Thought I would post this even though it may or may not be a new idea. Sort of a work in progress. I just recently bought a new cheapo tralior hitch cover for my truck that has a built in incandescent bulb for a taillight and brake light because all the led based ones only did brakes lights or were extremely overpriced locally.

Bully Brake/Trailer Hitch Light



Anyways I'm thinking about removing the bulb in it and replacing with an LED based setup. The bulb that it came with is supposedly a 1159 12.8V 1.6A bulb and apears to be a double filiment.

Now I'm not sure how to go about this but the original idea was to stick a small square circuit board with super bright leds all over it right under the red plastic cover. then wire it up directly to the covers wires. I also know I'll be needing some resisters to keep from overpowering the leds.

The second more easier option would to find a suitable LED bulb that fits into the same socket that the 1159 bulb used. I haven't found anything yet online :(

anyways more research is needed Any input is welcome also.

 

ah according to http://www.superbrightleds.com/bulb_cross.htm it looks like a 1156 bulb should replace a 1159 if i were to go the single bulb route.

 

FOr my trailer hitch cover i have a BLue FOrd LED oval that lights up with the running lights and then turns red when i step on the breaks think i paid the 30 or 40 dollars for it but its great i like it.

 

Tom, do you have pics or a link to it?

 

Oh yeah I've seen those in kragen auto parts stores but thought they were way overpriced.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...goryCode=4020A

 

^^ I know wal-mart sells them. Or at least they used to. They were only like $20

 

Oh and by the way, Harbor Freight Tools has an led hitch light.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92043

 

Thats awesome for the price. I wish I lived closer to harborfrieght, I'd be there all the time.

 

Im not sure how much shipping costs would be but you could order it from them online.

 

Yeah I bought one of those in the first place and wound up returning it. The biggest reason was because they have the wrong 4pin connector for the ranger tralior harness and it doesn't fit. Secondly it did brake lights only, no running/tail illumination.

If it wasn't for the no running light illumination i would have been willing to replace the connector and kept it.
I wounder if there would be a way to rewire it such a way so it has dimmer running lights on all the time then full brightness for brakes? I noticed there were only two wires(break + -) going to the circuit board in it.


I got my bully (piliot automotive) incandescent tail light that does both running lights and brake illumination from my closest Walmart. Didn't see any other illuminating hitch covers there at the time yesterday.

 

I think you can cut part of the rubber off of the connector and it will fit right in. I had to do that with my trailer adapter thing.

My friend bought his there but it was probably about a year ago. He returned it because he didnt wanna get pulled over for having blue lights on his truck.