trailer lights out again

[The motor guy]

Ok so the last time I fixed my lights I fixed them the right way cause I didn't want to do this again. So that fix lasted about 5 uses. Now the only light that lights up is the one marker light on the fender. The other one never did work before but im ok with that. Also for some reason it takes about 5 seconds for that marker light to come on after I turn on the lights. I fixed these lights using heat shrink waterproof connectors and and nice ground connection bolted to bare steel on both taillights. What could possibly be wrong now that's causing these to not work since they worked great before? The taillights don't light up at all other than that one marker light on the fender. Also if my lights do stop working how can I stop from getting a ticket? Just turn on my hazard lights? I still have to be able to get home when they quit working. They were working fine until I put the boat in the water. I even disconnect the lights before submerging in water.

 

[FZ1]

Go to LED lights.

 

[The motor guy]

what's so good about them?

 

[tomcat27]

when I had normal bulbs in my boat trailer I had to repair them once or twice a year. my new trailer has LED lights - been working flawlessly since 05

 

[NHGUY]

LEDs take very little current,and trailers usually have bad wiring/connections,the LEDs will light even with faulty current flow that strangles it down.LEDs pretty much light the same amount as long as they are getting close to their rated voltage.Regular bulbs are very current/voltage sensitive.

 

[The_Jeff]

Test it out with a fused battery straight to the pin plug.

Sometimes when the marker light only lights up, its current is flowing through the brake light filament (but not enough to light it up)... so pull the brake bulbs and check around. A floating ground will also do this.

 

[The motor guy]

I bought some bulbs today and went to hook up the lights and they were working and I hadn't even put new ones in. So I don't know what happened that one time. Also I didn't even have the truck hooked up so I know the ground is still good at those connections. Maybe I need to start leaving the lights hooked up when in the water. The lights are the kind that have a plastic cover over them to keep the water out so you don't have to worry about breaking the bulbs.

 

[The motor guy]

Anyone know why they quit working that one time?

 

[Cujet]

If I were to guess, I'd say you have a bad trailer ground. The hitch also provides a ground, but can be "intermittent" and cause issues.

I use "raychem" environmental splices, and I solder them. They really are the only viable option when splicing trailer wires. I also use "de-oxit D5" when cleaning connectors with a bristle brush. It slowly, but nicely cleans contacts well. Then, during assembly, I spray with Corrosion X, Boeshield, or any other corrosion inhibiting oil. The thicker ones hold up longer.


Note: De-oxit D5 is not a conventional contact cleaner. It actually dissolves oxidation. So, copper contacts appear brand new after a bit of gentle cleaning. Conventional contact cleaners are simply degreasers and won't remove corrosion or oxidation.

 

[Cujet]

There are also "wireless LED trailer lights". These might be a good backup, and/or secondary set of lights. The ones I have seen are not really ideal for long term use.