Can Diodes be Used to Combine Brake Lights and Turn Signals

Updated 01/10/2014 | Published 01/09/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Hy-Power Diodes (Qty 2)

(343)

$38.51

Roadmaster Brite-Lite 3-to-2 Tail Light Converter for Towed Vehicles

(128)

$58.90

Question:

can I run the seperate brake and turn wire in and one wire out to my 7way plug to run my trailer lights single bulb

asked by: Robert J

Expert Reply:

What you need is a converter to take the separate turn and brake light circuits and combine them. You will need converter # RM-732. It will take the separate signals and combine them so on the output side you have a green wire for right turn and brake and a yellow wire for left turn and brake.

A diode is just a gate. It cannot discern the difference between the brake signal and the turn signal. So if you were turning left or right and braking at the same time chances are the higher draw brake light will override the turn signal.

If your tow vehicle has a 7-Way connector then the turn signal and brake lights are already combined and no converter is needed. If your tow vehicle does not already have a trailer connector, let me know the year, make and model and I can make some recommendations.

expert reply by: Michael H