trailer lights short after launching boat

[newboater74]

I just rewired and installed new "submersible" lights on my boat trailer last weekend. Tested the lights and all worked perfectly. I took the boat out yesterday to do some fishing and when I trailered the boat and checked everything before hitting the highway, I notcied none of my lights worked. The only thing I could think of is that water got inside the lights. I ended up driving home after dark with no trailer lights.

Could water have gotten inside the lights and caused the connections to short out? Do I need to somehow seal the splices in the wiring?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

It probably poped the fuse on your tow vehicle.

What I do to try and avoid this is unplug my light connector before I back into the water when I launch. And I don't plug it back in until after I put the boat back on the trailer and dried off the boat. This usualy gives enough time for the water to get out of all the wiring.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

what kind of splice did you use? fresh water or salt water.

 

[newboater74]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

I never thought of checking the fuse....didn't know there was one.


I used a solder-less crimp-on connector. This was used in fresh water.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

I didn't either until my trailer Brake and Turn lights stopped working.

Mine was in my engine comparment marked TOWING.

I never thought of checking the fuse....didn't know there was one.


I used a solder-less crimp-on connector. This was used in fresh water.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

Instead of using the crimp type connections, solder and heatshrink them, or use the waterproof crimps that you can heatshrink down that have adhesive inside(expensive though).

How does the ground attatch to your trailer from your plug?

 

[newboater74]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

Ok, I'll try soldering them. Where would I find the waterproof heatshrink at?

The ground is bolted to the tongue about a foot back of the receiver.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

If you are talking about the waterproof crimps, they are made my Ancor. They also make waterproof heatshrink whuch contains adhesive. I would just go with regular heatshrink.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

It probably poped the fuse on your tow vehicle.

What I do to try and avoid this is unplug my light connector before I back into the water when I launch. And I don't plug it back in until after I put the boat back on the trailer and dried off the boat. This usualy gives enough time for the water to get out of all the wiring.

That is what I do. tempting fate otherwise.

 

[jlinder]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

You can find heat shring with adhesive here at iboats. Or if you want to find it locally just go to your local super stores that specializes in computer parts, tools, etc and try them.

For example, we have FRy's locally and they hive it fairly cheap. For example look at http://shop2.outpost.com/search?sea...t+shrink+adhesive&minprice=&maxprice=&x=0&y=0

 

[newboater74]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

Thanks for the tips. I checked out the local Radio Shack (since we don't have much to choose from in this small town), but they had regular heat shrink....I suppose that won't work since it doesn't have the adhesive in it?

 

[sc_shane]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

I used regular heat shrink on mine and it's been fine for 2 years. I think you'd be fine with it. Just use a piece about 5 times the length of the exposed wires so you have good coverage. One thing I always do, though, is disconnect my lights when I'm removing the straps (before launch) and don't connect them back until I'm putting the straps back on and we're hitting the road again. In my opinion, this just gives me better odds that my lights won't short out or get a bulb to pop from being dumped in cold water when it's hot. Just my 2 cents!

 

[gonefishie]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

Use a heat shrink tube that's only slightly larger then whatever you're trying to cover and it will shrink down really snug. If you still don't feel good about it then coat the ends with some silicone. My bet is that your problem is a grounding issue. When you put the new lights on the grounding wasn't good enough. Scratch the he..l out of the trailer frame where the ground is attached. Remove a section of paint larger then the grounding bolt/nut, wirebrush it or sand it clean. Rub a coat of electrical grease on this area, reattach the ground wire and cover it with electrical grease (the grease is to prevent corrosion). It helps to use the bolt/nut that have the teeth on it so it will bite into the metal and ensure good contact. Do this with all grounding points and it will save you lots of frustration. Everyone on here will tell you poor grounding will cause all kind of problems when it comes to trailer lights.

 

[newboater74]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

I made sure the ground was good when I did the wiring. I do need to get some grease though and put on it.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: trailer lights short after launching boat

I made sure the ground was good when I did the wiring. I do need to get some grease though and put on it.

You don't have to have the grease but it helps, just like you don't have to have boat insurance. I've thought my ground was good before too and then to found out that it wasn't good enough.