frequently asked questions

Do you have Lamp Trouble-Shooting Chart?

Yes. Check it here.

When do I need a tail light converter (V5410) for my car and trailer?

When your car lighting system has a separate turn-signal lamp from the brake and tail light. The V5410 is an electronic trunk connector which converts vehicle lighting systems with separate turn signals to the conventional trailer lighting system.

Do you have any tips for extending trailer light life?

After removing trailer from launching ramp, wash down the inside and outside of your trailer lights to prevent corrosion of the socket.

Silicone spray the mounting areas around the bulb to prevent corrosion.

Buy trailer lights with extended life bulbs. Most Peterson lights come with 15,000 hour bulbs, which can be identified by their distinctive green base.

What pattern does the V530 provide?

The pattern provided is a “driving” pattern, this is essentially an auxiliary high beam lamp.

Does the 500 turn signal switch have an automatic turn signal cancelling feature?

No, the 500 switch does not have automatic cancelling feature.

What is the Amp draw on the 500 turn signal switch?

The indicator light bulb (1816 12V 3W) draws 0.322 Amps. The customer may want to know what the maximum current capability is for this switch instead of the current draw. If this is what the customer wants to know, our print calls out that this switch is to meet the SAE J589. Per the SAE J589 the maximum current rating for this switch is 5 Amps.

How much force is required to move the switch?

Engineering pulled a unit from stock – it takes approx.. 2 lbs of force to exceed the detent and actuate the turn signal lever.

Do you have any tips for cleaning Lights and Lenses?

The following solvents/cleaners ARE COMPATIBLE with polycarbonate:	The following solvents/cleaners MUST NOT be used with polycarbonate:
Mild soap and water	Trichlor
Mineral Spirits	Acetone
Hexane	Triclene®
VM & P Naphtha	Methyl Ethyl Keytone (MEK)
Varsol No. 2	MIBK
#1 & #3 denatured alcohol	Toluol
Freone TF & TE-35	Benzol
Ethanol	Gasoline
10% Sol Bon Ami®	Carbon Tetrachloride
Dirtex®	Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
2% Sol. Reg. Joy	Texize-8006, 8129, 8758
Heptane	Liquid Cleaner – 8211
White Kerosene	Agitene®
Methyl, isopropyl & isobutyl alcohols	Ajax®
Lacryl® PCL-2035	All Liquid Detergents
polycarbonate cleaner	Pink Lux® (phosphate free)
Petroleum Ether/65 degrees C boiling point	Diversol®
	Lemon Joy® (phosphate free)
	Kleenol Plastics
	Lestoil®
	Lysol®
	Stanisol Naphtha®
	Oils

What about ion coating on fog & driving lights?

Ion coating is a process to harden the glass and make it more resistant to breaking from road debris. Some of their other products also have hardened glass, but it is done by a different process. It’s hard to say if one process is better than the other. It really comes down to cosmetics. The Ion coating gives the lens the blue cast and the other processes do not.

How do you change a bulb on the 525 Docking lights?

Remove screws from side of housing. Lift off the lens retainer ring and the lens. Then lift out the inside reflective piece that holds the bulb. Unclip the two wires that hold the bulb in place and pull the bulb out. Next, pull back the rubber piece that covers the blade terminals and pull apart those apart (you will need to use needle nose pliers). Replace the bulb, but do not touch the actual bulb.

Is the 570 two prong flasher a heavy duty flasher? Is the sound this flasher makes when it operates louder than standard Trico or Buss flasher?

The term “Heavy Duty” when referring to flashers typically means being able to operate more lamps and higher currents.

Examples:

554 & 557: 10 lamp (21 Amp) Standard flasher
570 & 571: 12 lamp (25.2 Amp) Standard flasher
573 & 574: 16 lamp (44.6 Amp) Heavy Duty flasher
576 & 577: 20 lamp (45 Amp) Heavy Duty flasher

All of these flashers do generate a sound when they operate because of the sound the internal electromechanical relay makes when the relay contact close. The intensity or decibel (db) sound level of the noise that these flashers make has not specified, quantified or defined.

An all solid state flasher like the PM 5000 flasher operates without generating any sound or noise.

I have seen some flasher data sheets from companies like Hella that do list a sound level specification for some of their flashers. The PM flashers are not rated with this type of specification.

