Camper Caravan Lights Failing Due to CANbus Load-Sensing Incompatibility

Modern vehicles equipped with a Controller Area Network (CANbus) system monitor trailer electrical circuits by sending low-voltage 'discovery' pulses to verify bulb integrity. These systems are typically calibrated to detect the higher electrical load of traditional incandescent bulbs.

When LED lights are installed, their significantly lower power consumption is often misinterpreted by the vehicle's computer as a 'blown bulb' or a disconnected trailer. This mismatch, known as a load-sensing failure, causes the vehicle to trigger dashboard warning lights, initiate hyper-flashing of indicators, or completely deactivate the towing electrical output to protect the circuit. Because the system is already operating at a low-power threshold, even minor resistance fluctuations can cause the vehicle to intermittently lose detection of the caravan, leading to the impression that the connection is unstable or failing.