fibre optic alternative to trailer wiring

[the pict]

Anyone familiar with fibre optics, while considering a trailer for my van I thought why do we use relays, bypass devices , etc is fibre optics viable bear in mind I know bugger all about the subject
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[littlespark]

Optic fibre is transferring only light. This light triggers a switch, so you still need power to the switch, same as power to a relay.

 

[the pict]

Ah right so you don't get usable light from the ends, cheers back to the original plan
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[littlespark]

I see what you mean now. Using the light from the vehicle lamps to be transferred through fibre, then somehow reflected in a housing to be used on the trailer.
You’d still need some sort of plug/ socket between vehicle and trailer.

 

[the pict]

Probably cost prohibitive but might be worth mulling it over down the shed with a little bit of help from Google and beer

 

[littlespark]

Beer? Ah yes... the glass bottle makes a perfect refractor for the light beams

 

[Leyland30]

If your trying to eliminate relays, you could consider solid state switches - they offer the same functionality but have no moving parts so are very reliable, especially in hostile environments.

 

[the pict]

Apart from the usual celtic/ rangers rivalry there is little or no hostility so no obvious detriment to electrical functionality, it's just the farkle around canbus wiring I am trying to avoid
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