Additional Lights & Wireless Lights

[ittigger]

I have a Knight Hauler and an Aeromax (both using the Tamiya MFC-01) and would like to use wireless lighting for the trailer and I'd like to also add additional lights to the trucks and trailers. I would also like these to be controlled by the transmitter (completely hands off of truck and trailer). I would also like the system to control the landing legs.

I have heard some great things about the SS-Tronix system but alas, they're not making anything at the moment. The others that I've heard of, OB-1 and Servonaut, appear to be bluetooth and have to re-pair each time you connect the trailer. They also leave the lights on after you disconnect from the trailer (not very realistic). I've heard the OB-1 and Servonaut have issues with the landing legs. Any ideas on a wireless system to accomplish this?

For the other, I'd like to add additional lighting to the cab and to the trailer and have them controlled off the transmitter. Radios are Spektrum DX6i and Futaba T8J. Any ideas?

[mavrick0]

I've used the OB1 on several builds. Once paired they stay paired. It's when you want to run it with a different trailer that you'll have to pair it to that trailer. The OB1 will allow you to use a lot more lights on both the tractor and trailer. Because you are using an MFC you'll need the OB1 designed for the MFC. This is a good thing as they are cheaper then the stand alone until because the MFC is the brains for the OB1. As for lights staying on the ss-tronix does the same. What you can do with any system is put in a micro switch into the plate of the trailer where the 5th wheel sits that turns power on and off for the system. I've done this as well to my ss-tronix and 0B1 systems.

As for the landing gear you'll need to use the Tamiya setup with the OB1. Not the cleanest looking setup but it'll work.

If you are just looking to add simple lights without turn signals or brake lights etc then you can simply use a pico switch that is controlled by a switch on the transmitter and will turn on and off the extra lights you want.

[ittigger]

The extra lights would be simply lights - on/off. From what you're saying, in the cab, I could use a pico switch to light the extra lights. Not sure how to link it to a toggle on the transmitter. How would I do the extra lights using wireless in the trailer?

Also, I would be using different trailers. I like the 5th wheel idea. Can you elaborate - where do you put it? How do you run the wiring for the system? Do you like the SS-Tronix better? Do you have SS for the landing legs too?

[mavrick0]

Yes the in cab would be simple as the use of a pico switch. What a pico switch does is plugs into one of your channels in your RX that is controlled by a switch on the TX. As for the trailer the only way I could see it being the simplest is using the micro switch to turn them on and off when you are hooked up or disconnected from the trailer.

Using different trailers isn't an issue. You just need to pair the Master OB1 to the Slave OB1 and you are good to go. It's not that hard to do or takes very long. The micro switch is mounted into the plate of the trailer that the 5th wheel rides on. You just need to make sure it make contact throughout the full motion of the 5th wheel as the tractor turns. All you need to do is wire it like an on/off switch between your power supply and the lights.

I love my ss-tronix. I'm glad I have an extra couple of kits since they aren't making them at the moment if at all. I do have their landing gear controllers as well and work great.

[Lil Giants]

https://www.dimensionengineering.com/

[ittigger]

Lil Giants, can you provide more info? Do you use their product? Does it work with the MFU? Is it infrared or bluetooth? Can it control the landing legs? Does it allow for more lights?

[Lloyd]

I have a tamiya grand hauler. I added the ob1 v3.1m system to the tamiya mfc-01 in the tractor. The trailer has a v3.1s. ( part of the ob1 kit) it has an off on switch on the battery pack (part of the kit). Both the v3.1m and v3.1s have about 6 aux ports for lights plus those on the mfc-01.This set up runs about 105 LEDs ( head lights, fog, clearance, signal, 4ways, brake, backup,side markers under carriage, etc.) if you shut down the tractor alone the v3.1s in the trailer turns on the 4ways on the trailer as a reminder to turn it off. As for LEDs. You must consider the output voltage of these units. Some led light strips require a higher voltage than these units provide. I found a voltage booster to step up the voltage to these light strips. The boosters were found at an electronics supplier. They are a small printed circuit board (do not know if hobby shops carry them). Would post pics. But I am new to this form and have not figured out how, but I do knew this setup. All LEDs are controlled with a futuba sport 6 channel transmitter. Forgot to mention the rotary beacons on the tractor. This setup is wireless between tract and trailer.

[ittigger]

I'm still plotting and planning a path too.