Dim LED Trailer Lights When Connected To A Tesla Model S

Question:

Hello, Just installed a flat 4 pin connector directly connect to the current Tesla light wiring that does not have enough electricity for old style light, but able to light up the LED bulb but still fairly dim. I wonder is there way to add some power to the flat 4 pin connection for example from the cigrette lighter socket, or add some aux battery to the trailer to ensure enough power? Thanks!

asked by: Zhen

Expert Reply:

I do have an option for you but it will not work to use the 12V cigarette lighter plug or auxiliary battery to power the trailer lights because that pulls power from the vehicle's battery as well. You want to make sure you are using a wiring harness with a converter and a power wire to the vehicle's battery like part # 119250KIT. If the wiring harness you are using does not have a powered wire to the battery then the LED lights will not illuminate properly.

If you are using a wiring harness with a converter and power wire to the battery, assuming the ground is good and the power wire is properly connected, the issue is not that the Tesla doesn't have enough power or electricity to power the lights but LED bulbs draw so little power that the Tesla does not recognize that the lights are there.

It is a good idea to make sure the ground on the trailer connector is ground to a clean bare metal surface of the frame. If your grounds okay, you can add Diamond LED Light Bulb Load-Resistor Kit part # DI34ZR to the trailer wiring to provide more load on the affected circuits.

expert reply by: Heather A