A 579 flasher is working intermittently.

LED lights will not draw enough current to make it work properly. We would recommend that a resistor (6.2 ohm approx. / 50 watt) be placed in line to generate the current draw needed to make the flasher function properly.

Can a 5000 flasher be made to alternate?

No.

What is the recommended fuse size for the M178A lamp?

Recommended in-line fuse for one lamp would be ½ Amp or 1 Amp fuse. A higher current fuse such as a 3 Amp or even a 5 Amp fuse could be used to protect the wiring.

Are LED tail lights brighter than incandescent tail lights?

LED lamps typically appear brighter to the human eye because the LED lamps emit a narrower range of color light where as the incandescent lamps emit a broader range of color light. The actual light intensity of LED or incandescent lamps (with the same function) is generally about the same.

Have the V133XR LED lamps been changed?

Yes, these lamps have been changed. The older V133XR had 2 red LEDs and the newer V133XR has 3 red LEDs. This change was made so the same LED PCB and lens tooling could be used for both the Amber and Red lamps. Change was made about 3/2006. The current draw of the lamp was not changed.

What size screw should be used to mount the 169 LED lamps?

The 169 lamps should be capable of being mounted by two #8 screws.

Is the 778A Sequencing Directional Light Bar a Class 1 or 2 device?

The unit is not designed to be the primary warning device. It is a traffic flow assistance device to be used in conjunction with other warning signals. It could possibly meet Class 2 but has not been tested as such.

What is causing my fault light to come on indicating I have a light out?

The issue is most likely with the chassis ECU. You can add external resistors. LED’s draw very little amps and the module is not recognizing them. The chassis manufacturer may also be able to reprogram the ECU for you.

Do you have any tips for installing a replacement set of tail lights on my trailer?

Before purchasing replacement lights, clean the mounting bolts on the existing lights with a wire brush. Many lights ground through the mounting hardware and an improper or “bad” ground is the primary cause for lights not working.

I have trouble running the new trailer harness through my enclosed frame. Any tips for this installation?

Cut the trailer plug from the old harness and tie the end of the new harness to the old. Then carefully pull the old harness out the rear of the trailer.

I am replacing the car-side plug on my wire harness. Which plug is car-side?

Car-side plug has its pins protected or shrouded.

How do I know which wires go where when replacing my wire harness?

The directions are clear. Peterson follows standard wiring guidelines. Brown is tail, green and yellow are turn, etc.

Customer has installed the 500 turn switch. All lights work fine except for the little indicator light inside the switch itself.

Was not grounded properly to the steering column.

How can a customer check the 5410 converter to see if it is working correctly?

To check the right turn function: Connect the green wire to positive (+) and the red wire to ground and the right turn output function of the 5410 converter should operate. To check the left turn function: Connect the yellow wire to positive (+) and the red wire to ground and the left turn output function of the 5410 converter should operate. To check the Stop function: Connect the red wire to positive (+) and either or both the green and/or yellow wire to ground and the stop output function of the 5410 converter should operate. The Brown wire (Tail) and white wire (ground) are straight through wires.

How do I hook up the M176RGB to get the different colors?

It is a positive ground so you hook the power up to the black wire then place the other wires on the ground depending on what color you desire. For example, if you want a red light you put the power on the black wire and then put the red wire to the ground. If you want a purple light, then you would put the black to the power and the red and blue wires to the ground.
What is the difference between a waterproof and submersible light?

Submersible lights use the bell-jar concept. This allows a small amount of water inside the housing. The resulting air pressure inside the cavity prevents any additional water from reaching the area where the contacts and sockets are located. Waterproof is usually associated with a completely sealed light. Competitors often claim their light is waterproof, but in actuality, their light also uses the bell-jar concept.

How do I choose trailer lights for my personal watercraft and boat trailers which meet DOT standards?

You would measure across the widest width of the trailer. If the measurement is 80” or above, you must purchase a light kit that is approved for over 80” trailers. If the trailer measures less than 80”, you can use any other light kit which is available.

Do you have any tips for launching your boat when using non-submersible tail lights?

Be sure to unplug wire harness and let lights cool down. Use lithium grease in the socket to reduce the corrosion that water can cause.

Is the 500 turn switch water proof?

No.