Center brake light not working

[Bill]

Ah, yes, the 264 RB does have a clear panel, which would be used for the backup light. That accounts for the Backup light input, and means you don't have to grub around behind the refrig.

It comes on during the running light test, as you noted above. That accounts for the Running Light input.

I'm not sure what TM did with the Stop/Turn input. Perhaps doubled it up with the running light input?

Anyway, it sounds like you are out of the woods, and everything is working acceptably.

Bill

[Bill]

Now that we have solved the issue, there is a way to combine the two Stop/turn lights (coming from the tow vehicle) into a single wire that can be connected to the single Optronics Stop/turn input. Get a couple cheap silicon diodes such as 1N4001 or (better) 1N4002. Less than $1 for the pair. Twist the leads on the striped ends together, adding the end of a 1-foot length of hookup wire to the twist. Solder the three of them together. Then connect (meaning twist and solder) the TM's Left turn/stop wire to one of the unused diode ends. Connect the TM's Right turn/stop wire to the other diode end. Insulate all three joints. Done.

The only remaining challenge is figuring out where to put this assemblage. The diodes are small, and the whole thing can be inserted into a length of heat shrink tubing. With care, the end result will be a tube less than 2" long and 1/8" diameter. Bring out the free end of the hookup wire and connect it to the Optronics Stop/turn input wire.

BTW, I'm a fan of soldering if you know how to do it correctly. But connections don't have to be done that way. When I say "solder" I really mean "make a reliable connection". You could make the connection with small wire nuts, crimp connectors, or other mechanical fasteners. Not my choice, but if done carefully, they work.

Bill

[Shane826]

How do the diodes (electricity one way check valve) stop the blinking, which is achieved by applying and removing voltage from the circuit?

[Bill]

They don't stop the blinking, and I'm not sure you would want them to.

If you turn on the blinker in either direction, without pressing the brake pedal, the Optronics light (in the high center position) will flash in sync with the regular blinker (mid-height on the chosen side). I see no problem here -- it serves as an alert to the following driver, especially valuable in merging traffic where the side light might not be visible.

If you press the brake pedal without turning on a blinker, the Optronics in its high center position will come on steady. Many SUVs do this.

If you do brake pedal and blinker at the same time, the Optronics will come on steady, again like many SUVs.

This is a very simple device, but IMO, the result would be a good thing. Again IMO, TM would do well to integrate this into the trailer build. Cheap and easy - and a good FEATURE to add to the list on their web site.

Bill

[Bill]

It occurs to me that the entire diode package, in the heat-shrunk tube, is small enough that it could be mounted on top of the Optronics device, against the TM wall, and buried in a line of caulk. Can't get much simpler than that.

Bill