Cobra trailer tail lights replacement?

I cringe every time i am in busy traffic with my glider trailer and have to brake hard. There's some kind of optical illusion our long skinny trailers seem to have that makes drivers tailgate too closely.
Personally, i know of 3 guys who've had collisions on the road this way.

J4

I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 3:21:47 PM UTC-8, bumper wrote:
I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year.. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

Here is a module that will convert US wiring to European:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-...rt/C56196.html

If you just want to add a third stop light ignore the turn signals.

Tom

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 5:21:47 PM UTC-6, bumper wrote:
I installed LED tail lights on and a 3rd brake light at the top of the fin in 2003.

I've had better luck buying on Amazon and eBay than Harbor Freight - last trailer lights from them, 3 years ago, started dying within the first year.. At least on Amazon you can read the reviews.

Being from CA (years ago) I was always terrified that some uninsured and otherwise irresponsible person would torpedo my trailer from behind - adding a bright 3rd brake light surely helps.

For the 3rd brake light I used a simple 12 volt relay for the "logic". Left brake light operates the relay coil, right brake light provides power the normally open relay contact, contact powers 3rd brake light.

When both brake lights are on - 3rd light is on.
When either turn signal is on - 3rd brake light is off.

When either turn signal is on and the brakes are applied, the 3 rd brake light comes on and flashes in sync with the turn signal . . . a little strange, but it works.

When installing a 3rd brake light at the top of a cobra trailer (at least the aluminum top version, and probably all) you'll need to make a wedge or spacer so the LED is angled either level or a bit declinated. Otherwise due to the angle of the rear trailer fin, and the relatively narrow LED beam angle, the brake light won't appear all that bright.


I suggested the fin LED light to Spindleburger, along with switching to LED lighting, back a dozen years ago - - he mumbled something about lighting rules in EU.

bumper

I have been updating my Cobra trailer with LED lights. See http://aviation..derosaweb.net/presentations#trailer for more details.

I agree that;

1) LED lights are absolutely the way to go. Last forever. Brighter. No corrosion issues. My side light fixtures were replaced as a unit with LED fixtures that cover the outline of the old fixture. The tail light fixture BULBS were replaced with LED bulbs. Most/all of the bulbs in the tail light fixture can be replaced with 1156's. https://www.superbrightleds.com is a good source.

2) A HEP (high eye point) light on the tail fin is advantageous. I used a motorcycle turn signal and brake light fixture and wired it into a barrier strip that I installed so that I have access to all the wiring (versus the Cobra terminal block). Instead of a relay (well done!) I used two hefty diodes and when the brakes are on, every LED in the fixture is lit!

--+------------------- HEP Left Light
|
+----||-----+
+------ HEP Brake Light
+----||-----+
|
--+------------------- HEP Right Light

Best of luck. OHM

Has anyone come up with a wiring diagram, or found an adapter, to go from an original Cobra 7 way round connector (round pins at the trailer end) to a US automotive 7 way round connector (flat blades at the truck end)? OHM

Am 26.11.2016 um 21:34 schrieb OHM Ω:
Has anyone come up with a wiring diagram, or found an adapter, to go from an original Cobra 7 way round connector (round pins at the trailer end) to a US automotive 7 way round connector (flat blades at the truck end)? OHM


From the cobra website:
http://www.cobratrailer.com/wp-conte...3-pin_engl.pdf
http://www.cobratrailer.com/wp-conte..._wiring_US.pdf
CU
Frank

I further updated my trailer wiring presentation today. Please let me know of any comments/questions/gaffes! Thanks, OHM

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations#trailer for more details.

At 20:29 27 November 2016, T0hNIOKEpg== wrote:
I further updated my trailer wiring presentation today. Please let me
know
of any comments/questions/gaffes! Thanks, OHM

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations#trailer for more details.


John,

You might add 2G's suggestion of this converter on the flat 4
to Euro 7 configuration. It allows you to use your flat 4 car
connection to get the separate Cobra stop and turn signals
without changing any wiring inside the tail lamps. I am inserting
one of these onto my (flat 4 to Euro 7) pigtail so that picking up a
new glider at the port will be strictly "plug & play".

Here is a module that will convert US wiring to European:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-...rt/C56196.html

RO