Trailer Led's

[berman]

Hey everybody

My Trailer should be turning up from Stella Models sometime end of next week and I'm looking to add 8-10 3mm LED's down the sides (4-5 per side).

I'm wondering what is the best way to go about this? Ultimately I would love to run them off the MFC-01 but I'm guessing it wont handle the extra draw? I have also purchased the motorised support legs and the tamiya trailer light set.

What are my options?

My last resort is to run an extra dry cell pack and switch on the trailer.

Cheers in advance for any advice

Neil

[gozone]

When using LED´s the extra amp draw should be so small that your MFC wont notice it all. i wouldn´t have second thoughts about wiring some extra light to the unit at all.. Except for the fact that i will NEVER waste money on any Tamiya MFU´s or other light sets after i started using Servonaut electronics instead.. They simply beat the c*** out of Tamiyas in any possible way..

But anyway, your MFU should have no probs working with extra LED´s at all.

Cheers

Michael

[berman]

Thanks for your help I would consider a Servonaut but my tractor unit was a Full Operation Kit, so it already had the MFC.

I also just realised I wouldn't be able to run the side markers off the brake light unless I want them to glow brighter when I brake

I suppose I could run an inline capacitor or something... might have to have a brainstorm....

[gozone]

Just use a servo-extension cord to transfer extra power to your trailer. (i do this also). Cut the extension cord in half, remove one wire from both halves, (the white one for instance), connect one half to the marker-light output on your MFU, and run it out the back of your cab. Then, wire up the LED´s on your trailer, and connect these to the other half of the extension cord, so now, when you have connected the plugs, your orange sidemarkers on your trailer will ight up, when you turn on the rooflights on your truck. Just remember to check the output-voltage before connecting your new system first time. The voltage SHOULD match, but just in case, it´s better to do a double-check first. .

Also, SHOULD you want to, you can keep all 3 wires in the cord, and in this manner, you will be able to mount reversing lights on your trailer also, using the same positive terminal for both systems, but seperate negative terminals. (Just be sure the LED´s are controlled over the negative ternminal, which they are on Servonaut-systems, with all-common positive wiring). Also remember that white LED´s require more vlots than the orange ones.

Cheers..

Michael

[fatboyslim]

Thanks for your help I would consider a Servonaut but my tractor unit was a Full Operation Kit, so it already had the MFC.

I also just realised I wouldn't be able to run the side markers off the brake light unless I want them to glow brighter when I brake

I suppose I could run an inline capacitor or something... might have to have a brainstorm....

Capacitor wouldn't do any good

Easiest way would be to use a reed relay

Wire the relay into the rear light circuit so when the lights are switched on the relay switches on

Even when the brake lights come on the extra volts will just be used by the relay

You'll need to wire the extra lights through the relay and provide an extra power supply to the lights

9v battery is easy to hide but you will need resistors to avoid burning out the led's

[berman]

Ok thanks for the help guys. I'll sort out mounting the LED's first and decide which way I want to go from there, I have other stuff to do to the trailer first, also will go to my local electronics store and see what's available.

Regards

Neil