Let's Make a Trailer Lights Test Box

[@bigsonslawncare]

Now this is really cool I have more problems every year with trailer lights!💪

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Same here Renaldo and it was always a battle to get the car hooked up to test them. Not now though. I wish I made this thing years ago!!! Take care!!!

[@hossdunn8727]

Great video mike we made a big one on a hand cart with a battery for checking lights on our semi trailers works great without hooking up tractor to trailer keep up the good work buddy

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I can see that trailer light tester would be a big help!!! I never thought of connecting tractor trailers. It's a pain to hook up the car to my trailer so I can just imagine what it would be like to hook up a tractor to a trailer!! Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

[@RustyGlovebox]

That is a great tool to help check the lights and not having any surprises . Cheers Mike.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? You're right Lloyd. I don't know why I didn't make one of these years ago. It makes checking the trailer lights so easy!! Thanks for tuning in and take care!!

[@janetdickson4451]

That will come in handy many times as you don't use the trailer all that often and with all the squirrels around her doing their damage it is best to check the lights everytime you want to use the trailer. Great time saver.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

It sure will help when checking the trailer lights. I need to fix the left light now though!!!

[@janetdickson4451]

@@GrampiesWorkshop It will be easier to know it is fixed though.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

I wonder what Bryan Adams is doing today! 🎸🇨🇦🤔

[@GardenTractorBoy]

This is something we have been meaning to do for a long time. Seven pin plugs are standard over here. Great job making this up. Now that you have made one it increases the pressure on us to do the same :-)

[@bigsonslawncare]

Me also👏🏽

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Joseph. For trailers with 7 pin connectors you just need to add the extra switch. I wish I made this test box years ago because it sure makes checking the lighting a lot easier. Thanks for the watch and take care!!!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

This is a great tool to have. I made a universal one that could test everything from a small trailer like this to a full sized semi. It took me 3 or 4 days all total inc having a wheeled caddy that held a 12V battery. It freed up one man saving time for a normal 2 man operation or no need to be walking back and forth. I installed plastic mirrors inside on the shop roll up doors as well. I see you are using a commercial trailers wiring code. Nice job fella. It's always good to see you my friend.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Dean!! You know I didn't have a regular trailer wiring harness for my trailer and so I wasn't sure if my color code for the lights was right. But I think it's OK. I don't know why I didn't make this box years ago. It's some easy to check the trailer lights now. Thanks for the visit again Dean and say hi to Sophie!!! Take care!!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@GrampiesWorkshop Looking back, the test cart I made had 6 plug in sockets, an Optima dry cell battery, 16 inch bicycle tires and an old battery charger hidden in a nice box. With my labor cost it was around $1200.00. Over the next 12 or so years it paid for itself many times over. It is still in use 7 or 8 years after I retired. I saw it a while back. It is all beaten up, The cart is bent from a mechanic that didn't disconnect it dragging it out of the shop. All the electrical still works though. Good to see you. Give Janet a big hug eh. Pat your back too.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@TomokosEnterprize Making things like you made and my test box aren't that complicated and it sure isn't rocket science but it makes some jobs a lot easier and quicker eh!! I like the idea of your tester being on wheels. Even easier to use than this little box. Take care!!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@GrampiesWorkshop Thanks Mike. in your case a motor cycle battery would be all you need.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@TomokosEnterprize True enough. And I have one too in a box I made a long time ago for the bilge pump in my boat!!

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

Twice in my career I build a tractor trailer test box. Complete with dash valve and spike for testing the air brakes. Its a time saver👍 Take care Mike✌️

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Marc!! I never thought of a test box for tractor trailers but when you mention it, I can surly see it being a big time saver. It was hard enough to get the car hooked up to the trailer let alone a Mack tractor!! Thanks for watching and have a great week!!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Bonsoir mon ami, vous êtes un véritable artiste de schéma électrique 😇👌et de fabrication électrique 👌😇👍 VOUS ÊTES LE MEILLIEUR MON AMI 👍😇👌 Bonne semaine Cheers 🍻🍻

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Comment ca va mon ami? Merci beaucoup pour les commentaires!!! Mais Je 'ne pense pas que je suis le meilleur!!! Je suis just un homme dans les bois a nouvell ecosse!!! LOL Merci d'avoir reagarde le video Dave et Nannie et moi souhaite une tres bonne semaine!!! A la prochaine!!!

