Can a Trailer Clearance Light be Used as a Motorcycle Tail Light
Question:
I recently purchased this product with the hopes of turning it into a tail light for a motorcycle restoration project that I am working on. However, upon closer inspection I realized that it only has 1 wire for power as opposed to the 3 most tail lights have. Now I understand that no wire for ground is needed as it is grounded through the mounting hardware but, would it be possible to modify this light in any way to add the second wire needed to successfully use it as a tail light? Perhaps soldering another wire to the internal post opposite of where the manufacturers power line is connected, then using each as a positive or negative? Or could I simply splice the original power wire into 2 separate ones?
asked by: Justin
Expert Reply:
The issue is that trailers have a separate circuit that just does running lights which is what this clearance light, # 425800, would tie into. It only has that one function so it only has the 1 wire. A motorcycle generally has a bulb that will function as a brake light and as running lights with the turn signals being separate.
You could potentially attach the one power wire on the light to both circuits on the motorcycle however the bulbs only have one function so they would not get brighter when applying the brake and you could see some back feeding from one circuit to the other.
A light like # ST31RB could work. The black wire is for the running lights and the red wire for brake lights in this case. This is the closest tail light in size to the one you referenced.
Products Referenced in This Question
Optronics Trailer Tail Light - Weatherproof - Stop, Turn, Tail - Incandescent - Red Lens
- Trailer Lights
- Tail Lights
- Stop/Turn/Tail
- Rectangle
- Surface Mount
- Non-Submersible Lights
- Incandescent Light
- 4-9/16L x 2-1/2W Inch
- Red
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Peterson Double Bullseye Clearance and Side Marker Trailer Light - 2 Bulbs - Red Lens
- Trailer Lights
- Clearance Lights
- Rear Clearance
- Rectangle
- Surface Mount
- Non-Submersible Lights
- Incandescent Light
- 4L x 2W Inch
- Red
- Peterson
more information >
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