Why Does a Marker or Clearance Light Only Have One Wire

Question

Question:

I want to replace my marker, and running lights. The old ones have two green, and two white wires each. Any new ones I look at have only one black wire. What would I need to do, to replace the old lights?

asked by: Thomas

0

Expert Reply:

The marker and clearance lights you have now ground with a single wire hence why you have two wires total, one for power and one for ground. If the marker or clearance light only has one wire then this wire is for power and the light grounds though the mounting hardware. When you determine which of the two wires you have is for power, you just simply need to cap the other one off. If the new light with only one wire is installed in a rubber grommet then you will need to run a ground wire off of the mounting hardware.

I have attached our list of clearance and marker lights for you. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

expert reply by: Conner L

0

Robert M.

7/1/2020

I have a 1981 1ton with the 5 cab marker lights on top I went to replace them and the old lights have 3 wires the new one only has 1 and it is set into a rubber mount what is the best way to hook them up?

Reply

Chris R.

7/7/2020

It's hard to know how exactly those new lights would install without knowing their specific model. The single wire is certainly for power, and the assembly itself would ground through its mounting hardware. I'm not sure what you would do about the 3rd function you're needing - is it just a single function light?

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Brian

3/31/2025

my rv camper has a marker light on the side and is a two wire system my new kenway lights only have one wire are do they have a built in ground

Reply

Jesse M.

3/31/2025

@Brian Yes generally lights with only one wire are grounded thru the mounting hardware.

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Answer 1

A trailer light that only has 1 wire means that it grounds through its mounting hardware. The single wire is the power wire. The best surface to ground a light to is steel. If steel is not available in the area the light installs you can attach a…

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Answer 2

Thanks for the picture! The closest replacement we have for your Monarch 5129 Lights on your trailer is the Triple LED #CE44VR. This light measures 14" x 6-7/8" so it should completely cover your old mounting holes, though it's going to…

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Answer 3

Since your old trailer light only utilized one wire that means the one wire was used for power and the old light got it's ground through the mounting hardware. Since the new light like #MCL44AB has two wires, one for power and one for ground,…

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Answer 4

The Wesbar Mini Clearance and Side Marker Trailer Light part #203233 features a one wire design so the brown wire will be hooked up to the trailer's running light circuit and then the light will be grounded by the mounting stud. If you will be…

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Answer 5

If where you plan to mount the clearance lights is metal that touches the trailer frame then a 1 wire clearance light would work just fine. The difference between the 1 wire and 2 wire lights is that the 1 wire lights ground through their mounting…

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Answer 6

The right and left orientation is determined if you are standing behind the trailer looking towards the tow vehicle. The left side is the drivers side and the right side is the passengers side. Tthe shorter brake pad will always be in the front of…

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Answer 7

If you are replacing a trailer marker/clearance light that only has one wire with a trailer marker/clearance light that has two wires like the part #MCL44AB that means the previous light grounded though the mounting hardware and the new light grounds…

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Answer 8

Hey John, we do have an amber version with the part #MCL131AC210B.

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Answer 9

For a tandem axle trailer rated for 7000 lbs, you can use either a Load Range C or D tire. Each axle will be rated for 3500 lbs so you need a tire that will carry 1/2 that capacity. That would make your minimum load range before limiting your system…

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Answer 10

Since your main concern is the marks on the hull of your boat I recommend going to the Yates TPR Ribbed Wobble Roller. These rollers are constructed of thermal-plasticized rubber which is a non-marking, non-scratching material. It is stronger and…

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Answer 11

The brown wire for your trailer wiring should be for the running lights while the white wire should be for ground. Typically clearance lights use black for power and white for ground, like part #MCL32AB, but in the case of black and red wiring the…

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Answer 12

The RV Hand Pump Water Faucet - 1/4" MPT - Chrome Item #37297025 is designed to hand pump water out of a standard water tank so you should have no issues mounting it to your counter and running a line into your water jug.

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Why Does a Marker or Clearance Light Only Have One Wire

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