[@DIYVariety]

Handy thing mike saves time hey. Great job

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I don't know why I didn't make something like this before. I can see it coming in handy as I don't use my trailer very often so it'll be good to be able to quickly test the trailer. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@loggerjohn01]

That's a great idea Mike. Trailer lights can be a real head scratcher sometimes. The lights on my trailer are giving me trouble right now, but I believe it's on my truck end not my trailer. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? One thing about trying to get your trailer lights to work is identifying if it's a trailer fault or a vehicle fault. This box helps with that too. I have used this box twice already!! It's handy for sure. Thanks for the comment John and take 'er easy!!!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Many lighting problems are from a poor ground. It is important to not have them grounding through the hitch ball. Most plugs have a dedicated ground. If you notice the clearance lights are blinking poorly when a signal light is on you have a bad ground. It is important to use a dialectic silicone in both the plug and socket pins and connections as well.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@TomokosEnterprize The dielectric makes all the difference eh. I need to get some of that. In the meantime I have used Vaseline, the duct tape of greases!!! Take care!!!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@GrampiesWorkshop You're a good bush (bush rat) mechanic my friend.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@TomokosEnterprize Well that's an honor. I'll be using that description on my resume from now on Dean!!! Thanks buddy and take 'er easy!!!

[@peacefieldfarm_mn]

What a great invention!! Thanks for showing us how you did it! Nice job editing too! Cheers!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks for watching Mike and thanks for noting the editing. I'm not sure what I'm doing different these days but the video clips sure do need a lot of clipping and editing!!! LOL Thanks for your continued support and take care!!!

[@khtractors]

Now that is a handy and creative devise! Very nice job! Take care!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks Ben. I don't know why I didn't make something like this years ago. Every time I use the trailer it's a chore to get the vehicle hooked up and check the lights. Now it's super simple. Thanks for the visit and take care!!!

[@khtractors]

@@GrampiesWorkshop its a brilliant idea!

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Hi Mike, nice little tester box. I did pay attention in case there was a pop quiz at the end.Lol. Every time i loaned out my car trailer it alway came back with a broken or non working light. I had a 7 pin round connector as it had trailer brakes. I cured that problem by selling the trailer to my son! 👍🇺🇸🇨🇦Roger

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Ha Ha Ha!! Now there is a solution not every one would think of!! Great idea Roger!! This test box has already helped me out twice. I don't use the trailer very often so I like to check the lights every time I use it and, as you know, the lights very seldom work first time!! Thanks for the visit and take care!!

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Good idea Mike. You are correct on your wiring colours. White-ground, Yellow-left signal/brake, Green-right signal/brake, Brown-tail/running lights. Only thing you might consider is putting a 15a auto-reset breaker on main power feed in case you have a dead short sometime. Have a good week. RIck

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? After I made the video I was thinking I had the car harness wired at a trailer shop so it should be standard and my lights worked on the trailer, so maybe my trailer is wired correctly. That's a great idea for the reset on the 12 volt feed. Dead shorts are not uncommon on trailers!! LOL Thanks for the suggestion Rick and take care!!

[@stevoj8959]

You made me laugh when you said it seems you have to work on your lights every spring, I thought I was the only one. Great little idea you have there, way better than hooking up the vehicle. One benefit I see is that if your trailer works and the lights don't when you hook it up, the problem is with the vehicle, big time saver. Great video Mike. Stevo

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I really like this test box and don't know why I didn't make one years ago. Pretty simple and makes checking the trailer lights a dream!! I appreciate you watching Stevo and take 'er easy!!!

[@MannistoCay]

Nicely done Mike, that’s a handy dandy tool for sure! 🍻 👍🏼🌴

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks Mark. Every spring I used to try and get the trailer hooked up to the car and test the lights. The black flies would eat me alive. Now I just take this and plug it into the trailer and in 2 minutes I can check the trailer lights!! Thanks for watching and take care!!!

[@LouisianaTractorworks]

That is a great idea Mike! Makes it easy to check all your trailer lights and it is a simple build. Have a good weekend! See ya!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? My trailer is pretty simple as far as lighting goes so this box works good., But it wouldn't take much to make this tester work for trailers with separate brake lights and signal lights too. Thanks for watching and take care!!

[@jackcollins2344]

Mike, I think this is a great idea, Thanks so much !!!!!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day Jack!!! Thanks. I have used this 2 times already and it makes it simple and quick to check the trailer lights. Fixing the trailer lights still takes some time though!!! LOL Take care!!!

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Excellent idea Mr. Mike! Fantastic project!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Big Vic!!! I'm glad I finally made this test box. It sure makes checking the trailer lights a lot easier!! Thanks for the watch and have a good week!!!

