LED TAIL LIGHT ISSUE
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14013
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 3:21pm
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Topic: LED TAIL LIGHT ISSUE
Posted By: foadman
Subject: LED TAIL LIGHT ISSUE
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2020 at 1:01pm
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ONE OF MY TAIL LIGHTS STAYED PARTIALLY LITE (APPROX 1/3 OF THE LED ELEMENTS) WHEN I WAS ON SHORE POWER (PLUGED INTO 110 V SYSTEM) NOT CONNECTED TO MY MY TOW VEHICLE. ANYONE EVER EXPERIECED THIS? ------------- bmiller |
Replies:
Posted By: fischersinpa
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2020 at 1:38pm
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I have...about a year ago when we were camping at the beach. Alas, never could figure out what caused it, and it hasn't happened again since. ------------- 2016 Toyota Tundra 2017 179 "The Hodge Pod" |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2020 at 6:56pm
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The tail and running lights should not be connected to the trailer 12V or 120V electrical systems. If it appears like they are and there is no connection to the tow vehicle I'd suspect a partial short is occurring at the trailer 7 way connector. That is the place where the two systems come closest to connecting to each other. Try drying the connector out and see if that helps. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2020 at 8:25pm
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I had the same thing happen, half the little LED lights had burnt out and then the other one did the same. They were still visible but not nearly as bright. The local Forest River dealer didnt have replacements so I simply replaced them with an aftermarket LED kind that covered the hole. Easy replacement. In the end it actually looked pretty good! ------------- 2017 RP-178 2021 F150 5.0l "Lead me on a level path" |
Posted By: foadman
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2020 at 10:22am
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THANKS ALL - COMMENT RE DRYING OUT 7 WAY CONNECTOR MAKES SENSE AS WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND THE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE GOTTEN WET! ------------- bmiller |
Posted By: foadman
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2020 at 10:24am
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THANKS ALL! COMMENT RE 7 WAY CONNECTOR MAKES SENSE AS WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND THE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE GOTTEN WET! ------------- bmiller |
Posted By: Dengle
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 6:00am
| Foadman & Others: Not a tail light concern; however, I have a similar problem with a single, interior LED light on my 2015 R.pod 179. It is an Optronics RVILL33 that suddenly stays partially lighted (one third intensity) EVEN when the light switch is turned off. Upon activating the light switch, the light turns bright as normal. Upon turning off, the light goes to dim, without shutting down completely. I disabled the switch and the light remains in the dim mode. It's not the switch. Any comments? Thanks. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 7:09am
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The LED has to still be getting some voltage applied across it even when its switched off, or it wouldn't do that. LED's are so efficient that it doesn't take much current to illuminate them. So, when you say you disabled the switch, can you be more specific? Do you mean you disconnected the +12V supply, or something else? ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 10:02am
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Dengle,
Same issue with one light in a 15 178. I replaced the light. Took about 5 minutes. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Dengle
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 12:46pm
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Offgrid & Mcarter: When I say I disabled the switch, I cut the switch wire at the light fixture. Thus, I would think there should be no juice to the light. Nothing else done. 12V power remains "on" to everything in camper and everything works normal. I did not disconnect other wires to the light fixture, figuring the switch might be faulty. Still, current must be getting through, but how? I intend on purchasing a new light fixture, believed to be the Optronics RVILL33 and install. The switch is wrecked at the solder joint and is not easily repairable. I'm kind of dumbfounded. Thanks. ------------- 2015 Rpod 179 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee,V6 w/tow package |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 1:09pm
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etrailer.com has them I believe, pretty common light fixture. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 1:25pm
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I checked etrailer.com, they have them, same configuration, mine mounted in existing holes. Optronics LED RV Ceiling Light - White. Model # RVILL34. they are 17 bucks plus shipping. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 1:37pm
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LED lights have power supplies in them to regulate the current the LED itself is getting so the lights have consistent brightness as the battery voltage and ambient temperature changes. The power supplies use transistors in series with the LED's to do that. Probably you have a failed transistor in the power supply which is allowing a little current to leak through even when switched off. Just replace the light as mcarter suggests. They are cheap enough that its not worth fooling with the power supply circuit unless you just want to do it out curiousity. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Dengle
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 1:52pm
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mcarter & offgrid: Absolutely would never have known that, regarding LEDs havingT internal power supplies. Makes sense. The world certainly has come along way considering my advanced age. I can't keep up with new technology. I will replace light and advise of hopeful success. Thanks all. ------------- 2015 Rpod 179 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee,V6 w/tow package |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 4:27pm
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Not young either. I have an electronics background. I could troubleshoot the light, order a replacement part, repair and go forward. Is it worth my time, NOPE. +1 to Offgrid. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Dengle
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2020 at 7:35am
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offgrid & mcarter: Purchased from etrailer and installed Optronics LED Interior Dome Light, RVILL33. Light works properly. Issue resolved with little effort. Price $9.96 w/tax & shipping = $16.11. Wish all fixes so simple. Thank you both. Dengle ------------- 2015 Rpod 179 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee,V6 w/tow package |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2020 at 12:43pm
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So I'm old and now confused. If the light is being lit by current passing thru the switch, how does changing the light make the current stop coming thru?
------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2020 at 12:59pm
We can't know for sure but the issue was likely not the switch itself but the LED driver circuit. LEDs need that to control brightness. They do that by switching a transistor in series with the LEDs that regulates how much current flows through the LEDs. If the transistor fails shorted then the LEDs can still be connected and glow. Here's an example driver circuit:
 ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2020 at 2:31pm
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Aw, thank you. ------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |