Trailer Wiring

[pocobubba]

I'm going to install a Hopkins #46255 trailer wiring harness on my I/S . I'm not sure if I make my connections at the turn signals or tap into wiring behind the side cover , I see that there is a write up in the tech pages both ways . All help is always appreciated , Thanks

[BonS]

Hopkins 46255 Power Taillight Converter is what I have. The powered model eliminates the risk of a fault in the trailer wiring taking out your bike lights. ~$37 on Amazon.

This is a great spot to put it. It's easiest to reach the wires underneath the right cover and to route the trailer harness to the back.

[pocobubba]

Thanks BonS , done in 1 Hr.

[sandy]

Well that was easy. I have that unit on both my bikes and installed it from the side cover on the Valk. Never a problem but avoid lots of LEDs on the trailer. The 46255 seems to need the electrical load of regular bulbs.

[BF]

Well that was easy. I have that unit on both my bikes and installed it from the side cover on the Valk. Never a problem but avoid lots of LEDs on the trailer. The 46255 seems to need the electrical load of regular bulbs.

Is there another Hoppy converter that's better suited to LED's?  Alot of trailers come with LED's instead of regular incandescent bulbs now. 

Hopkins seems to offer three different converters including the 46255. 

http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/vehicle-wiring-connectors/power-taillight-converters/

[sandy]

I don't recall the number of the unit. I was on a trip with a guy who burned out two of the 46255s. He contacted Hoppy I think for advice.

[BonS]

Mine has thousands of miles on it with led lights. No problem yet.

[sandy]

Mine has thousands of miles on it with led lights. No problem yet.

Maybe my buddy got 2 bad units. Nevermind.

[hoosier jaybird]

I have been reading about the Hoppys trailer wiring converter and now have a question. I have a wig wag unit in my I/S trunk for the brake lights and probably cannot use the trunk lights for turn signal purposes using the converter. Will the Hoppys installed in the bike turn, tail and brake wires cause the wig wag to not work properly? Any one have any experience with this arrangement? Thanks, Jaybird.

[sandy]

Tap into the brake light circuit upstream of the wig wag unit. It shouldn't affect trailer brake light.

[hoosier jaybird]

Thanks Sandy, right now the trailer wiring connects under the right side cover with the wig wag downstream at the trunk and all is well. Makes sense. I like the idea of protecting the bikes lighting circuits and will probably put a converter on my bike. Thanks to all, I learn a good bit reading what you all post. Jaybird

[R J]

As long as you stay ahead of any other modifications you have made to the bike lighting system the converter will not be affected and the items behind the system will also not be affected.

Jumble of words above.

Just tie in under the side cover and not worry about it.    Easier also.

[BonS]

As long as you stay ahead of any other modifications you have made to the bike lighting system the converter will not be affected and the items behind the system will also not be affected.

Jumble of words above.

Just tie in under the side cover and not worry about it.    Easier also.

The only exception that I know of is if you have a Blinker Buddy vibrating-seat blinker-reminder gizmo. It's a motor that attaches to the right and left blinker wires. I had to remove it when I installed my Hopkins 46255 because it caused the LED trailer lights to crosstalk through the Blinker Buddy motor windings. In other words, a left blinker made the right blinker partially blink and visa-versa. It was installed upstream of the Hopkins trailer light adapter. I didn't pursue it and just opted to remove the Blinker Buddy because, just like turning off the petcock, I'd been cancelling my turn signals by remembering their status all my life.

[Punisher]

Check out these two discussions:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26198.0.html

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,29524.0.html

It seems one of our members, Walküre, discovered that Hoppy has a specific powered unit they want you to use with LED's.