Submerging trailer lights (reverse light surge bypass).

[MC3387]

Sometimes when launching or especially backing my trailer down empty, my surge brakes will activate.
I have the reverse wired up to bypass the brakes but I’m not sure if it’s bad to have my 7-pin plugged in while I submerge my trailer lights.
Will simply turning my lights off alleviate any problems? Or could I have an issue just from being plugged in?

 

[alldodge]

Unless your in salt water, then the water is not a big issue. The thing that could be an issue is if you have regular incandescent bulbs and not leds. The incandescent bulbs would be hot and the water can break the bulbs if lights are not sealed.

If the seven pin connector is going under water that would be an issue for me, not because it is going under, but that means my bumper and exhaust is under. If it does for you, then spray with WD40 when its back home

You could leave connected until your ready to back down the ramp, then disconnect

 

[tpenfield]

Best practice would be to disconnect the 7-pin plug just short of having the trailer enter the water. That way, surge brakes are not likely to engage because of the ramp's incline AND the lights won't be subject to water which may crack the bulbs (conventional bulbs not LED).

The brakes WILL activate the trailer lights via the 7-pin connector, if it is connected while the trailer is submerged

 

[TOFINO TOM]

As was said,Disconnect plug just before launching......was popping my trailer lights is my ''waterproof lights'' that were not so waterproof.
I'm 1/2 mile to local fresh water lake and 6 miles to the ocean...... the ocean plays ''Hell'' with old lights so I went to LED this spring....all is good so far.....still unplug before launching...

 

[dingbat]

I’ve never unplugged. Never had a problem

Then again, I’ve always had submersible lamps. Switched light bar, running and tail lights to sealed LED a many moons ago.

Leaving the lights on while submerged makes it easier to line up the boat when loading at night

 

[jimmbo]

Unless every connection/wire that is under water is 100% waterproof, there is a risk of a short. Only distilled water is an insulator, the slightest contaminatfion changes it into an Electrolyte, which will conduct electricity.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I never unplug either. When I installed electric brakes, I heard so many warnings about electric brakes not working with boat trailers. Baloney.

The only part I'd really worry much about is what others have noted about cracking hot incandescent bulbs. Even that is not a terribly common issue, I don't think. (Before switching to LED, my incandescents handled the occasional dipping just fine.)

 

[KD4UPL]

I've never unplugged in 14 years of boat launching. Once in a great while I have to change a light bulb. Hard to say if that's due to water or road vibration or just old age.

 

[Cat nip]

I never unplug my trailer wiring with LEDs and usually forget to on the trailers with incandescent bulbs and never have a problem. I would suggest to spend the energy on fixing the surge lockout problem. It should be a easy fix you are only dealing with 1 wire in that circuit for all intensive purposes. Could be as easy as a blown or missing fuse on the truck side. If you are not handy with this a good shop should be able to find the problem within an hour.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Surge brakes should not apply in reverse backing down a boat ramp. That’s the biggest downfall to surge brakes you do not have trailer brakes launching your boat only the truck. If your reverse lock out solenoid is not a dump solenoid but just a blocking solenoid you could be building brake pressure before it can block the fluid from the trailer brakes and then its got pressure in the trailer brakes. My truck has a brief delay before the reverse lights come on. I have a dump style solenoid so it releases the fluid pressure even if its had a chance to build pressure first. Might not be the case in a solenoid that just blocks the pressure and I have two boats one is just a blocking solenoid the other is a dumping solenoid so look there first.

Couple of years ago I thought I had a problem with the truck because I had to sneak it into reverse in my steep driveway. Big boat have to apply the brakes before backing. I bought a new 7 pole to 5 pole flat adapter and my problem was solved the adapter must have had a poor connection internally I could sneak into reverse and the brakes would not apply but if I just. Went straight from brakes to reverse they would lock up most times and not release. If you have a reverse lock out solenoid that only blocks brake pressure in reverse but doesn’t dump it to the reservoir you might have a problem with how long it takes to have power to the reverse solenoid or if your using a 7 pole to 5 pole adapter you might have a bad adapter.

Sealed LED trailer lights will last so much longer they also are not hot like normal bulbs so they wont pop in water from the temp change when you dump a hot glass bulb into cold water and sitting in a boat launch waiting your turn with your foot o the brakes can heat up a bulb.

 

[WIMUSKY]

I haven't unplugged in 41yrs and never blew a bulb. Always had/have incandescent..... So there!