[@ogrocha]

GOODMORNING FROM SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. IM NOT GOOD AT WIRING SO THANK U4 THE VIDEO.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? It so nice of you to watch and comment like this. I sure do appreciate it!! I'm glad you liked the video. See you on here again sometime I hope!! Take 'er easy!!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Excellent video Mick, handy bit of kit you have made well done 👏

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks Neville. I think it will come in handy for ensuring my lights are working correctly. I don't use the trailer often, so it's good to have a quick way to test them. Take care!!

[@TheBandit93]

Hello Grampie Mike this very good idea that you came up with and created. It sure does beat having to back your vehicle up to the trailer and hooking up to check your trailer lights. You did an excellent job building the control box and wiring it all up and it seems like it works just as you planned it. I will be putting some new videos content up shortly I'm still getting my little shop organized with my tools and things and then ill be ready. Until next time take care. 👍🔧

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Good to hear from your Taylor!!! Getting your shop set up is no easy task, but an enjoyable one none-the-less. Take your time and set it up the way you want it. The videos will come and we'll be waiting. Take care!!!

[@russellbelliveau1694]

You can tell you have an electrical background, sure isn’t my forte lol. I have a trailer with faulty lights now I know how to do some tests thanks a lot awesome job Mike !

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Russell if you have a trailer you probably had lighting faults. It's just what happens eh!!! LOL This little box sure made testing the lights a dream. No black flies bothered with me!!! LOL Thanks for the visit Russell. Take care!!!

[@STTC]

Great bit of mad inventing there Mike,,,,loved it

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? This turned out pretty good and it sure makes checking the trailer lights a lot easier and that's a plus for sure!!! Take 'er easy!!!

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome Grampie《☆》Nice test box Brother👍✔Good luck with the Magicians assistant search. Young beautiful females do well in that department🖖😎🏈

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Bdog!!! Yeah I haven't gotten any applicants for the magician's assistant job. I figured with the free medical benefits it have attracted a few anyways!!! LOL Take care!!!

[@SteveRobReviews]

Fantastic idea Mike 👍 Top not buddy!!!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Steve! I like this test box and have used two times already!! Thanks for the comment and for watching. Take 'er easy!!!

[@HuntingFarmerOfficial]

I think it’s a good idea. There seems to always be a hiccup with projects like this (intermittent switch) but that’s minor and you’ll get it switched out (get it? switched out) 😂

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Oh man Dave, you're up early this morning and in rare form, but right on!!! LOL The intermittent switch will get changed because you need to have the tester working properly or else I'd need to make a tester for the tester!!! Thanks for the visit and take 'er easy!!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great ideal I like that!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? All I need is the battery booster pack, or some other 12 volt supply, and I can easily test the trailer lights. I have used it a couple of times already!! Nice of you to drop by Mike and leave a comment. Take care!!!

[@gravelyman]

Hello Grampie, That's a good idea. I have trailer lights road salt problems alot among other problems as you have seen lol 😂. You did a very good job on the tester box and stay well 👍

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Having this test box sure makes it easy to check the trailer lights. I don't use my trailer very often and I used to battle with trying to get the trailer hooked up to test the lights. Not anymore. Take care!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Mike! That’s a handy little tester you made. Great work and great idea! You can quickly test the lights before hooking up to a vehicle. I have a similar label maker. They sure nice for projects like this. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I have used the test box 2 times already and it sure is an easy way to test the trailer lights!!! The label maker is some nice too. I went label crazy when I first got it!!! Thanks for the watch and have a great week.

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

Another Patent Pending, cool testing gadget Mike. It was better being in the shop than being eaten by the pesky black flies 😳😂. Have a great week Mike 🙂🙋🏼‍♂️👍🏻

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!!! The black flies are pretty thick and very friendly too, they won't leave you alone for a second!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@davessmallenginerevival2847]

Hi Mike. Man you always have the greatest ideas. If you were American I'd ask you to run for president. The bugs are pretty bad at my place to. You take care my friend

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Dave!! And I thought you and I were pretty good friends!! LOL I sure wouldn't want to be president, prime minister or even in charge of the trips to the outhouse!!! LOL Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!

[@davessmallenginerevival2847]

@@GrampiesWorkshop LOL. I thought about it after I sent it and thought, I might as well of asked you to jump off a cliff 😆 I take it back buddy

[@paulcole2172]

I like it I’ll have to make one

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Welcome to the channel!!! Thanks for commenting too. This test box was pretty easy to make and it sure makes checking the trailer lights a dream. Take 'er easy!!!

