Why Choose a Powered Taillight Converter Over a Non-Powered Model

Question

Question:

What dictates the need between using a powered Tail light convertor Vs a non powered?

asked by: Vincent W

0

Expert Reply:

There's a couple of factors that determine that. On older vehicles, very few vehicles needed a powered converter, because the vehicle's electrical system used a large enough wire gauge so that there was excess capacity in the vehicle's taillight circuits that could power both the vehicle taillights but also those of the trailer. However, once the vehicle manufacturers started going with smaller gauge wiring to save the cost of the copper plus the weight, many vehicles no longer had sufficient capacity in the taillight wiring system to power the vehicle and the taillight circuits.

Another important reason is that the powered converter provides circuit protection to the vehicle's electrical system. A short circuit in the trailer wiring could feed back into the vehicle's wiring system and possibly damage it. It's much easier and more inexpensive to find the short in the trailer wiring, repair it and replace the powered converter than it is to fix the wiring system of the tow vehicle.

If the option is available to go with a powered converter, I highly recommend going that route over a non-powered one.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Clay C.

4/21/2025

Is the powered unit more of a desired way to go if the output side is going to all LEDs and will be on all the time?

Andrew N.

5/21/2025

@ClayC Sorry for the delay Clay, we had some tech issues and didn't see your response until now. LED does have less amperage draw, but still, the powered units are better for modern vehicles that don't always play nicely with non-powered kits.

Answer 1

I can see why this might be confusing. The Curt #C59236 is a complete wiring kit that comes with the wire to run from the converter module to the battery, where if you went with the Curt #C56190 you would also need the Powered Converter Wiring Kit…

view full answer...

Answer 2

Functionally speaking, there isn't a huge difference. The Curt #C56382 has a slightly lower capacity at 3 amps for circuit for stop/turn signals and 6 amps for taillights. The Tekonsha #118781 has a capacity of 5 amps per stop/turn circuit and…

view full answer...

Answer 3

What is confusing and annoying about 6-way trailer wiring plugs is that there is two commonly used wiring diagrams used with only difference being that the brake output and 12 volt charge circuits are swapped. So on the 6-way side of the Blue Ox…

view full answer...

Answer 4

We can definitely get you set up. For a 7-way wiring harness for your 2024 Honda Pilot trailsport I recommend the Curt T-Connector #C35ZV which will plug in to the existing tow package connector at the rear your vehicle. I do also recommend getting…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Powered converters like #C59236 for your 2004 and a half Nissan Xterra power the trailer lights using the vehicle battery and gets the signals needed from the tail light wiring. What this does is limit the power draw through the tail light wiring to…

view full answer...

Answer 6

The benefit to a non-powered trailer wiring harness is that it's a bit easier to install since you don't have to run a wire up to the battery of the vehicle. The advantage to a powered kit is that it does a better job protecting the taillight…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Consult the various fuse panel lids and check for a relay related to the tow package 12 volt circuit because if it isn't a fuse but that circuit uses a relay then it is likely the relay is bad on your 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. You can also inspect the…

view full answer...

Answer 8

The TIPM of your 2006 Dodge Ram can be frustrating to deal with in terms of trailer wiring. When you short out the TIPM you have to take it to a dealer so that they can reset it, and they will only do this so many times before you have to spend a ton…

view full answer...

Answer 9

This is a pretty common issue as the 12 volt accessory/charge circuit is not always active on vehicles with OEM 7-ways. The solution is to run 10 gauge wire like part #10-1-1 (sold by the foot) through a breaker like part #9510 between the 1:00 pin…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Your generation of Dodge truck used a very bizzare trailer wiring setup. It has a TIPM which manages the trailer wiring. If it shorts out you can only reset it so many times (at a crazy price) until you have to just buy a new one. It's a…

view full answer...

Answer 11

So far so good but you need one more thing in order to install the Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV with Adapter #C51515 in your 2017 Audi Q5. Now that you have the 4-way #119250KIT installed you will need to add the Universal…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The blinker/brake lights are carried on one circuit and the running lights are on a totally different one. Since the stop/turn circuits seem to work on the left side but the running lights on that side do not you need to check the wiring of the…

view full answer...

Why Choose a Powered Taillight Converter Over a Non-Powered Model

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching