Quote:
Originally Posted by geminusprime
So, the 8 way flashers are halogen requiring some beefy amps, the stock turn signals are tiny so a relay is needed for each side. My current plan is to simply cut into the positive going to the turn signal and wire a relay in between with current going through the coil, closing the relay whenever the turn signal illuminates. High amperage power switched by the relay to the amber turn lamps.
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This would be the safe way to do it if you keep the halogens. Trouble is providing a safe, switched high-amperage source for that many relays. Running a 12V feed from the front of the bus is a pain, and you certainly don't want to feed off of house batteries. If your feed isn't switched, those relay coils draw current even when they aren't closed. I have a better idea, though -- keep reading.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer
l've hooked up temporary lights on trailers more than a few times using safety pins to tie directly into the wiring at the tail lights
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I'm sure there are LED replacement bulbs for the reds / ambers that would allow this to be done as Sleddgracer has prescribed. Replacing the halogens with LED would greatly reduce the amperage draw and thereby eliminate the need for separate relays.
On average, an LED bulb draws perhaps 20% of the current an incandescent does. By that rule, two LEDs will still draw less than half the power of a single halogen. LED bulbs are brighter, run cooler, and last a lot longer too.
Your upper bulbs for the amber/red flashers are likely 1156s for which you can purchase LED replacements on eBay. For that matter, you could go LED on the source bulbs as well, though source tail light / brake bulbs would be dual-circuit, which 1156s will not work for.
These would likely be 1157s or perhaps 2057s, but for which LED replacements can be had. If all 8 bulbs can be replaced with LED, you can then just run a 12V wire from the source to the uppers and skip wiring the relays. Sure beats the hell out of wiring four relays.