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Lights for Trailers to meet latest regs

  • 02-03-2016 4:04pm
    #1
    PN14
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 364 ✭✭


    Think of upgrading trailers, cattle trailer & bale trailer, run behind tractor with new lights to include front & rear marker lights and running lights.

    Currently both are working off light boards.

    What is needed to run say side LED lights & front & rear marker lights from the main cable rear lights. Do you just connect/splice side lights in to main wire for the driving lights or are there special replay switches or the like required.

    Really no nothing about this but would like to make the trailers a bit more legal. There is no motor electrician local to us at home so not practicable to take the trailers to get kitted out somewhere. It will have to be a DIY job.


Comments

  • #2
    TrailerBob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭TrailerBob


    It's fairly straightforward. The wiring for the standard lights should be up to the job as LEDs use far less power than normal bulbs. You could fit a towing relay but I don't think it's needed unless you will have a large power draw from the trailer socket.
    Buy the LED light units and side markers from your local agri shop. Get the required length of 7 core cable, a junction box and a plug top. Wiring diagrams available online are simple, and colour coded.

    7-wire-trailer-wiring.jpg

    White is the earth, yellow and green are indicators, black and brown are tails, red is brakes and blue is fogs

    The light units will also be sealed, with 4 cables usually sticking out the back. The side markers go in series with the tail lamps. Connect your 7 core up to these, preferably solder and heat shrink - it'll last longer. Otherwise some insulated bullet connections will get you by. Don't use scotchlocks on external wiring.

    Glad to see you're taking a proactive approach to lighting. It's shocking how many trailers are poorly lit or completely unlit


  • #3
    Silvera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,033 ✭✭✭Silvera


    If you are using a modern tractor I would suggest that you fit an electrical towing relay as modern electrics in vehicles can be damaged otherwise.

    I looked into this when I fitted a towbar to my car a year ago....and I ended up getting a towing relay wired in at a local exhaust/tyre centre (who also fit towbars). The cost of having the regulator supplied and fitted was €75.


    Incidentially, speaking of farm machinery, farm trailers, etc, imho I think the RSA should have also introduced 'slow vehicle' warning triangles for work vehicles. These have been in use in Europe, Canada, etc for many years. They are basically reflective triangular shaped signs which are fitted to the rear of tractors, trailers, etc to warn following motorists that the vehicle ahead is a 'slow moving vehicle'.

    Link to Canadian site -
    http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/vehicles/slow-moving-vehicle-sign.shtml


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