Clearance lights into turn signals?

[B47]

We are wondering how we can make our 2012 Silverback side clearance lights work as turn signals - similar to the way the big semis work.

My TV is a 2012 Ram 2500 with a seven pin connector -#1 pin is battery, #2 pin is backup lights (not equipped), #3 pin is right stop/turn. #4 pin is electric brakes, #5 pin is ground, #6 pin is left stop/turn, #7 pin is running lamps.

I would think the manufacturer would wire this function in at the factory as it is good safety feature.

Thanks

[Herk7769]

Not as easy as you think since you would need a double filament bulb like your tail light to do it. Replacing your marker lights with tail lights and running additional wiring to run the turn signals would be required.

[mhartzel]

I think this would require a partial re-wire of the lights. You would either have to add wiring and dual filament bulbs to maintain both functions, or remove the marker lights from the running light circuit which will make them do dark other than signaling.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by mhartzel

I think this would require a partial re-wire of the lights. You would either have to add wiring and dual filament bulbs to maintain both functions, or remove the marker lights from the running light circuit which will make them do dark other than signaling.

The side marker lights are required by DoT regs.
He would have to have them in any case.

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Not as easy as you think since you would need a double filament bulb like your tail light to do it. Replacing your marker lights with tail lights and running additional wiring to run the turn signals would be required.

I see what you are saying with the double filament bulbs and associated wiring - more work than I wish to do.

Thanks for your prompt reply.

PS - I see you changed your photo. You look slightly older outside of the C130 cockpit. NO OFFENSE INTENDED!

[B47]

Originally Posted by mhartzel

I think this would require a partial re-wire of the lights. You would either have to add wiring and dual filament bulbs to maintain both functions, or remove the marker lights from the running light circuit which will make them do dark other than signaling.

Yes - that is what Herk said also. This seems to me to be a simple mod that could be done at the factory. I know that seeing the semis as well as some buses turn signals come on when changing lanes is helpful to me.

Thanks

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by B47

PS - I see you changed your photo. You look slightly older outside of the C130 cockpit. NO OFFENSE INTENDED!

I know of no one who is getting younger with the single exception of Mork.
I could have used this one, but talk about false advertising.

None taken.
Only one way I know to stop aging.
It is currently unacceptable.

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I know of no one who is getting younger with the single exception of Mork.
I could have used this one, but talk about false advertising.

None taken.
Only one way I know to stop aging.
It is currently unacceptable.

You are correct in that. We just lost our 91 year old mother earlier this month and it certainly makes you aware that you are only here for a short time and that time does fly.

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I know of no one who is getting younger with the single exception of Mork.
I could have used this one, but talk about false advertising.

None taken.
Only one way I know to stop aging.
It is currently unacceptable.

First or Second LT ?

[Len & Cheri]

Looks like a First.

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

"Butter Bar" at the time.

There is no "rank" among Lieutenants....
We were all the slime of the earth and lower in the pecking order than Sergeants.
They just had to call us "Sir" when they told us we did not know squat...

I do not come with a long military background, but having worked 4 years as an Air Reserve Technican (ART) I do know that the AF E7,8, and 9 enlisted do carry a lot of clout and also have a great amount of responsibility.

[Herk7769]

While I could have been a "Butter Bar" at the time, I now believe I was a 1LT.

It really does not matter since anyone will tell you there is no "rank" among Lieutenants.... We were all the slime of the earth and lower in the pecking order than Sergeants. They just had to call us "Sir" when they told us we did not know squat...

I made "First" in January 1975 and transferred from the 38th TAS (the patch I am wearing in this photo taken at Lajes AB, Azores) to the 37th TAS at Langley AFB in November of 1975.

I also apologize for Hijacking the thread.

[TURBS]

It would be much easier to add in an additional turn light on the side than try to use whats there.

Keep it low on the skirting ahead of slide if you gave one.

Run the wire down the skirting on the inside then up to your lightning junction box.
If you use an led turn marker that would be sweet.

Ok now I want one, ........
Next mod coming up

[Acableguy06]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Not as easy as you think since you would need a double filament bulb like your tail light to do it. Replacing your marker lights with tail lights and running additional wiring to run the turn signals would be required.

Two filament bulbs are not necessary. However, you would need both positive and ground wires from the light. Which will need rewired anyway.

You connect one of the leads from the light to the parking light wire and the other to the turn signal wire. (no ground at the light)

This is how you wire those bumper guide rods on trucks, they only have single filament bulbs (usually 194's) in them. you can wire them for parking only, turn only, or both.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Acableguy06

Two filament bulbs are not necessary. However, you would need both positive and ground wires from the light. Which will need rewired anyway.

You connect one of the leads from the light to the parking light wire and the other to the turn signal wire. (no ground at the light)

This is how you wire those bumper guide rods on trucks, they only have single filament bulbs (usually 194's) in them. you can wire them for parking only, turn only, or both.

So, the turn signal wire is a ground when not "on"?

[Acableguy06]

Originally Posted by herk7769

So, the turn signal wire is a ground when not "on"?

Yes, then the ground is canceled when the turn signal is on resulting in a flashing light opposite from the turn signal flash.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Acableguy06

Yes, then the ground is canceled when the turn signal is on resulting in a flashing light opposite from the turn signal flash.

OK, I think I get it.

The parking lights are "on" as they find their ground through the "Off" turn signal

When the turn signal turns "ON" 12 volts show up on the ground and the light turns "OFF" so that the parking light "blinks"; just opposite to the tail lights.

So to make this work, a wire must be run from the appropriate tail light wire to the "former" ground wire on each marker bulb socket.

Is that right? So does the turn signal find a ground through the parking lights when they are "off"?

[Acableguy06]

Originally Posted by herk7769

OK, I think I get it.

The parking lights are "on" as they find their ground through the "Off" turn signal

When the turn signal turns "ON" 12 volts show up on the ground and the light turns "OFF" so that the parking light "blinks"; just opposite to the tail lights.

So to make this work, a wire must be run from the appropriate tail light wire to the "former" ground wire on each marker bulb socket.

Is that right? So does the turn signal find a ground through the parking lights when they are "off"?

Correct...one wrench to keep in mind is if the light is self grounding or wire grounded. This would not be a question on a fiberglass TT.

[martin73]

Martin73 /turning side markers into turn signals. I was wondering about my gtown, Just mount another side clearance light assy to rv, then running a wire to the rear signal wires?

[B47]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

It would be much easier to add in an additional turn light on the side than try to use whats there.

Keep it low on the skirting ahead of slide if you gave one.

Run the wire down the skirting on the inside then up to your lightning junction box.
If you use an led turn marker that would be sweet.

Ok now I want one, ........
Next mod coming up

That sounds like a great way to do it and avoiding a lot of work in the process.

Let us know how your mod works.