How to fit a diode in the 4b/camper?

Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:44
ThreadID: 74132 Views:3228 Replies:5 FollowUps:6
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I have installed an LED reversing light in my camper, which has a line to the car reverse light, and a switch in the camper to turn it on so it also lights up camp site. But being the electrical giant I am, LOL, I managed to arrange it so that when the trailer is connected (like for overnights stops), the switch also turns on the car reverse lights, which I don’t want.

I bought a stopping diode from Jaycar, to prevent flow of electricity from camper batteries to car reverse light – large 6amp one just because it was more robust.

But how do I fit it – just looks a bit vulnerable. I assume I solder it in, but do you shrink wrap the whole thing or just the metal pins/wire? Should it just sit in split tube or does it need better protection than that – if so, what?

Thanks for any replies.
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:04

Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:04
Why not use a changeover switch ?

Connect the Common to the Trailer LEDs

Connect one side to the Car Reversing Line, connect the other side to the Trailer Battery.
AnswerID: 393399

Follow Up By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:29

Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:29
Mike, that seems like a really good plan but the light, switch, fuse and wiring in the camper is all in place now. So diode seems the easiest path now. I'm not sure I can re-do what's there due to way fuse is installed, but are you saying diode is a bad idea?
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FollowupID: 661480

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:44

Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 18:44
Then connect the Trailer LEDs to both the switch and the side of the diode that has a line around it. Connect the other end of the diode to the Reversing light wire.



If you aren't really confident about your soldering ability then buy a mini screw-terminal block. Strip the insulation oof the wire then double back the bare wires so the screw won't cut through the wires.
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FollowupID: 661484

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:30

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:30
. . . . also do NOT tin/solder wires which will go under a screw.

Solder will cold-flow and eventually it will lose contact pressure.
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FollowupID: 661547

Follow Up By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:36

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:36
thanks Mike, actually Ive been thinking about your original suggestion. Bit of rework for sure but just sounds like a good solution. Cheers
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FollowupID: 661548

Reply By: Member - Murray R (VIC) - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 20:42

Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 20:42
jdwynn
If you open up your trailors trailor plug and find the reverse light wire, you can fit the diode thereThe diode should have a arrow head on it, if so you connect the pointy end of the arrow head to the trailor side and the other end into the plug. Solder and heat srink your connections and tape to loom.

Hope this helps
Murray
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AnswerID: 393411

Reply By: Member - Scoot (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:44

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:44
Can't you just pull the trailer plug from the car for the night.

Cheers Scoot
AnswerID: 393455

Follow Up By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:51

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 09:51
yeah thanks for stating the blooming obvious Scoot LOL

I just know I'm gonna roll into a site late at night / tired, forget plug and one of us will turn the light on to go out for a wizz of something, and forget to turn it off. Actually I like leaving everything connected on overnight stops too. Diode was only $2 but I may still change switch and rewire, so cost of dealing with this not great. Cheers
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FollowupID: 661550

Follow Up By: Member - Scoot (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 12:18

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 12:18
jdwynn , I just thought keep it simple.

hope it all works out .

Cheers Scoot . :-)
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FollowupID: 661560

Reply By: Mikee5 (Logan QLD) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 12:44

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 12:44
I fitted a diode to my Redarc to make the override switch and a warning light work properly - forget the details now, but - I soldered the diode ito the wires in the circuit and heat shrank the lot - it is almost invisible. Hope this helps.
AnswerID: 393467

Reply By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 21:23

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009 at 21:23
Thanks everyone for your responses. Much appreciated.
AnswerID: 393537

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