Further advice on a LED trailer lighting

[WayneMac]

Hi experts

Firstly, I want to say that I have spent many hours poring thru the posts on the flickering LED’s on trailers (camper-trailer in my case), my brain now suitably fried [thumbsupbig]. We have a 2007 Disco3 SE and have the typical flickering tail-lights and no trailer recognised by the car. I have just ordered the portable LED trailer module from Linear Electronic Design which I am hoping will solve my problems.

However... there is something that I fear may not be fixed and that is that currently the reverse lights on the trailer are not working. Is this a symptom related to the fact that my Disco3 is not recognising the trailer, or is this likely to be another unrelated electrical issue?

I can live with not having reversing lights on the trailer in the short-term but it would be nice to think that the trailer module fixed this problem as well. Any thoughts? As the trailer is stored at the in-laws about an hour away, I can’t readily check and am wondering whether the Disco should go back to the mechanic?

Thanks for advice and opinions
Wayne

[letherm]

Hi experts

Firstly, I want to say that I have spent many hours poring thru the posts on the flickering LED’s on trailers (camper-trailer in my case), my brain now suitably fried [thumbsupbig]. We have a 2007 Disco3 SE and have the typical flickering tail-lights and no trailer recognised by the car. I have just ordered the portable LED trailer module from Linear Electronic Design which I am hoping will solve my problems.

However... there is something that I fear may not be fixed and that is that currently the reverse lights on the trailer are not working. Is this a symptom related to the fact that my Disco3 is not recognising the trailer, or is this likely to be another unrelated electrical issue?

I can live with not having reversing lights on the trailer in the short-term but it would be nice to think that the trailer module fixed this problem as well. Any thoughts? As the trailer is stored at the in-laws about an hour away, I can’t readily check and am wondering whether the Disco should go back to the mechanic?

Thanks for advice and opinions
Wayne

Have you tested the socket to make sure that power is actually going to the trailer reverse lights? My new, at the time, D4 was missing the whole wiring loom for the trailer sockets.

Martin

[Tombie]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/118.jpg

Your trailer plugs are wired as above - if you want reverse lighting you’ll need to make a patch harness (2 into 1) to pick up the 12n and 12s plugs..

In Aus, traditionally we have this configuration..
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/119.jpg

12s plugs are cheap on eBay, then make a 2 in 1 lead...

[WayneMac]

Have you tested the socket to make sure that power is actually going to the trailer reverse lights? My new, at the time, D4 was missing the whole wiring loom for the trailer sockets.

Martin

Thanks for the tip Martin.

Initially I thought I was on a winner, there was a loose wire in the round plug to flat plug cable that I am using but it isn’t that simple [bigsad]. Turns out that cable is for something completely difffernt. I am just reading the post from Tombie which looks like it might be a winner. Hopefully the LED trailer module will sort out my other issues, I can live without reversing lights on the trailer for the short term.

[WayneMac]

Your trailer plugs are wired as above - if you want reverse lighting you’ll need to make a patch harness (2 into 1) to pick up the 12n and 12s plugs..

12s plugs are cheap on eBay, then make a 2 in 1 lead...

Thanks Tombie. I have never seen these images anywhere before, I wish I had seen them a few weeks ago. This should be a relatively simple fix, even for someone like me

[Tombie]

So... if you want to test the theory... with your trailer hooked up, Parker’s on... press the rear fog light button on the dash.. your reverse light on the trailer should illuminate.

[PerthDisco]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/118.jpg

Your trailer plugs are wired as above - if you want reverse lighting you’ll need to make a patch harness (2 into 1) to pick up the 12n and 12s plugs..

In Aus, traditionally we have this configuration..
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/119.jpg

12s plugs are cheap on eBay, then make a 2 in 1 lead...

Brilliant. A few Stickies including this one could be combined into a Trailer Plug FAQ Sticky

[scarry]

FWIW,and for others,instead of the LED trailer module,you can fit a load module behind each tail light in the brake light circuit.

These are turned on when needed via a switch.

I did it this way,as we use different trailers with different plugs and circuits,so this one fix fixed them all.

[northiam]

Getting a 12S plug in australia is almost impossible!


