sealed trailer lights

[sea wolf]

i'm getting my trailer ready as i'll be pulling my boat out for the season soon. checking lights etc. i discovered that the left side bulb is burned out. the problem? it's a sealed unit, so i can't get at the bulb. so i have to order the whole lens assembly. that stinks. my trailer is in my driveway, so it's no big deal. but, what if i was at the ramp & both bulbs blew? i guess i'd be out of luck & have to tow with no lights. i know there sealed to keep water out, but there must be a better way. what do u guys think? just venting!

 

[burp]

Re: sealed trailer lights

The word "better" is another word for "costs more". In this case, the better trailer lights are the LED type lights and they last longer than bulbs.

 

[Lark40]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Do yourself a favor and get LED lights. You won't have these types of worries once you change over.

 

[roscoe]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Are these the WESBAR lights?<br />They are worth it. <br />$18 per light.<br />But you can get the replacement bulb assembly for $9.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...t_id=600382876&current_category=trailer>light <br /><br />I fried one in seven years, due to a worn wire. Dad hasn't lost a bulb in over 18 years on his trailer. Lots of washboard gravel roads and we never unplug when launching.

 

[Lark40]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Roscoe, <br /><br />LED lights don't have replaceable bulbs. That's because they last 50,000 hours.<br /><br />While your family has been exceptionally lucky with the old technology, many of us, who are tired of trailer lighting hassles, are switching to LED's as fast as possible.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sealed trailer lights

LEDs are the Only Answer.....

 

[JRJ]

Re: sealed trailer lights

I'd hook it all up and turn it etc. to make sure you are grounded on the ball good. Then check the lights again. Unless you can see the filiment is broken, it may just be a ground problem. My trailer lights do the darndest things till the hitch is seated right on the ball. Good luck.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: sealed trailer lights

I'd hook it all up and turn it etc. to make sure you are grounded on the ball good. Then check the lights again. Unless you can see the filiment is broken, it may just be a ground problem. My trailer lights do the darndest things till the hitch is seated right on the ball. Good luck.

The ball is not meant to provide a ground, and cannot be depended on, as while setting still and checking you may have a suitable ground, but while pulling you may lose ground through the ball. Do not depend on it, use the white ground wire, and screw it to both the veehicle frame, and the trailer frame.

 

[JRJ]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Well, there you go. I'll give it a try lakeman1999

 

[roscoe]

Re: sealed trailer lights

With all due respect, luck has had nothing to do with it. Wesbar sealed/insulated capsules have a track record unsurpassed by any other trailer light.<br />Most people have never seen them, OEM trailers almost always go with the cheapest available. The LED's may be the way to go now, but they weren't available in 1985 were they. So why should I switch over to a new system?, just to say I have LED?

 

[Lark40]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Roscoe,<br /><br />Well, I have also had the Wesbar lights, and had problems with them. I have been selling and using boat trailers since 1958, and find your experience to be very exceptional. Of course, you are right to feel strongly about that success.<br /><br />But, when your lights finally fail, LED's will probably be the only trailer lights on the market.

 

[werdna]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Well, they dont make laws for nutin - in Aus its actually specifically listed in the VSB1 (vehicle standards bullettin) that you may not use the tow hitch as a ground. we have a 7pin round trailer plug which the ground is wired into. this ground cable is then split up and wired to each individual light. it always works a treat without fail.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Well, they dont make laws for nutin - in Aus its actually specifically listed in the VSB1 (vehicle standards bullettin) that you may not use the tow hitch as a ground. we have a 7pin round trailer plug which the ground is wired into. this ground cable is then split up and wired to each individual light. it always works a treat without fail.

In the United States we also use plugs (usually a four terminal) of which one is a white wire, meant for grounding, but some persons do not have enough sense, or know how to correctly wire/hook up, and/or use the presently used systems.

 

[ed_hall1]

Re: sealed trailer lights

There is only one way to properly test your lights. Plug in the lights with your trailer disconnected from your vehicle and not touching the tow vehicle. This way the trailer is totally isolated. If your lights & grounding are correct, all lights should function properly. If they only work when hitched to the tow vehicle, your trailer is relying on grounding through the ball (not a good situation). I must have seen a hundred trailers going down the highway with blinking trailer lights. This is usually caused from improper grounding through the ball.

 

[Skinsk]

Re: sealed trailer lights

A really nice way that I've found to make my trailer lights last longer, is to unplug the lights as soon as I get to the ramp. The bulbs have time to cool while I'm un-strapping the boat, hooking up a bow line, and putting in the plug. Been putting my boat in the water for 6 years and have yet to blow a bulb..<br /><br />Scott..

 

[wezie]

Re: sealed trailer lights

Sea Wolf, I believe the replacement modules will fit either side, so you may just carry one spare. Westbar does seem to have a good track record with these things.<br />The modules are a good idea in any case.<br />The rest is a matter of a good ground as discussed above; along with more maintenence and less worry.<br />There may be a time to convert to the LEDs. Have not done it yet, but??<br />Good Luck!

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: sealed trailer lights

I have cheap wesbar lights on my trailer, and have yet to have a light failer, why because a little bit a attention allows them to live longer, Each fall before I put away for winter, I pull each bulb inspect socket, use a little dab of dielectric grease, inspect wiring, any connections that need to be redone I use shrink wrap or liquid tape, tie wrap any wires that can chafe against trailer frame. Also I launch between 30 or 40 times a season, I always unplug my lights..not so much to save a 99c bulb but to not risk the electrical on my truck or car. % years no light trouble yet, except for when Trailer met big boulder but thats a story for stupid human tricks.

 

[agrazela]

Re: sealed trailer lights

When I bought my used boat and trailer, the incandescent lights on it wouldn't work on my car, even though:<br /><br />a) My car was wired correctly<br />b) The seller showed me they would work when hooked to his car<br /><br />Turns out my old Volvo electrical system doesn't put out enough current to power its own lights AND extra incandescents!<br /><br />I got LED's and the Volvo can power them fine! Plus I will NEVER have to fart around with light bulbs and socket corrosion again.<br /><br />(It sounds like Northern Eclipse puts more time and care into his trailer bulbs than most most boat owners put into their engines!)

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: sealed trailer lights

i'd hafta agree on NE's maint routine! that is a super way to maintain things. <br />down south, we don't have many worries like that. but i love this topic, its full of good info.<br /> <br />i still use old bulbs, and simply unplug when pre-launching. if your old housing leaks, use gasket sealer. if you pull the bulbs, use a water pipe wire brush to clean the sockets. if you don't have dielectric grease, then shoot some white grease in the socket. if you seal the housing, the heat should keep it just fine. if holding water, drill a hole in the bottom & top/back for air. just thoughts of mine.<br /><br />i will probably upgrade to l.e.d. when i re-do the trailer, they use less pwr. good luck out there

 

[Lark40]

Re: sealed trailer lights

The maintenance methods mentioned above will certainly prolong the use of incandescent lights.<br /><br />But, socket corrosion and hot bulb blowouts are simply not issues with LED's. After a lot of problem-free launches with my two LED-equipped trailers this season, I never want to deal with "classic" trailer lighting again.