Can Yellow and Green Trailer Tail Light Wiring Be Combined For Lighted Hitch Cover?

Question:

I am revamping a lighted hitch cover no trailer with ONE 1157 bulb and socket. Running lights and brake/signal lights. My question is, can I connect both green right signal/brake and yellow left signal/brake wires together at this bulb so that it illuminates brightly when the brakes or EITHER not just one signal are active? Or will this left and right signal connection cause back-feed back to the truck causing both of its signals to flash simultaneously? Thanks.

asked by: Ian

Expert Reply:

You will need to use 2 Diodes # RM-690 to prevent the electrical back-feeding when you combine the yellow and green turn signal/brake light wires. Combining these wires will not create any brighter light on the 1157 Bulb # A1157B since its output is simply determined by the filament inside the bulb. A better Idea may be to use 2 of the LED's # DI52VR which will operate much cooler than the single bulb and also put out more light. Then you would be able to wire it without the diodes making it an easier conversion.

expert reply by: Bud M