How to Connect a Clearance Light with a Single Wire to a Trailer with Two Wires
Question:
1wire clearance light with 2 wires coming from train is there a positive and negative to identify
asked by: David T
Expert Reply:
You can definitely wire a clearance light with a single wire to a trailer that has two wires.
The first thing to know is that the two wires from the trailer are not positive and negative. Rather, they are the running light wire and the grounding wire. The running light wire (usually brown or black, but sometimes another color) is the wire that you connect to the wire coming from the light. To do this, use a butt connector like part # DW05744-5.
The ground wire (usually white) from your trailer is supposed to connect the ground wire of a clearance light in the same way as the power. However, lights with single wires have a self-grounding ring. I've linked to a video review of the Optronics Thinline LED Fender Light, part # MCL67ARB, to illustrate this. To get the trailer's ground wire to connect to that ring, put a ring terminal like part # DW05702-1 on the end of the wire and attach that to the mounting bolt/screw on the ground side of your clearance light.
Products Referenced in This Question
Ring Terminal -16-14 Gauge - 1/4" Ring ID - Qty. 1
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Ring Terminals
- 1/4 Inch Diameter
- 16-14 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Butt Connectors
- 16-14 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Optronics Thinline LED Trailer Fender Light w/ Bracket - Submersible - 10 Diodes - Amber/Red Lens
- Trailer Lights
- Clearance Lights
- Rear Clearance
- Rectangle
- Surface Mount
- Submersible Lights
- LED Light
- 4L x 1W Inch
- Red and Amber
- Optronics
more information >
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