[@twinbrookacres]

That's a good idea, Mike, for the long run. But, you lost me on the schematic, 'cause I don't know enough about electrical currents! Ha ha.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The schematic was more for me than anything Rick. Just so I would know what I was doing when I was wiring the switches!!! The main thing is it worked and it has come in handy twice already!!! LOL Thanks for dropping by and take 'er easy!!!

[@BruceLyeg]

Good video Mike. I've been meaning to make one of those for years. Like you said, every spring some of, if not all the trailers light stop working the first time you go to use the trailer. Maybe I'll build one this summer. Most likely I'll forget about it till I go to use the trailer and the lights aren't working hahahaha

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I have fallen into that trap many times Bruce, that's why I never made this test box until this year and I've had a trailer since forever!!! LOL Have a great week!!!

[@allenbonner7149]

Nice work Mike. I take a page right out of your book regarding wiring. Any electrical job doing is worth taking the time to solder and heat shrink. You are a lot better than me. I can’t recall how many times I’ve solder connections together and then look on the Bench to see my piece of shrink rap lying there. Oops

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I have left the heat shrink on the bench many times too Allen. It seem what happens to me is, if the solder joint goes well and it's a nice solder job, you have definitely forgotten the heat shrink!!! LOL Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Take care!!!

[@rawbacon]

When I put a hitch on my SUV a few years ago I saw they had a tester for the wiring harness on the vehicle for a couple bucks so I order one while I was at it, doesn't do anything for testing the trailer but at least you can see real quick if the vehicle harness is working right. I wired my trailer with a 50 orange extension cord, seems to work well that must've been 15 years ago and I've never had a problem (Plus I had enough left over to make a nice little extension cord).

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I had one of those testers for the vehicle harness. That's what I used to test my test box. I think using the extension cord for wiring a trailer is a good idea. The are made to be in the weather where as a trailer wiring kit has no protection at all. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

that works great, now all you need is a remote control so you don't have to walk back and forth, lol

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!!! A big mirror placed behind the trailer so I could see the lights would work eh!! LOL Thanks for the visit and take care!!

[@DriveShaftDrew]

as long as you already made it guess it could come in handy but for one trailer will only be used once or twice a year but good job

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? If I was to make my trailer wiring conventional it could be used for any trailer, but like you say, even once a twice a year for me makes it worth while!! Thanks for the visit and take care!!

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

How's she goin Mike? I sure hope to be getting a video out here pretty soon. It won't be this week or perhaps even week. I have 110 acres of pasture to mow with my Kubota L2501 and the 5 ft brush hog. That is a real time consuming project. In the middle of all of that, I still have 6 acres of lawn to mow here with my Kubota GR 2120 and the 54 inch deck. Got to make hay while the sun shines, so they say. I want to show off my new stickers for my next video. The ones from Nova Scotia that is.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Gary!!! This is a busy time with making hay and all eh!! But if you don't cut it you won't have it so there ya go!! That's a lot of mowing and with the price of fuel, ouch!!! Thanks for the visit and taking some time to watch. Take care!!!

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

@@GrampiesWorkshop , loved your idea Mike. As always, it was a good one. One born out of necessity.

[@EverydayProjects]

You're hard to keep up to lately...video...video...video...don't you have a summer vacation to go on somewhere? Nice test box but what about a flasher unit for testing the signal lights. Reminds me of the time I had a fellow standing behind my trailer and when I put the signal on he said : "It's working--It's not working--It's working--It's not working--It's working--It's not working..." (he was from the right coast somewhere...) I'll bet that you could sell these little light test boxes on Amazon for $40 or just sell the plans for $400.haha--an then you got a label maker---you make me so jealous! All this and pet squirrels too--The life of Riley !

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hey there Craig!! If I'm making KZbin videos that means I 'm not getting in trouble, so there ya go. That's a good one about the guy checking the blinkers, but are you sure he was from the right coast? LOL I managed to kill a squirrel the other day and then yesterday I saw Pete Squirrel chasing Petunia Squirrel so now by now the missing squirrel has been replaced with at least 4 more!!! Take care buddy!!!

[@EverydayProjects]

@@GrampiesWorkshop I wish you peace and ZeN in your journey through life and may you find peace among the furry friends in nature along your path of enlightenment. Every blade of grass, every sun-ray, every creature upon the earth are equal in God's eye.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@EverydayProjects Heavy ...