Trailer Wiring

[Fathertime]

  Winter project has been building a tow behind trailer for when the Mrs. and I go on extended trips.  All the metal work is done and I'm at the stage of putting it together for real for the last time.  New (for me) hitch is on order.  Got an F6.  Waiting for that to come in.  (Random thought just popped into my head - - - Can I go Darkside with this hitch?)

  Need to start working on the wiring and I'm a little confuddled.  A longish time ago I recall a thread about trailer "isolators", the little electronic jobs that allow you to control the trailer lights with out actually using the current from the bikes lighting harness.  In believe they were some kind of relay system that took power from the battery and by tapping into the bikes wire harness you controlled which relays actuated and by that took power from the battery tap off and sent the current to the trailer.

  Two Questions:
1)  Am I calling this component the correct name?  Is it indeed an "Isolator"?
2)  Is there such a brand as "hope" or some such derivation?  That name keeps popping up in my mind, but the grey hairs are getting so dense they keep getting in the way of the remember-er.

  Thanks for all the help I know will soon come.

  FT

[ptgb]

Yes, it is an "isolator". The brand you are thinking of is "Hoppy". I have had a Hoppy 46255 which is an isolator and also converts from a 5 wire system (Valk) to a 4 wire system (many trailers, esp. the Harbor Freights, etc.). It isn't too bad to wire up.

If you have any questions... let me know.

[chrise2469]

Got an F6.  Waiting for that to come in.  (Random thought just popped into my head - - - Can I go Darkside with this hitch?)

No clue about the darkside.

Two Questions:
1)  Am I calling this component the correct name?  Is it indeed an "Isolator"?
2)  Is there such a brand as "hope" or some such derivation?  That name keeps popping up in my mind, but the grey hairs are getting so dense they keep getting in the way of the remember-er.

  Thanks for all the help I know will soon come.

  FT

1.  yes and no. There are isolator's and 5-4 wire convertors.  The convertors can be passive or isolated power.

2. yes, Your thinking of the hopkins convertors also know as the hoppy convertor 46255, 46365, 48995.  Some important info here on the two most popular options.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26198.0.html

In more detail : it depends on how you are wiring up your trailer.  

You know what an isolator is  but what you need depends on how you wire your trailer. If you are going the four wire route-like a uhaul trailer- that uses combined brake and turn lights you will need to get a 5-4 convertor. The convertor can be powered -an isolation- or unpowered.

If you go the five wire method- separate turn and brake lights you will need an isolator I use and recommend the electrical connection trailer isolator.
See this thread for links
 http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,33398.msg309095.html#msg309095

Any questions fire away.  Ride safe.

[Fathertime]

What are the advantages/disadvantages between the two wire systems?  Thinking that the four wire system would be less complicated.   plus, the trailer is kinda separate turn/brake may be too much.
OTOH, I do want a third brake light.  Would this require a five wire system?

[Hoovey]

Since you are wanting a 3rd brake light you probably should go with the 5 wire set up so your brake light doesn't flash with your turn signal. Also if you go with all LED's (low current draw) you can get by with out the isolator.
Good Luck!

[amazngrace]

My Explorer has a 4 wire output for a trailer, and I'm sure
i'll be using the small trailer behind it also. That is one
good reason to go 4 wire on the Valk.

..ED

[michaelfangman]

May 2012....I found the Hopkins 46255 powered converter 5 to 4 wire has been discontinued. I decided to go with the unpowered Hopkins 5 to 4 converter (462..?) can't remember. I found these message boards very helpful and wouldn't have tackled the wiring without everyone's help. It was a great idea not to cut the wires, and just scratch cut them for the splice. (I used lot of "liquid tape" which made me feel a lot better about the whole thing.


Mike