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mlynnard
Apprentece
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 17 2007 : 12:51:12 AM
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Hi,
This should be easy for the users of this forum. I want to set up my jeep to use the stock tail lights for towing. Various places sell Diodes to Isolate two power sources (Jeep and Tow vehicle)But from what I know I should be able to buy a few Diodes for a few dollars and soder them together for a fraction of the price. What I don't know is what Diodes to buy. Jeep and tow vehicles are 12 volt. Currently the bulbs are Standard 1157 tail light bulbs. I would like to upgrade to LCDs at some point.
Thanks in advance. |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2007 : 10:49:42 AM
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LCDs? You mean LEDs.
What is a tow light? How is it different from a regular light? |
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mlynnard
Apprentece
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2007 : 4:45:29 PM
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lol... your correct... LCD/LED... Posting too late at night.
Tow lights... Now when I tow my jeep I have to add another set of lights to the back of my jeep. I want to use the stock lights on the jeep. I can't directly wire the towing vehicle in to the Jeeps wiring because it would cause feedback to the jeeps systems. Here is a link to what I want to make: http://www.hidden-hitch.com/prod.asp?pc=38955 So I want to be able to power the Jeeps Tail lights by either the Jeeps systems or a Tow vehicles systems with out causing feed back to either system.
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marks256
Mad Scientist
USA
402 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2007 : 2:27:46 PM
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Doesn't jeep sell kits to do this? I have seen many campers do this when they tow their jeeps behind an RV.
EDIT: Didn't see the link the OP included... oops. |
Intel: We put the 'Um...' in Pentium! |
Edited by - marks256 on Aug 19 2007 2:29:19 PM |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 10:38:14 AM
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| Well, it looks like you can do this by using diodes. Put a diode in series with the light and the Jeep's existing electrical system. Now feed your signal from the tow vehicle through another diode connected directly to the Jeep's light. Essentailly it will look like a Y with two diodes forming the V and the light connected at the stem. |
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mlynnard
Apprentece
USA
5 Posts |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 10:31:08 AM
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| You want generic rectifier diodes, not zener. Something that can handle around 10A at low voltages. |
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mlynnard
Apprentece
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 3:48:25 PM
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| So I don't know how to read all those specs. All the diodes I have found are at most 1.0A. Can you give me a part number? |
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cyclopsitis
Nobel Prize Winner
Canada
732 Posts |
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mlynnard
Apprentece
USA
5 Posts |
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CurrentOverflow
Mad Scientist
Canada
311 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 07:25:10 AM
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Here bro, most of us like to let people learn how to research things on their own so they dont come back with the same questions later, any ways since you tried,
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=1376383;keywords=10W%20diode
some how the 1kV 60amp one is the cheapest, nothing can wreck that diode lol, enjoy |
~Mike~
Theres 10 kinds of people, those who understand binary and those who don't |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2007 : 09:37:30 AM
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| Basically what he said. Any rectifier diode with a voltage rating of 50V or more and a current rating of at least 10A will be suitable. It's been a long time since I've looked stuff like this up, so my databooks are at least 8 years old. |
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Tow lights using stock lights... What diode to use
