Thread: Discovery 3 LED trailer lights

Originally Posted by Grappler

If you dont get any joy from landrover , you are welcome to checkout the one I made based on Colin Pedersons design. (cant find the post). Its worked perfectly for a few years now on my RRS- not reallyneeded on the Defeneders

If you are down Margs way, I can show it to you and try it on your new D4 my led trailer

It plugs between the trailer socket of the vehicle and the trailer plug. It could easily be adapted to vehicle mounting and switched on when you're trailing leds

Funnily enough Deb and I discussed a trip to Margeret River last week.If it happens I will send you a pm.
Cheers
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

they told me my vehicle is LED friendly when asked at delivery

They told me the same thing. I went back to the dealer the same as you and they told me "yeah, most of the euro cars have that problem" but offered no solution.

I couldn't wait for them to solve it for me so I went and bought the off the shelf switched module.

The idea of modifying the trailer with resistors did appeal but I decided I would never be able to tow any other trailer with LED lights unless I fixed the problem.

I spent a few days playing around with the Ford Ranger LED trailer light cable fix but just couldn't make it work. It's an adapter cable that goes between the car and trailer and has the resistors in built into the plug. Unfortunately for us the resistors aren't the correct value...

Originally Posted by BJM

They told me the same thing. I went back to the dealer the same as you and they told me "yeah, most of the euro cars have that problem" but offered no solution.



I couldn't wait for them to solve it for me so I went and bought the off the shelf switched module.



The idea of modifying the trailer with resistors did appeal but I decided I would never be able to tow any other trailer with LED lights unless I fixed the problem.



I spent a few days playing around with the Ford Ranger LED trailer light cable fix but just couldn't make it work. It's an adapter cable that goes between the car and trailer and has the resistors in built into the plug. Unfortunately for us the resistors aren't the correct value...

Led module makes same thing a "shunt" box that plugs into the socket then trailer plugs into the box - easy no modding car - $285 drive on and enjoy
http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com/

Just a thought .................

On the back of the D4, there are two trailer plugs - a black one and a white one (assume the RRS is the same). I've never used the white one for anything, and in fact was thinking of removing it and mounting an Anderson plug in its place.

Why not mount a second "Australian" spec trailer plug where the white one is now - you could wire one of the two plugs up with resistors for when towing trailers with LED lights, and leave the other as original. Then simply a matter of plugging in whatever trailer you are towing to the appropriate socket.

I can't see the point of the trailer mounted box of tricks - it addresses the problem for that trailer only - but is limited in its value. Perhaps the same or similar "box" mounted up under the rear bumper of the Disco and wired up to a second trailer socket would be a better option.

Originally Posted by BMKal

Just a thought .................

On the back of the D4, there are two trailer plugs - a black one and a white one (assume the RRS is the same). I've never used the white one for anything, and in fact was thinking of removing it and mounting an Anderson plug in its place.

Why not mount a second "Australian" spec trailer plug where the white one is now - you could wire one of the two plugs up with resistors for when towing trailers with LED lights, and leave the other as original. Then simply a matter of plugging in whatever trailer you are towing to the appropriate socket.

I can't see the point of the trailer mounted box of tricks - it addresses the problem for that trailer only - but is limited in its value. Perhaps the same or similar "box" mounted up under the rear bumper of the Disco and wired up to a second trailer socket would be a better option.

Yep BMKal, I have considered the same thing, replacing the white plug with a Australian flat style plug so I don't have to run an adapter off the round black plug. I hate running the adapter plugs as they are just another set of contacts to go corrode etc, they throw additional weight onto the plug in rough conditions, its another thing for me to loose, and just look "temporary".

Originally Posted by Meken

Led module makes same thing a "shunt" box that plugs into the socket then trailer plugs into the box - easy no modding car - $285 drive on and enjoy
Linear Electronic Design | Home

I already fitted the wire in Linear Electronics box because I didn't like the idea of having that box hanging in the air between the car and trailer and I wanted to be able to use multiple trailers without having to switch over the box.

It took me less the 1/2hr to hook up the box and it's not held in with a giant piece of velcro so I can pull it out whenever/ if ever I need to.

Originally Posted by BMKal

Just a thought .................



On the back of the D4, there are two trailer plugs - a black one and a white one (assume the RRS is the same). I've never used the white one for anything, and in fact was thinking of removing it and mounting an Anderson plug in its place.



Why not mount a second "Australian" spec trailer plug where the white one is now - you could wire one of the two plugs up with resistors for when towing trailers with LED lights, and leave the other as original. Then simply a matter of plugging in whatever trailer you are towing to the appropriate socket.



I can't see the point of the trailer mounted box of tricks - it addresses the problem for that trailer only - but is limited in its value. Perhaps the same or similar "box" mounted up under the rear bumper of the Disco and wired up to a second trailer socket would be a better option.

If you google linear electronic design this has all been thought out.
They have available an in-car version which taps onto the trailer wiring before the socket - it has a switch to turn it on when you plug in an unrecognised trailer and off the rest of the time. They also have a variety of unconnected boxes with differing plugs & sockets on each end and they have them with tails only so you can put your own plugs & sockets on. They also now have one that taps onto the trailer wiring and is permanently attached to trailer.

Originally Posted by BMKal

Just a thought .................



On the back of the D4, there are two trailer plugs - a black one and a white one (assume the RRS is the same). I've never used the white one for anything, and in fact was thinking of removing it and mounting an Anderson plug in its place.



Why not mount a second "Australian" spec trailer plug where the white one is now - you could wire one of the two plugs up with resistors for when towing trailers with LED lights, and leave the other as original. Then simply a matter of plugging in whatever trailer you are towing to the appropriate socket.



I can't see the point of the trailer mounted box of tricks - it addresses the problem for that trailer only - but is limited in its value. Perhaps the same or similar "box" mounted up under the rear bumper of the Disco and wired up to a second trailer socket would be a better option.

Unless you have some switches to disconnect the "Australian" socket the car will see the resistance and think there is a trailer attached all the time even when there isn't. This will affect car systems such as transmission changes and learning mode, stability control, off-road height (don't think you can select with trailer attached)