Lights power supply

[biggreen96]

Bump. I want to also figure out what these wires are before I drop 100$ ground? power? signal? I just want to repin power and ground into that black futaba connector and plug into one of the unused slots on the stock traxxas receiver. OR connect directly to the programming pins on my hobbywing 1080. (which is putting out ~6v)

[magic_yeti]

the traxxas power uinit is just a dc/dc converter which is putting out 3V (max 500mA). You can get better ones in a 4 pack at ebay for less then 5$. i use an adj. one set to 3V to power my traxxas rocklights, max output of it is 5A. My T-REX life of a german Landrover
The jst leads get the power direct from the battery, i assume that the connector to the rx only works as a switch. So that the lights are only on if the rx gets power.

[Inspector86]

Yes, the red JST plug is battery voltage and powers the 8028 light power supply, the second plug goes to the RX and simply acts as an on/off switch for the lights. I have no idea why Traxxas felt it necessary to provide a switch when simply unplugging the main batter kills the entire system.

IMO, the Traxxas light kit is over priced and lacks features such as Brake, Backup and Turn functions. I recommend the MyTrickRC UF7 light kit which includes all the functions the Traxxas light kit does not.

[biggreen96]

Right on, thanks guys. Those MyTrickRC options look sweet, but I don't want to deal with that extra complexity. Lot of customization I wouldn't end up using. I just want it all to come on when I hit the main power button. Plus the UF7 would add up to around 130$ after adding the led bar and 8 rock lights.

[vf750rider]

FYI for those with these light kits ... and even those without ...

The aftermarket external switch available for the stock Traxxas ESC is an awesome addition for $3. When installed, its nestled between the slider rail and the undercarriage pan where odds of it getting hit by a rock or stick are very slim. It's a great convenience to turn on/off the truck without fooling with body pins and the tiny LED body wire that always comes unplugged. Nothing electrical to do, it's just a lever that actuates the ESC button for you.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ESC-Easy-St...bldp3&LH_BIN=1

[biggreen96]

Good call, I placed my 1080's switch on the front of the battery tray where I can to it with my finger between the link and motor.