2014/15+ HD PowerFold OEM Tow Mirrors (The Ones We've Been Waiting

[badchevy]

I replaced all my halogen (or incandescent) signal bulbs on my Harley with LED lights for more visibility and function. When I added a relay to the line, the new LEDs functioned as a running light and a signal indicator. May have to try the relay route to see if that helps, but first would be great to have a solid confirmation if there is a dedicated wire to tap into on the door harness.

[Zebrafive]

I just went out and checked. The parking lights stay on at night, and the turn signals are brighter when actuated.

 

I wonder, but doubt, that the amber lights in the mirrors are capable of a hi lo intensity like that.

 

If they could, I'd do it. I have 36 hours to figure this out.

 

 

Okay so I tried doing something similar to this on my old car. I had 2 amber 4" LED strips that wired as turn signals since the vehicle had no real turn signals on the side for someone next to you to see. I wanted them to be both a running light and a turn signal but it was a no go. The front turn signals were a dual filament bulb so one filament would be lit as a running/parking light and the other would only light when the turn signal would be activated. There were 3 wires (2 of course would activate the 2 filaments and the 3rd is the ground wire) that went to this bulb. This is the same way that the brake/running lights are set up.

 

The dual filament is what allows the lights to flash high/low instead of just on/off when the running lights are on

 

Why do I mention this?

 

Because this past weekend when I took off the headlights so I could change out my turn signals on my Sierra with some VLEDs Trition bulbs, I found the exact same set up. Dual filament bulb with 3 wires. Any (single color) LED will only have 2 wires going to and from it. No way to really make the single power wire of the amber LEDs on the mirrors connect to both the live wires (the running and turn signal) of the turn signal.

 

A relay of some kind would be necessary to make the amber lights on the mirrors to stay constant on when they should to act as a parking/running light and blink when acting as a turn signal.

 

 

Here's one thing that only really applies if you have VLEDs like I do or another bulb that is similar. The VLED runs at full intensity all the time and blinks on/off, not high/low when the blinker is on. Even if the running lights are on. The VLEDs do this by only having 2 wires that reach the actual bulbs, so I wonder if one could get power from that single life wire of the VLEDs. Then the amber lights on the mirrors would work in the exact same way as the front turn signals!

 

These are my thoughts on this subject! I know I am really hoping that someone can find a definitive answer on how to get the amber lights as both turn signals and running lights.

Just thinking out loud and throwing out some ideas. The electrical engineers/gurus can probably say if this is possible or not.

 

How about installing a resistor in series with the amber LEDS to reduce intensity? Then tee in between the resistor and amber LED the turn signal feed. You would need a diode to prevent back feeding the turn signals. Then when the turn signals are activated the amber LEDS would get more voltage and flash brighter than reduced voltage they have as running lights.

 

Just throwing this out for consideration.

[austingta]

If we could somehow tap into the signal the led turn signal uses (one brightness that flashes when in turn signal mode) that wire could be run to the amber in the mirror and would (in theory, at least) power the amber in the mirror the same way.

 

How does the V-LED convert three wires to two?

[Mike1220]

If we could somehow tap into the signal the led turn signal uses (one brightness that flashes when in turn signal mode) that wire could be run to the amber in the mirror and would (in theory, at least) power the amber in the mirror the same way.

 

How does the V-LED convert three wires to two?

VLED converts the 3 to 2 by use of a ballast. The ballast acts as a resistor also and runs the 6 high power 3W LEDs.

 

The Triton bulb doesn't flash high/low when turn signal is activated. It only flashes on/off even if the parking lights are activated.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?/topic/167165-VLED-V3-Trition

[Brianstemm]

Headlight voltage supply wire is under the steering wheel in the bcm harness. Look up my posts to find the schematics.

[superchargedss]

Headlight voltage supply wire is under the steering wheel in the bcm harness. Look up my posts to find the schematics.

Hey brother... Can you PM me the schematics and I will post them in the first post?

[badchevy]

Headlight voltage supply wire is under the steering wheel in the bcm harness. Look up my posts to find the schematics.

Good deal. I will give it a shot in the next couple of days. I saw this from one of your posts:

 

Got it. Ground for marker lights is a black/white stripe wire. Wired it up to the head light power supply line under the dash. LED light need no ground, just hook them up to the grey cargo lamp supply line under the dash as well.

[Brianstemm]

Hey brother... Can you PM me the schematics and I will post them in the first post?

All the info I have is on post #513. The schematic is on the second quoted attachment from Mcnwil. I give him full credit for sharing this invaluable link. Just follow my instructions on that post to find the bcm and headlight voltage supply.

[Brianstemm]

This is where I found the schematics.

 

http://www.gmupfitter.com/

Here it is.

[austingta]

I got my mirrors installed. I am very excited. They are awesome. Ambers are turn signals, and LED's are wired to back up lights.

 

Really a lot better view.

[Mike1220]

I got my mirrors installed. I am very excited. They are awesome. Ambers are turn signals, and LED's are wired to back up lights.

 

Really a lot better view.

Must I remind you of the unwritten forum rule:

 

Pictures or It didn't happen!

[austingta]

Sorry. I was aware of the rule, and yet I failed to comply. For this, there is no excuse.

 

Better pics over the weekend.

 

[austingta]

Did I mention I have a great audio shop? I have a great audio shop. Very reasonable, and most important, they know what a BCM even is.

[jmedno5891]

Did I mention I have a great audio shop? I have a great audio shop. Very reasonable, and most important, they know what a BCM even is.

I'm jealous your truck fits in your garage lol, Mirrors look great man.

[austingta]

I'm jealous your truck fits in your garage lol, Mirrors look great man.

Only without the ball mount!