Can the Taillight Converter part # 118158 Be Used with LED Taillights

Updated 03/30/2015 | Published 03/28/2015

Question:

I have LED trailer lights and want to install a middle high-mounted LED brake light on the trailer. I found the following info on your website. In it Jeff recommends using the tail light converter #118158 hooked up to a LED brake light. However, the product info states that it does not work with LED lights- please explain. Thanks- Expert Reply: To get a third brake light on your trailer I would recommend the Optronics Sealed, Streamline LED Trailer Third Brake Light, 1-Function, part # STL80RB. This can be wired to your trailer using the Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter, part # 118158. To install the tail light converter # 118158 on your trailer you will connect the wires on the input side of the converter, white ground to the trailer frame, green wire to green wire on your trailers wiring, and yellow wire to yellow wire on the trailer wiring. On the output side of the converter you will connect the red wire to the red wire on the Optronics third brake light and the remaining green and yellow will NOT need to be connected. Just tape up the ends of the wires separately so they do not ground out to the trailer frame or touch each other. This will give you a third brake light on your trailer when your vehicle is plugged into the trailer. I am including a link to a FAQ page on trailer wiring. expert reply by: Jeff D

asked by: Cass T

Expert Reply:

The LED restriction for the # 118158 is for if the converter was being used on a vehicle with LED lights. Basically, it will work if the trailer has LED taillights, but not if the tow vehicle has them. The input side of the box can't use signals from a vehicle with LED taillights, but the output side can. If only the trailer side of the wiring uses LEDs this would work just fine.

expert reply by: Jameson C