Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Trailer lights repair, Ifor Williams etc.

Comments

  • #2
    Pussyhands
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    Youtube has a load of good things but it's annoying when you can't find a video explaining what you want.

    I'm trying to learn the theory of wiring trailer lights. I think it's a 7 core plug? So the socket goes to the junction box. Does that mean all 7 wires are then put to a terminal in the junction box? And then each terminal has a single wire going to the appropriate light?

    Then each light has a ground wire from the "return/neutral" side of the light which is all connected back to the ground terminal? Would you be running 7 core cable for all wires even though only the one colour wire would be used? Does the ground terminal then have to be welded onto a metal part of the trailer?

    I'd love if there was places you could learn this type of DIY stuff.



  • #3
    minerleague
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭minerleague


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118968286#Comment_118968286

    Sorry you lost calf like that, 7 core wire from car to junction box on trailer, line of connectors in junction box for each of the 7 incoming wires, 2 wire cable then out to each light, 1 from correct row out and 1 return to earth row



  • #4
    Pussyhands
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969194#Comment_118969194

    So my theory was right. lol

    So I guess there's like...3 way joins to say connect the left brake light to the right brake light. Is it easy to use heat shrink for that or would another junction box be more common?



  • #5
    Pussyhands
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,239 ✭✭✭Pussyhands


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118981533#Comment_118981533

    Great info! Legend!

    The ground attached to the chassis, is that just a wire from the ground terminal in the junction box welded onto the chassis?



  • #6
    blue5000
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,843 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Pulled these from chit chat to make them easier to find in future. Thanks to all who contributed.

    FM what do you recommend to actually join the wires, are the screw connectors ok? What are you like on Fiat tractors? Only thing working on ours is the left indicator and starter. Headlights work when they are plugged in at the back of the light whether the switch is on or off. Don't know where to start looking.

    PH, I agree, a basic vehicle diy electrical course is badly needed, even how to use a multi meter videos on youtube get too complicated for me anyway.

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Advertisement
  • #7
    orm0nd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭orm0nd


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118982459#Comment_118982459

    if you want a permanent connection that wont give trouble in years to come, solder the connections and seal with glue coated heat shrink

    I have also thrown away the stupid junction boxes that IF insist on using and use soldered joints there, no more messing with multi meter at 6 am with a loaded box when you find you have no indicators



  • #8
    patsy_mccabe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭patsy_mccabe


    I rewired my Ifor Williams completely. It's fairly straight forward. You need special wire which is oil resistant. I also used IP60 rated junction boxes. I used wire ferules crimped onto thr end of all wires. Follow the attached wiring diagram. Remember that every light is essentially working off the battery when operated, so each bulb has a positive (+12V DC) and an earth.

    The White is the common Earth. I don't think you connect any earth to the trailer body. I didn't anyway. It's get confusing when you buy a set of back lights and they both have the same colour wiring. You just change the Left/Right configuration. The yellow wire (left indicator) is treated as if were Green (right indicator) when you put it on the right hand side.

    What caught me out as well is, with a detachable wire with 2 plugs on the front, you wire one plug, the mirror (left to right) of the other. Makes sense when you do it.

    Trailer_wiring.gif


    Post edited by patsy_mccabe on


  • #9
    hopeso
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,478 ✭✭✭hopeso


    Is anyone using the 13 pin plugs? I changed all mine over years ago. I find that they’re a far more reliable connection at the plug/socket and I have reverse lights on the trailers. Going a bit off topic now, but does anyone know what strength LED floodlight I could replace the standard reverse lights on the trailer with, without overloading the wiring?



  • #10
    FintanMcluskey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,624 ✭✭✭FintanMcluskey


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118982459#Comment_118982459

    What are you like on Fiat tractors? Only thing working on ours is the left indicator and starter. Headlights work when they are plugged in at the back of the light whether the switch is on or off. Don't know where to start looking.

    Despite the poor reputation of the circuits, normally all gauges and lights work on the fiats (although usually the lights are dim)

    The original headlight switch carries the full circuit current, as opposed to only switching a relay. This causes the dashboard connections to overheat and eventually breakdown.

    Brewster electric in Lanesborough has a modified headlight relay kit pre-made for the Fiat's, which connects the headlights direct to the battery and then the existing loom is then only used for switching the relays on/off for the headlights.

    https://www.tractorelectrics.ie/collections/wiring-harness-looms/fiat-ladini-same?grid_list=grid-view

    In your case it sounds like the headlight switch has failed on, or perhaps some wires have fused together. A simple test to diagnose the switch is to plug out the switch under the dash and see do the headlights extinguish.

    Those youtube tutorials are unnecessarily complicated sometimes. a simple DC light tester is a great way to start understanding circuits.



Advertisement