RV Brake and Towed Vehicle Brakes Both Applied via Diodes

Updated 08/20/2015 | Published 08/19/2015

Products Featured in This Question

2-to-3 Tail Light Converter for Towed Vehicles w/ Incandescent Tail Lights

(173)

$40.96

Roadmaster Hy-Power Diodes (Qty 3)

(348)

$40.36

Question:

When using the 118158 Converter and the 6 Diodes RM793 (x 2) to wire up the towed vehicle (2004 Honda CR-V). How do the brake lights respond when both the brake pedal on the RV and the towed vehicle via a Brake Buddy are pressed? I assume that voltage from the RV will be applied to one side of the diode and voltage from the towed vehicle will be applied to the other side of the diode. That being the case, if either brake is pressed the brake lights should come on as well as when both brake pedals are pressed at the same time. Is this correct? Also, since the 118158 is limited to 2.1 amps per side as per another question/answer, will this be enough to handle the 2004 Honda CR-V brake lights? Should I expect them to light dimly when only the RV brake is applied, and normal brightly when the towed vehicle brake pedal is applied?

asked by: Ken M

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at TowReady and he said the brake lights will come on normally when both the brake pedal on the RV and towed vehicle via a Brake Buddy are applied. He said if either brake is pressed the brake lights will come on. When both brake pedals are pressed at the same time the brake lights will come on.

He also said 2.1 amps per side is plenty to handle your CR-V's brake light. They should illuminate normally when both the RV and towed vehicle brake pedal are applied.

expert reply by: Chris O