Lights quit all of a sudden

[Olde Merc]

I used my boat earlier tonight. After I pulled the boat out of the water, through all the junk in the truck, and reconnected the lights I was on my way. I was watching the trailer lights in my mirrors as I always do to make sure the were working okay.<br /><br />I turned the lights on in the truck and stepped on the brakes to put it into gear. I saw the running lights come on in the trailer then the brake lights. I pulled away a bit and I noticed after I let go of the brakes, the tail lights stopped working. I went out to check and both rear tail lights stop functioning. Then I had my brother step on the brakes, and only the right brake light was working now. <br /><br />What would cause the lights to all of a sudden quit like that? They had worked find all summer up until then. I checked the connector at the truck and it was fine. Also the running lights on the side of the trailer were fine too. The truck lights all worked fine too.<br /><br />I am going to look at it tomorrow, but would you guys know where to start? It seems odd that so many lights would all go at the same time.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

I would use a voltmeter or test lamp to check the wiring connector on the truck. If its OK, I would start looking at trailer for places where dunking the trailer could have shorted or caused bad ground. If it was indeed a bad short, it would likely blow a fuse on your truck. You may find that after the trailer has sat overnight all lights work again. That would surely point to water entering system somewhere and causing problem. <br /><br />Good Luck,<br />BL...

 

[Olde Merc]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Turns out both my bulbs blew at the same time for some reason. Also, water was sitting in the sockets when I removed the bulbs. I had put some dielectric grease in the sockets when I put new bulbs in not too long ago. Would this have held the water in the lights causing the bulbs to blow? I cleaned the grease out of the sockets anyway. Also, how can I prevent the bulbs from blowing again? I always disconnect the lights before the trailer goes in the water.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

I go through about 3 sets of "submersible" trailer lights per season. Saw a guy a few weeks ago who made a rig (a 2x4) that goes across the back of the boat and the lights hang from it. I need new lights again so I'm gonna make me one of these removeable rigs. Don't think turning the lights off helps much. And even these submersible ones get water in them after some use.

 

[Olde Merc]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

So there are some special bulbs for trailers? I just had standard automotive bulbs in mine. My tailight assemblies always get water in them, as they are not sealed. They usually drain pretty fast afterwards though. <br /><br />So, inotherwords I am going to have to live with replacing the bulbs on a regualar basis?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

If you're lucky. I use mine in the salt water and I'm talking about replacing the whole set several times a year. Maybe I'll try putting some grease on the bulbs cause I have yet to replace one without the whole thing bustin up on me cause of the corrosion.

 

[Olde Merc]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Well the lights on the trailer are old, probably somewhere around 10 years or so. Corrosion is not a real bug problem because I just use it in fresh water. <br /><br />I don't know if I would use the grease. I did, and it actually seemed to hold the water in there and corrode the bulbs. The old bulbs that I replaced had no grease, but they also had no corrosion on their ends.

 

[Down South]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

It's just an idea, but what I did to one of my trailers that I use a lot is. I built guides at the rear of the trailer that extend up above the boat and mounted my tail/brake lights to the top of them. This keeps the lights out of the water when launching and prevents me from having to un-hook them to launch my boat and keeps the corrosion out too. <br /><br />Like I said, just an idea.<br /><br />good luck

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Best thing you could ever do is go get some LED trailer lights

 

[Scoop]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

LED trailer lights would not burn out, but depending on how the sockets are made, they will have the same corrosion problems. I know some of the auto companies are using grease on some of their lights that are placed low on vehicles. Best thing to do is get the lights out of the water. Cabelas sells guide ons with lights that are made for salt water launching. I tried to post the link but is was too big. Go to http://cabelas.com <br /><br />Then to Marine, trailer accesories, guide ons<br />Also, they put the lights up high so people behind can see better. Last time I was coming back from vacation in the middle of the day, a deer ran out in front of me. I had plenty of time to stop, but the lady in back of me could not see my lights and almost took my boat motor out. I am going to either buy a set of these and be safe or make my own set.

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Not sure how the LED lights are put together on the inside but I know I have not had one problem with my LED lights from day one.<br />They do look a little funky, like a wad of x-mas lights but who cares.

 

[DJ]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Go LED.<br /><br />Peterson makes an excellent product available in several shapes. Their plugs are also the best I've seen.<br /><br />Hint, you can buy them cheaper at a truckstop or truck parts house.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Where can you get the Peterson LED lights. I would love to take a look at them. My regular bulbed Petersons are dull and I am always afraid of getting rear-ended. The LEDs should be brighter. It is possble that the LEDS are totally sealed because LEDs will not burn out and do not have to be replaced as long as the voltage is not increased.

 

[DJ]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Truck parts houses (big trucks) carry Peterson lighting products.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Lights quit all of a sudden

Thanks DJohns, As usual, if I would have read more carefully, I would had the answer from your previous post.