Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

[Homerr]

I need to replace the wiring on my boats' trailer. The old stuff has the green rot in it.<br /><br />I can see where the manufacturer did a real ***** (insert metaphor) job on it the first time.<br />There was a number of splices inside the frame, and it wasn't soldered anywhere.<br /><br />I'm planning on replacing ALL of the wire, soldering all joints as well as using waterproof shrink-tube.<br /><br />Is there any other tips or tricks I can do?<br /><br />I use the boat in freshwater 90% of the time, but I occasionally take it to the salt.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

If you're willing to spend about $40, buy the entire ligting kit which includes the two rear light assemblies, all necessary wiring and plug to fit your tow vehicle connections. Also buy two new side lights for a complete job. It's easiest to pull the new wiring through the frame by using the old. Also, buy a package of rubber grommets to plug the holes where wire goes through frame. You should be able to completet the job in about 4 hours.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

One word... GROUND... Get a wireing harness that has extra ground wires that run directly to the lights instead of relying on the frame for ground... <br /><br />If ya can't find a harness like that, add two extra wires and run them from the ground wire on the plug-in harness thats connected to the frame and run them directly to the mounting bolts on the lights themselves..

 

[wayne h]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

snapperbait is right a bad ground will drive you nuts. it will make your lights do all kinds of weird stuff.i just went though all that before i riped my lights and wires off and got new 1ns then i seen that the ground wire was broke on the trailer.you would think that i would get a good ground from the trailer ball but it does not.

 

[boatingfool]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

I went and bought a wiring harness from wal mart.<br /><br />I had never done one before and wiring is my weak point.<br />It was very easy to do.<br /><br />The color coating should be the same or close.<br /><br />I left the old harness in place and ran the new one. Once I routed the new one I did a one for one swap with the wire connections on the lights from the old harness to the new harness. After all connections were swapped I removed the old harness.<br /><br />The whole job took about an hour and a half.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

I replaced mine last year and did pretty much what MrBill did. I soldered my connections and what I wanted to add was that I sealed the connections with liquid electrical tape. You can even apply that over the heat shrink as extra protection. It really seems to help keep the saltwater out of the connections. It took a couple applications 15 to 20 minutes apart but built up a nice coating.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

Liquid electrical tape! Shrink wrap will not seal out water as well. You can also use the liquid electrical tape on all your other exposed connections.<br /><br />Bob

 

[crab bait]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

and everythin' you can't solder ,HOMMER, dab on some di-electric grease or what i use,, aluminum wire oxdiation compound ..'NOLUX'.. alittle tube at chain hardware store for 2 bux.. last a lifetime.. a- little- dab'll-do-ya.. <br /><br />put on every nut/bolt connection.. every bulb socket,, everthin' thats not 'solderd down'... an you'll NEVER EVER have a promblem ..

 

[roscoe]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

My old wires ran thru the inside of the trailer frame. Last year I had two separate shorts caused by the wires rubbing in there. <br /><br />My new wires are on the outside. I used self adhesive cable anchors, then applied a small bead of silicone seal around them to make sure they held. They are on top of the frame, so road debris won't hit them, and they don't hang down. I put a couple extras up on the tongue to secure the pigtail and connector when not in use. They are visible and easily accessible for inspection or repair. Currently using WESBAR lights with sealed lamp capsules. Wires are shrink tubed, and liquid taped.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

Just an additon here, if you do use shrink wrap, get the shrink that has a self sealing "goo" inside. (Can't think of a better word) When heat is applied, the goo flows and seals the ends of the wrap and connection. Works for me. Little more expensive than plan wrap but does a nice neat job.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

First, don't use "regular" wire. Spend the money and by some Ancor Marine marine grade wire (www.ancorproducts.com). Each wire strand is individually tinned to prevent corrosion. Check out eBay. You can usually get 100' of 16/2 for $40. Sometime you'll see 25' rolls up there too. Great stuff to have around.<br /><br />Second, don't rely on solder connections for mechanical strength. The ABYC standards state:<br /><br />"Solder shall not be the sole means of the mechanical connection in any circuit. Exception: Battery lugs with a solder contact length of not less than 1.5 times the diameter of the conductor"<br /><br />Buy some Ancor Marine (or 3M) butt connectors and use a good crimping tool to make your splice connections.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />RS

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Replacing wiring on trailer...Anyone have tips?

PS - a little trick for turning regular shrink tube into adhesive lined shrink is to add a little silicone to it before shrinking. You can also just save the time and buy Ancor Marine's shrink which is already Adhesive lined.