Discovery 3 LED trailer lights

**flotty1974** · 21st January 2013, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Why the rolling smiley?

People who fit LEDs to save power are the

...

LEDs are for reliability and intensity.. Nothing more

Trying to 'save power' on a vehicle really is a total waste with a modern vehicle...

Sorry I should have explained myself a little more, he kept putting a resistor on each light instead of putting one on the circuit so he has 12 different resistors around his car.

**Graeme** · 21st January 2013, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ashes

Can anyone else confirm Redback's observation that having the headlights on changes the behaviour of the LED's on the trailer? I would be happy to use this as a workaround if it as reliable.

I haven't yet but certainly will when I replace the lights on my van which I've been meaning to do for some time. I drive with my lights on anyway so if it works then great!

**Graeme** · 21st January 2013, 06:29 PM

Led van/trailer lights work with my D4 with or without the headlights on but the reversing sensors are not disabled nor does the trailer indicator work in either case. I'll fit a resistor to the blinker wire for each cluster to know that power is getting to the cluster which should both operate the trailer indicator and cancel the reversing sensors.

**LandieMan** · 21st January 2013, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Geedublya

Why do you need 3, D3 only needs 1 x resistor and relay on each indicator circuit.

D4 (as I understand it) needs 1 x resistor on each indicator circuit.

I'm not 100% sure that I do need 3. I have a L322 2005 and I noticed that not only both indicators were flickering but the tail light (or might have been the brake light) was flickering too. I'm therefore wondering then if the L322 monitors the tail lights too?? From the previous posts it appears the D3/D4 only monitors the indicators.

In saying that, if it is the tail lights that are flickering, one solution to stop it is to always drive with the headlights on.

Cheers, Landieman

**Grappler** · 21st January 2013, 07:14 PM

I have just hooked my led trailer (without my home made pulse busta- see post earlier in this thread) and on RRS the indicators on the trailer still pulse with the headlights on

There are two issues being discussed here.

One is the vehicle sensing the trailer is attached. The vehicle will invoke towing mode when the load of a 21w globe is detected. This allows the vehicle to defeat the reverse sensor as well as other traction and body control functions,that are normally defeated when towing as well as activate the trailer indicator on the dash.The solution for this is a resistor in each indicator circuit to match the wattage of a standard 21w trailer indicator globe.

Two is the trailer leds pulsing.
This is caused by the HS Can bus scanning to see if a trailer is connected.
A normal globe is unaffected by this, but a led is sensitve to the scanning and pulses. The solution for this is to isolate the Canbus to the trailer with a relay

**Graeme** · 21st January 2013, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Grappler

This is caused by the HS Can bus scanning to see if a trailer is connected.
A normal globe is unaffected by this, but a led is sensitve to the scanning and pulses. The solution for this is to isolate the Canbus to the trailer with a relay

Its got nothing to do with the HS canbus. The flashing is done by the BCU on the trailer blinker power circuits.

**gghaggis** · 22nd January 2013, 12:57 PM

Gentlemen,

Please re-read posts #73 and #81 in this thread. Lets not rehash everything again in the same thread !!!

Cheers,

Gordon

**LandieMan** · 22nd January 2013, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by gghaggis

Gentlemen,

Please re-read posts #73 and #81 in this thread. Lets not rehash everything again in the same thread !!!

Cheers,

Gordon

Thanks Gordon. Those posts do provide a good summary.

Does a 2005 L322 behave the same as the D3 or D4?

Cheers, LandieMan

**gghaggis** · 22nd January 2013, 02:41 PM

Should be similar to a D3

Cheers,

Gordon

**But 'n' Ben** · 23rd January 2013, 12:09 PM

MY11 D4 Modification.
Hi Gordon, much confusion on this subject on this thread, and for several reasons.
Differing levels of knowledge.
Differing levels of Engineering.
Different Models discussed, D3,D4,RRS etc;
Finally, how thick is your wallet? Here is my 'Two Bobs' worth.
I read through the complete 'Thread', and having picked up, specifically, on your inputs, I purchased just one, 12V 21W Resistor, NARVA from Repco, cost $17.99.
Before fitting, I did a test, using a 21W bulb, and found that, if placed across either Left, or Right indicator circuit, ( I tried the Right first ) the car detected this load, and disabled:-
The Rear parking sensors.
The automatic raising of the Suspension when selecting Rock Crawl, and engaging Low Range.
And I assume that Sway Control would be activated, along with Remapping of the Gearbox.
The green trailer icon in the RPM gauge flashed in unison with the main Flasher arrow, but here is the 'Rub'. The trailer icon only flashes on the side that the test bulb, or Resistor is fitted.
I conclude that, although the Automatic bits of Magic are Enabled/Disabled, when only one Load is fitted, it requires both indicator circuits to have a load fitted in order to get the green trailer indication.
I also had some weird things happening/not happening, when the drivers door was not closed, and this was only the drivers door, the passenger door, when open, did not make any difference.
Now to purchase another resistor and get it to the Caravan 'Sparky' to Hard wire them into the front Battery/Electronic bay on the Van. Total cost $32.40, did not have time to get them from 'Fleabay'.
Regards,
Don.

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