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Subject:Re: Trailer light wiring
From:Mike Collum
Date:Thu, 10 Aug 2006 16:56:25 -0400

There are two types of taillight converters for use with the "Amber
turnsignal" lights such as our Vanagons have.

One is non-powered which uses the current available in the existing
light wires to run the trailer lights.

The other is "Powered" which only uses the current in the existing wires
for switching and gets current directly from the battery or the
alternator to power the trailer lights.

Obviously the powered one is the better one and can cost $45.00 compared
to $15.00 for the non-powered one.

Either will work for light loads (pardon the pun).

Mikel

John wrote:
> I searched the archives on this subject and found note of drawing power direct from the alternator.  Can someone explain how this would work, i.e. getting power from the alternator (or battery) yet the signal to turn-on from , I assume, the common places?
> Right now I plan on the standard 4-wire flat connector, and the necessary converter.
> John
> 86 Westy Weekender
>
> The next thing to being clever is being
> able to quote someone who is
> -Mary Pettibone Poole
>