it could not do double duty.
hello all,
Tim/you responded first after my last post..., I'm sure that whatever Extreme did for you was perfect. I love that shop and all who work there! They are TOPS!
I looked at an install they were doing for identical LED tail lights while I was there having my headlights mods done (for safety) and gave the tail light thing... some thought. It is a good project and worth the money to do the work that was done. (fiberglass and paint work+light assemblies and wiring)
However, I'm considering..............Less Work...........and "Less cost".
-My goal is brighter LED lights for Safety, not looks.
-Not energy efficiency(rear lights are on while engine is running...so I'm not saving a battery!..therefore: MY ONLY GOAL IS BRIGHTNESS.)
-Brightness is the goal... no need while engine is running for energy efficiency..etc.
- $300 or $2000. ? for LED safe and bright tail lights?
yeah, I'm frugal and YES, the custom look from factory or Exteme is a WOW factor!
$300 or maybe a tad less for basic LED Tail Light Replacement that seems maybe possible for so many of us/that we can do at home/ or have a local shop upgrade this for us/ vs. $2000 for custom mods. (If i can, I'll take the $300 scenario and really think...it's a viable option to many of the folks on this forum reading silently.)
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Dave, I'm not sure where your comments on 'service' trucks were meant to interject something here. Please comment more.
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Monti, You hit a nail on the head with your comments and I do not know if MY coach is wired as is yours, but it seems to be. However, I'm 200 miles away from mine at the time. There IS a device like this...aparently wired in for the sake or a toad or trailer, but... I had considered this a subject to be considered 'later' and not to weigh down on this original subject.
I suspect, FT coaches from 95 to 01 can all benefit from information on this subject...but i'm a newbie as you say...and just growing into this... Not many answers, but still many questions.
Stay well, keep a smile, ron
Yes, somewhere thru the story, I missed the 3-2 wire converter for the toad. So guess I can not add much to this confusion.
Excuse please.
No problem Dave...I'm confused at least half the time and that's why I asked the original questions!
I was just hoping, someone in the 'back round' had done this job and had kept notes.
Ron sent you an e mail re wiring of LED lights
John H
John,
I know this was three years ago, but your message was the last one in the thread. For that reason, I assume whatever you sent Ron solved the problem he identified.
When you get back home, would you please try to find it and send it to me too?
Thanks,
Trent