Submersable lights

[bigheaded5]

I had issues with my last light system then went to a LIGHT BAR but then got a ticket for not having my plate permanently attached to my trailer. So on the new trailer I picked up a set of SUBMERSIBLE LIGHTS.... These are wide open on the bottom....I guess to let the water drain out lol are they ALL like this are do they sell sealed housings and if so, so they actually work?

Ed

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Submersable lights

What brand? I am using Dry Launch open-bottom "bell" type and they have been great.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Submersable lights

The only true sealed lights are LED's. I've personally have never had great luck with the bell type, which is what you have. (sealed on top, open on the bottom. If you submerge them they should in theory maintain an air pocket. In reality my luck is that because of the angle of the trailer and wave action, there is very little trapped air and the light is essentially submerged anyway.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Submersable lights

Put LED's on my last trailer and they worked great. Feel sorry for the guy behind me though, They were super bright.

LK

 

[bassman284]

Re: Submersable lights

I had issues with my last light system then went to a LIGHT BAR but then got a ticket for not having my plate permanently attached to my trailer. So on the new trailer I picked up a set of SUBMERSIBLE LIGHTS.... These are wide open on the bottom....I guess to let the water drain out lol are they ALL like this are do they sell sealed housings and if so, so they actually work?

Ed

That's what I have on my Shorelandr. They've worked fine for 11 years.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Submersable lights

I had a set of dry launch lights on my last trailer for 15 years trouble free best light set I ever owned. Sealed led lights are the new technology and I will probably use that type on my next trailer. I believe it is simply a preference.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Submersable lights

Wesbar makes a light with a sealed module inside.
Had them on a trailer a while back.
Replacements were a little hard to find locally.


Here's a pic of the module.

Been using Wesbar and Peterson LED's for a couple years now. Had some optronic led's, but they failed miserably (2 sets).

 

[bigheaded5]

Re: Submersable lights

From this thread it seems hit and miss. I have already installed the BELL type lights, so Ill give it a shot and see what happens. Im not above changing the lights every few seasons.....but if these go, I will probably shop for LED's. No matter WHAT light you use, and what ever corrosion inhibitor you use on the wires, I dont see any way around a ground problem down the line.

My IDEAL set up would be lights ABOVE the water line....but the brackets alone were more than the light kits! I would make them myself but i sold my welder and Im not a RUBE GOLBERG type of guy.....its GOT to be neat, clean and done well.

 

[Larry3215]

Re: Submersable lights

The trick is to unplug the lights before you back into the water. if there is no power to them the bulbs wont break and corrosion is greatly reduced.

That said, Im switching to LEDs when the set I have on there now gives up

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Submersable lights

I have been using the submersibles from optronics from advance for several years with out any problems at all. They have a sealed bulb inside.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Submersable lights

I simply coat the bulb & all of the socket parts with wheel bearing grease. I also Silicone ALL wire entrance holes, mounting bolts & lens covers with Silicone Rubber. Then drill a 1/4" hole on the rear bottom. 1 trailer is 30 years old & has same bulbs.

Over cautious ? Yes

 

[Mason78]

Re: Submersable lights

Put LED's on my last trailer and they worked great. Feel sorry for the guy behind me though, They were super bright.

LK

Plus they never burn out! At least not in our lifetime!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Submersable lights

Unplug before dunking is what I do. Never had an issue to date. Properly sealed are great but a slight seep and you are trapping water in as well as keeping water out. (LED's excepted)

 

[roscoe]

Re: Submersable lights

You'd be surprised at how poorly some of the led circuits and wiring is potted.

Buy quality led's or don't waste your time.

Here's one for you, Try to find led's that are dot approved. Not ones that say "meets dot requirements for over 80".... but lights that actually have the dot approval on them.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Submersable lights

Good observation roscoe.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Submersable lights

Here's one for you, Try to find led's that are dot approved. Not ones that say "meets dot requirements for over 80".... but lights that actually have the dot approval on them.

I know a fairly popular reseller of incandescents used that as his battlecry for a long time, trying to resist any form of progress. But yes, even cheap kits like the one below are DOT certified. Yes, there are ones that are not, much like there are standard lights that are bad, really, really bad.

LED Trailer Light Kit - Includes Wiring & LED Trailer Lights
" Certifications/Approvals: DOT & FMVSS "

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/DOT-Certified-Trailer-Light-Kit/5924272/product.html

 

[bigheaded5]

Re: Submersable lights

OK, Here is what I decided to do.

I'm going to KEEP the "submersible" lights I got open bottom and all. I'm going to continue to cover the socket in NO-OX and unplug lights before dropping the trailer into the water and do an experiment. I'm keeping the bottoms open as they were made, just adding the NO-OX to help prevent (slow down) the oxidation of the bulbs and sockets. Ill check back next season and let you all know what happens. See if I'm buying LED's next year