One of the very first things I did to my bus was to buy a Gumpydog trailer light converter. It uses relays to convert the bus 24 volt signals to 12 volt, combines the brake and turn signals and sends a 12V brake only signal to the trailer brake controller. I am just now putting it into a new box and finally hooking up the brake controller I bought three years ago. This is a shout-out and a second thank you to Gumpydog (Craig) for an excellently made device that I love to hear quietly clicking away back there, doing it's thing with zero maintenance and worry!
Brian ;D
Thanks Brian. I appreciate the thought and kind words.
Over the years, I think I have made nearly 30 of these units and have had zero complaints. I had one relay in my own unit that
tried to go bad, but I whacked it and it shaped up and has been working fine ever since (about 5 years now!). If they are installed
out of the weather, they seem to work well for a long, long time.
There hasn't been much call for them lately. Probably due to the high cost of fuel limiting the sale of old buses.
I make them on demand now, and the last one I made depleted some of the parts supply and I have not restocked due to the low
demand. Hard to justify ordering $1000 worth of parts when you might sell on a year.
Good design...
I have had my Gumpy converter for (I think) 6 or 7 years now with zero issues...
http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Electrical/Tail_Light_Converter/tail_light_converter.htm (http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Electrical/Tail_Light_Converter/tail_light_converter.htm)
Nick-
Glad to see that Gumpy made these, I also built my own unit for the MC7, I used the DIN strip mounting octal sockets, we use lots of DIN strip type from out control business. Worked great with one funny requirement, when you were braking with turn signal, the MC7 & toad lights would alternate, no braking, they worked together. No connection for the toad brakes. Under $50.00 for the parts & mounted the relays on the inside of the rear electrical box, safe & dry.
And got the 12 VDC supply from the Coach 12 VDC supply. Not fancy, it just worked.
Dave M
Well, I love to be bandwagon jumper too! We've also had one of Craig's trailer light converters running flawlessly for 2 - 3 years now in our MC9. Great product - plus I think it looks pretty impressive. :)
Kind Regards, Phil