Testing lights without the tow vehicle

pwb01 · 05-04-2014, 05:11 PM

My camper is in the back yard and I wanted to test the lights before the day I hook up the unit to bring to the inspection station. Not a good time to find a problem.

I used mostly existing parts to build this tester box, bought a trailer plug and added a few switches. I have a 12v outlet in a cargo area so I plug in the tester, plug in the camper and hit the switches to see left, right and running lights (all) to test all filaments. Cheap fix. You can buy these for several hundred dollars but who needs to actually see them blink?

EMD_Driver · 05-04-2014, 07:29 PM

Very nifty!

If you wanted to eliminate the cigarette lighter plug, you could wire pin 4 to power the unit. Pin 4 is powered by the camper battery..

jim44646 · 05-04-2014, 07:38 PM

You can put a turn signal flasher between 4 and 3 and get the whole unit flashing. Drives people nuts camping around you.

jim44646 · 05-05-2014, 05:06 AM

You can use a jumper wire between #4 & #6, #4 & #3 and #4 & #5 to test all light functions.

pwb01 · 05-05-2014, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Very nifty!

If you wanted to eliminate the cigarette lighter plug, you could wire pin 4 to power the unit. Pin 4 is powered by the camper battery..

I just used the plug so I had the option of testing before I put the batteries in and had no external power. If the 12v plug wasn't so handy on my unit, that's what I would do. I actually was originally going to put the plug into the side of the camper but couldn't find a good place to put the non-exterior switches within reach of the light the conneection.

I didn't mention that this doesn't replace the need to test the connections every time you hook up the TV. I just don't want surprises 20 minutes before a state safety inspection at the first time I hook up.

pwb01 · 05-05-2014, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim44646

You can put a turn signal flasher between 4 and 3 and get the whole unit flashing. Drives people nuts camping around you.

I couldn't think of a good reason to pay $10 for a flasher. That's a good reason!

I already drive them nuts when I'm the only one with utilities at a campground with no utilities.

Ham Radio Op · 05-05-2014, 12:17 PM

Hi Paul and Sheri,

I have a friend, who like you, had a great deal of fun lots of years ago when it was very unusual to have electricity and water on each site. They did something very similiar to your set up and used to cause a lot of head scratching when they set their faucet/electric outlet, etc. out at the end of their trailer with the water hose, electric cable, etc. going back to their trailer. Lots of smiles and good fun! Thanks for reminding all of us that good fun and camping go together!!!

Have a great season of wonderful camping with lots of smiles!

pwb01 · 05-12-2014, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ham Radio Op

Hi Paul and Sheri,

I have a friend, who like you, had a great deal of fun lots of years ago when it was very unusual to have electricity and water on each site. They did something very similiar to your set up and used to cause a lot of head scratching when they set their faucet/electric outlet, etc. out at the end of their trailer with the water hose, electric cable, etc. going back to their trailer. Lots of smiles and good fun! Thanks for reminding all of us that good fun and camping go together!!!

Have a great season of wonderful camping with lots of smiles!

We love going on cruises too and the one thing cruising and camping have in common is all the friends we haven't met yet.