rickeieio Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 It started a year ago last fall. We were going camping with Paul & Paula, Spindrift, and another couple. In doing the light check before blast-off, I discovered the left turn signal usually didn't work on the trailer. Fiddled with the plug feeding the Jackalopee and it worked, for a very short time. I did notice that when the signal failed, I could get it to work if I applied the brakes at the same time. Hmmmm, seems like a grounding issue. After much gnashing of teeth and hand wringing, and several more short trips, the results were always the same..... Work on something in the Jackalopee input side and everything worked fine. During the past month on the road, I've worked on this several more times, removing my tool box and cleaning or even replacing the commercial plug on the back of the cab, tearing apart the pounds of electrical tape and zip ties, etc. Every time, I got the proper indicators in the Jackalopee and the lights worked, for a short time. This morning I tried something different. I opened the Jack and swapped two of the relays. The issue switched to the right side. Duh. I had a half dozen spares in my electrical kit, and hopefully it now is fixed. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 Not sure I understand the workings of the Jackalopee...but want to. If the problem simply moved to the right side of the truck, I'm assuming right turn signal now, how did swapping out the relays fix the problem? 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adept99 Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 bad relay... Paul & Paula + Daisy the amazing wiggle worm dog... 2001 Volvo 770 Autoshift, Singled, w/ Aluminum Bed - Toy Draggin 2013 395AMP XLR Thunderbolt Toy Hauler 2013 Smart Passion 2012 CanAm Spyder RT 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 But he still has the problem. 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 I think that they are saying that it was a bad relay. Throw away that relay and the problem probably went away. Brad Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 I think I'm waking up. The bad relays were swapped before the new ones were installed... I should start looking for a Holiday Inn. 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted February 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 Yes, one relay was bad. I'll test today on the way to North Ranch. It seemed like the offending relay would work for a bit, then die. Sure makes it difficult to fix, as every time I worked on the wiring, it would work until we were out on the road. Tom, the Jackalopee is a magic box that converts the truck outlet plug to trailer language. There's a good bit of smoke stored inside. Never let the smoke out. Seriously, it's a circuit board and 5 relays, input on one side and RV outlet on the other. Each function has a led to indicate whether it's working. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 Bad relays seem like a somewhat recurring issue on the Jackalopee. I guess without an autopsy, you can't blame the relay as it just as well might be a truck or installation issue. Electrical failures are tough to diagnose! "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted February 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 I did save the old relay, but on yesterday's run, it was comforting to look in the mirror and see the side marker flashing. We've been running the Jackalopee since early 2010, this was the first relay failure. That said, two years ago, I had to replace the board due to water getting in. My own fault, poor mounting decisions. Our Jack is mounted to the rear of the cab, where I can see the LEDs from the back of the truck. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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