Clearance lights on rear of trailer: how to keep them working?

[Elkins45]

Like most trailers over 80” wide, my boat trailer has three small rectangular marker lights mounted in the rear crossmember. Occasionally one of them works if I pop off the cover and wiggle the little ‘peanut’ bulb (194) around. The problem is that these lights are submerged every time I back the trailer into the water, so they get corroded easily. Even if I go buy new lamps it’s probably just a matter of time before those corrode as well.

Has anyone had any luck with sealing around the base of the bulbs with silicone, or maybe packing the sockets with grease? I’m open to trying just about anything because I don’t want to get a ticket for having nonworking lights.

The good news is that all the others lights work just fine.

 

[Alumarine]

Try LED lights.

 

[MTboatguy]

Just get 3 sealed LED lights and be done with it, used to be we put dielectric grease on the sockets and a bead of silicone around the lens, but no need for that now a days.

 

[dingbat]

Replace existing assembly(s) with three light, LED rear ID bar and be done with it.

For $12 the problem is no more

 

[ahicks]

X3 on the LED plan. While you're at it, if you haven't already, now would be a good time to go LED on your tail lights as well.

 

[gm280]

Don't buy replace LED bulbs, buy the factory made LED lights. And then you can drench them in water all day long and they will work every time.

 

[Elkins45]

Is there a particular brand or model anyone would recommend?

 

[dingbat]

Is there a particular brand or model anyone would recommend?

This is what I have on my trailer.

https://www.iboats.com/shop/optronic...r-mc93rbp.html

 

[JASinIL2006]

I bought some from the local auto parts store...

 

[Elkins45]

This is what I have on my trailer.

https://www.iboats.com/shop/optronic...r-mc93rbp.html

That would be awesome if I could use it, but my rear crossmember has a V shape. I probably have to replace the three individual lights with three individual lights.

 

[dingbat]

That would be awesome if I could use it, but my rear crossmember has a V shape.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[MTboatguy]

That would be awesome if I could use it, but my rear crossmember has a V shape. I probably have to replace the three individual lights with three individual lights.

I just put mine right on the frame and was done with it, 3 individual lights about 20 minutes of work and I was done with it.