Switch to LED lights?

[BF]

Hi,

A couple more spring projects I have... I need to rewire a utility trailer, and also want to rewire a boat trailer (not absolutely needed, but would be nice). I'm thinking about switching both to LED lights. It gets annoying that it seems every time I use either trailer there is one or more bulb burnt out. I think the vibrations is tough on them 1157's and marker bulbs.

So, what's the verdict on LEDs? They should last indefinitely, but I guess the wiring would go bad just as fast. Is there anything different about installing them? Can one run a dedicated ground to each light? Failure of the ground connection between the socket and frame is annoying. It'd be nice to get rid of that.

I'd be interested to hear from someone who's switched as to whether it's worth the extra cost. (costs at least double I think).

 

[kadesdad07]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I would say if you don?t mind spending the extra money go for it. Aside from the extra cost there is no downside to the LED lights. The will last longer and don?t wire up any different. Also they are brighter if that makes a difference to you or not.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

unplugging the harness a few minutes before launch, saves bulbs. for the last 20 years i have been running a dedicated ground wire to all lights, and splicing it to the white wire on the harness. just can't convence these guy to do it. solves 99 % of problems.

 

[rndn]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

TD is right about running a ground wire to each light. I have yet to have any lighting problem since I began doing that on all of my trailers.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

Another good thing with LED lights is they pull very little amps on the vehicles charging system.You can put as many as you want on with no problems.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

Those LED lights are great. Just don't buy them at Wallmart. They're junk.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

these guys have the best pricing I've seen, and a good product, too (I've bought some stuff from 'em but not trailer lights).

www.besthongkong.com

 

[jddenham]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I bought a set at Walmart last year, but have yet to put them on. What issues do they have?

Those LED lights are great. Just don't buy them at Wallmart. They're junk.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I love my LED's. Down here in the saltwater regular lights seldom lasted more than a year and required constant maint. It was always a gamble if they would work. Most boat trailers here dont have functioning lights. Even the supposed waterproof sealed ones dont last much longer. My LEDs arent even phased by it. Bought mine at academy, the cheapest ones and they work great. Now, I just plug in my lights and go.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I bought a set at Walmart last year, but have yet to put them on. What issues do they have?

The LEDs in one of them came loose and was just flopping around inside. I didn't hit anything to cause it and there was no way to repair it. This happened after about a month. I got another set from a local trailer shop and they have been great.

 

[DJ]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

NO ISSUES with going to LED's.

You get what you pay for, as with anything else.

Peterson, Wesbar-certified (by me)-all good.

 

[gunner1]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I bought the Optronics LED kit for my boat trailer last year. It was very easy to install- even a total novice could do it. Each light has it's own ground wire and as another plus those suckers are BRIGHT! Definately worth the money. Oh yeah, the light units themselves are totally sealed to keep water out.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

NO ISSUES with going to LED's.

You get what you pay for, as with anything else.

Peterson, Wesbar-certified (by me)-all good.

to be honest, I have found that I don't always get what I pay for, but I always pay for what I get!

 

[sdshort1979]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I would definetly switch to LED lights, as for the wiring you have to make sure you wire them correctly..." positive to positive and negative to negitive"... due to being polarity sensitive. Also good butt splices that you can heat with a lighter or heat gun to shrink the plastic around the wiring will take care of any chance of corrosion.

 

[Silverado6x6]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

Last year I rebuilt a three axle saltwater trailer for a 31' bow picker up here in Alaska, I used all LED lamps that I also use on my fleet of concrete mixers, our drivers several times a week spray acid all over these lights and then scrub the concrete off, needless to say this is worse than saltwater immersion. So basically these lamps come in all sizes, you can either buy them off the internet or just go to a nearby truck stop store, I use a nickel based anti sieze compound in all the connections and also in the shrink wrapped wire connections, this works well for me on my mixer trucks, just replacing a standard trailer lamp housing with a 1157 LED bulb still leaves the lamp base exposed to water be it fresh or salt. Sealed beams are the way to go. I have even gone so far as to use nylon truck air brake tubing to make my wire runs along the trailer, at the ends I shoot some silicone sealer in around the wire and thus I have protected wiring, little trick I learned as well.

 

[rfed32]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

i prob have to be only of the only one in the world who will say led lights suck....i mean common for the prices not worth it when its dark and u dont see the trash can or that rock or something b.c now u have to go out and spend 25 bucks on a new light instead of 5....not to mention i am one of three people that i know who have had problems with them not always working and what not....but if you want and have the money and extra money id say go for it...if not reg lights work best if u ask me

 

[Fiveo Invader]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I have a question regarding lights. The trailer i bought hasnt had lights (operating) for years, the guy used it as winter storage for the boat and transported it 2 blocks to the marina in the spring and fall. I did get them to work but when I activate my right turn signal the problem begins.

1- the turn signal in my truck ( tow package equipped) stays lit and doesnt light the front one

2- the trailer lights go out except for the right signal which stays solid and

3- my registration lights on my truck flash.

What is that about? I suppoese just tear it all out and re wire with new lights and wires? any help would be awesome. I have to agree about the LEDs. They are great for what they are, but for the money, when I crush one or ruin it in the saltwater, I would be a bit agitated. I stick with the tried and true normal 1157's they are cheap and if you disconnect before getting wet, should last a while longer. Thanks

 

[TAV MAN]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

I but led on my trailer because how bright they are. they are buildet alot better then the old ones and hold up better.

 

[BF]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

tried to buy an LED set on the weekend... they were sold out... no rush.

Invader. Your whackiness with the lights is almost certainly caused by a bad ground situation. In the absence of a good ground, the current will find it's own alternate ground path... often back through a different conductor of the wiring (thereby lighting up other bulbs in the process).

Start by checking the ground of each light on the trailer. If it's a tilt trailer, you need to run a dedicated ground around the pivot point. Don't depend on the electrical connection of the pivot point.

Things like this are why I intend to run a dedicated ground to each light rather than grounding to the trailer frame.

 

[Fiveo Invader]

Re: Switch to LED lights?

Hey thanks I actually rewired the entire trailer this afternoon. Got a set of lights from TSC for $23.95 for every thing. the problem is gone. The one ground wire up by the coupler was frayed and the passengers side on the trailer , the light was broken so I assume that the rusty bulb was causing some disturbance in the current flow. I was concerned that I messed up my truck that I drive daily. I dont have the $$$ to fix that.

Thanks agian..I gotta tell you you guys have been right on the money for any answer that I have been provided. I appriecate it being a new boater with no clue about the marine aspect of life.