Re: Are lighs supposed to drain?
I performed a little experiment with my new lights recently, this is what I did.
I investigated all the "sealed" marine lights on the market and came to the conclusion that they are just cheap lights with good gaskets, none of the ones I looked at had stainless materials inside etc.
So I decided to create my own sealed light assy from a cheap set of lights, they worked great and did not get any water inside when I dunked the trailer. I thought I was so smart until I had to change a bulb in one of them...should have bought the good quality bulbs instead of the cheap ones it came with.
Upon disassembly I discovered that no water had intruded into the structure as I had designed...instead moisture had accumulated from simple condensation and the bulb holders were severely corroded. It was then I thought maybe they need some venting so moisture does not accumulate, I drilled some 1/4" holes in the bottom and since they were still sealed water would not accumulate when they were dunked from the air trapped inside. I should mention that I also packed the bulb holders with silicone grease to ensure the contacts didn't continue to corrode.
The next year I decided to take the opposite side apart and replace the bulb with a good quality one even though it had not burned out yet, preventative maintenance I thought. When I disassembled it I found much of the same corrosion even though the drain I had drilled prevented water intrusion when the trailer was dunked.
I have now officially given up on conventional lights and will upgrade to LED's next season even though I think they are really overpriced for what you get. I don't think there is anyway to stop corrosion inside a light housing unless the entire structure is completely sealed and encapsulated in epoxy. They still work and I don't unplug my lights when I launch or retrieve...I like the landing light thing myself at night.
IMHO I think it is impossible to prevent corrosion in a poorly ventilated space such as a light fixture even if it is well drained, silicone grease works wonder on preventing corrosion on the contacts but anything metal will still corrode eventually.
So if you never want to have to do it again get the LED's and seal the wiring appropriately, if you want it to last more than few years get the marine ones but they won't last forever. If your cheap you can make your own "marine versions" and seal them up...drill a drain hole in the bottom first though.
