Powering Third Brake Light on a 1985 Scamper Truck Bed Pop-Up Camper

Published 08/26/2014

Question:

I am rewiring the clearance lights on a 1985 Scamper pickup pop up camper. I have noticed several semi trailers that have brake only lights in the area of the center 3 80 inch clearance lights. Thats great when you are 3 cars back and cant see the normal brake lights. I have a brake only light in the back window. Could I cut the brake controller wire and splice in that window light? Otherwise the lights are brake and turn signal. Or could the brake controller light work? I would want to put a brake light next to the 3 normal lights.

asked by: George K

Expert Reply:

The wire that attaches to the red wire on a brake controller is a dedicated brake light only wire so it could work. But I would not use it for a light and a brake controller at the same time since it is not meant to have the extra draw on it.

Another option is to take a combined circuit with brake light and turn signal and use a converter such as # 118158. The output side would provide a red, brake light only wire.

I have had customers tell me that you would need both the green and yellow input wires connected to combined circuits in order for the unit to function properly. And it has to be grounded to a clean and corrosion free bare metal surface. The yellow and green output wires will not be used and you can cap/tape them up and stow them out of the way.

expert reply by: Michael H