7 Pin 12S Plastic Plug Car Trailer Caravan Gray Electric Plug Socket Towing AU | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Pin-12S-Plastic-Plug-Car-Trailer-Caravan-Gray-Electric-Plug-Socket-Towing-AU/311957705055?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SI M%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D17be83a 4b1104747b9daea204eca725b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1% 26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361929452960&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)

[PerthDisco]

Getting a 12S plug in australia is almost impossible!


7 Pin 12S Plastic Plug Car Trailer Caravan Gray Electric Plug Socket Towing AU | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Pin-12S-Plastic-Plug-Car-Trailer-Caravan-Gray-Electric-Plug-Socket-Towing-AU/311957705055?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SI M%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D17be83a 4b1104747b9daea204eca725b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1% 26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361929452960&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)

Can buy from the Disco3.co.uk shop very cheaply and wired up to Anderson or whatever plug you like.

[scarry]

Getting a 12S plug in australia is almost impossible!


7 Pin 12S Plastic Plug Car Trailer Caravan Gray Electric Plug Socket Towing AU | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Pin-12S-Plastic-Plug-Car-Trailer-Caravan-Gray-Electric-Plug-Socket-Towing-AU/311957705055?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SI M%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D17be83a 4b1104747b9daea204eca725b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1% 26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361929452960&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)

I picked up a 12S to 7 pin flat adapter,Narva brand from either Auto Barn or Supercheap.

I didn't look for a 12S plug at the time.

[jonesy63]

Or buy the 12S (grey) plug from a Land Rover dealer parts department. Pretty sure it was about $26 when I last enquired. :)

[WayneMac]

So... if you want to test the theory... with your trailer hooked up, Parker’s on... press the rear fog light button on the dash.. your reverse light on the trailer should illuminate.

Inital test with a multimeter at the plug wasn’t positive, but I’ll try again when I have the trailer connected with the new trailer module. Thanks again

[WayneMac]

Is it just me, or do all Discovery owners become obsessed with understanding about their electrical systems and 12v workings? I feel like I need to become an expert to understand the difference between a fault and a ‘feature’ [wink11].

Luckily I have the experts in this forum to guide my way [bigrolf]

[Celtoid]

Hi experts

Firstly, I want to say that I have spent many hours poring thru the posts on the flickering LED’s on trailers (camper-trailer in my case), my brain now suitably fried [thumbsupbig]. We have a 2007 Disco3 SE and have the typical flickering tail-lights and no trailer recognised by the car. I have just ordered the portable LED trailer module from Linear Electronic Design which I am hoping will solve my problems.

However... there is something that I fear may not be fixed and that is that currently the reverse lights on the trailer are not working. Is this a symptom related to the fact that my Disco3 is not recognising the trailer, or is this likely to be another unrelated electrical issue?

I can live with not having reversing lights on the trailer in the short-term but it would be nice to think that the trailer module fixed this problem as well. Any thoughts? As the trailer is stored at the in-laws about an hour away, I can’t readily check and am wondering whether the Disco should go back to the mechanic?

Thanks for advice and opinions
Wayne

I purchased the portable LED trailer module from Linear Electronic Design when I hired a van to go to Mt Moffat, as it had LEDs and was a pretty hefty piece of kit, so I wanted the Disco to 'know' it had something connected. It works a treat....No more pesky reverse beeper, you can 'see' the trailer on your dash and you can feel the transmission remap. They do actually produce a bit of heat which was a concern as I fitted mine in my car. However, the heat didn't get too excessive and caused no issues. They are a PITA to fit internally if you have rear air, as you have to pull other looms out of their clips, etc., to get access.

[WayneMac]

I purchased the portable LED trailer module from Linear Electronic Design when I hired a van to go to Mt Moffat, as it had LEDs and was a pretty hefty piece of kit, so I wanted the Disco to 'know' it had something connected. It works a treat....No more pesky reverse beeper, you can 'see' the trailer on your dash and you can feel the transmission remap. They do actually produce a bit of heat which was a concern as I fitted mine in my car. However, the heat didn't get too excessive and caused no issues. They are a PITA to fit internally if you have rear air, as you have to pull other looms out of their clips, etc., to get access.

Good to hear your positive feedback, mine is in the mail today. I’ve chosen the external option as it will simply replace the existing round to flat cable that I had made up, hopefully it will stay cooler too as it remains in the open air. It wasn’t until I realised that the brake controller wasn’t working that I really became concerned and started investigating.