how to set up a deuce with brake controller and lights for civy trailer?

[Mike944]

Anyone have a good way to set up a deuce with a 24V electrical system to be able to plug & play with a regular civilian trailer, which has 12V lights, and needs 12V to power a brake controller?

the only way i can come up with needs 5 of these 24-12V converters. one to power the brake controller, one for each of the lighting circuits (tail, left stop, right stop), and one for the 12v aux power to the trailer. The brake controller also has an input / output to brake lights, using the lights as a signal to activate the controller, and also powering the brake lights when you use the test lever while you adjust brake force.

http://www.current-logic.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=36


Has anyone done this, and have any ideas? (and no, i don't want to convert the deuce to 12v system)

 

[ixpacman]

Hey Mike Harry here.
I used a redarc 24-12v brake controller and Multi voltage LEDs in trailer so I could tow my econoline 6 ton trailer with my 1028,1008, or 1971 M35a2. works pretty good with no big modification hassle. I put the nato trailer plug on the trailer.

 

[jasonjc]

Erik's has some boxes for this. https://www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com/trelco24vomi4.html
does it all.

 

[Mike944]

Yikes, and I thought the 24v brake controller that ixpacman mentioned was pricey......

i guess I'll stick with my original plan.

BTW, my current trailer has LED lights that should work on either 12 or 24v, but I want to set this up for compatibility with all trailers, therefore 12v

mike

 

[ixpacman]

Well the Redarc controller is pricey but my first attempt involved installing a voltage converter and relay to only turn on when trailer was connected. The wiring circuit breakers and hardware and time required to install was extremely expensive and technical and wasn't totally reliable so when I saw the redarc 24-12v controller I bought one and I should have just done that to begin with. I used the blackout brake light circuit to feed the trailer brakes and tied into the light switch and brake switch for other circuits and put a disable switch just in case . Make sure to disconnect the blackout brake lights at the rear lights so there arent any backfeeds to groound. Very reliable and awesomely simple.

 

[sue]

We used leds and then pulled 12 volts off of one battery
for the brake controller and led trailer brake lights. When our
factory brake light switch failed we did no it until we
disconnected from the trailer last year. So the controller
was actuating the trailer lights, but we had no truck lights
untill we fixed the switch.

 

[rtadams89]

You don't need 5 step down converters, you need 1 and 5 relays.

 

[rustystud]

Here's what I did. https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?172504-12-volt-towing-box

 

[ixpacman]

Well Rusty I am impressed . How much for one?

 

[skinnyR1]

I did the same as Rusty. Here is the diagram. to wire it.

 

[Mike944]

Thanks for the help. I can't believe I didn't think of just using relays. That's much easier and cheaper than a whole pile of 24-12v converters.

 

[rustystud]

Well Rusty I am impressed . How much for one?

I'm not allowed to sell or make a profit off my skills.