LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

[mike64]

Planning on replacing my trailer lights. So I'm looking on iboats and this "over 80 submersible" kit has a very nice price:
http://www.iboats.com/Seasense-Over...6290344--**********.167496778--view_id.341448

But I keep hearing about how LED lights are the greatest, last forever, submerge with no worries, etc. But these are more than twice as much:
http://www.iboats.com/Waterproof-LE...66290344--**********.167496778--view_id.49292

Yes, I'm cheap :redface:
Also, it's an old trailer for an old boat I don't know how many more years I'm going to own, and LED lights kinda feel like putting gold rims on a junker car. So are the LED lights REALLY that much better than the submersibles? And what exactly does "over 80 submersible" mean-- they're rated to be waterproof in over 80" of water?

 

[Bondo]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

So are the LED lights REALLY that much better than the submersibles?

Ayuh,... Absolutely, No doubt about it...

 

[rckyview]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Seconded... definitely superior, no question about it.

 

[woosterken]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

I think the over 80" refers to the trailer being over 80" wide. then it needs three lites in the center of the back.

woosterken

 

[Silvertip]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

If the lights are worth as much as the trailer you really don't need them. Fix what you have and disconnect them before backing in. If you run in salt water, flush them when you get home.

 

[109jb]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Personally I think the whole LED thing is blown out of proportion. None of the boat trailers I have owned had LED's and I have replaced exactly 1 bulb that I can remember and that was 5 or 6 years ago. Also, I NEVER unplug at the boat launch and have never had any problems.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

I have LED's have never replaced them, have never rinsed them and I back in with the wiring connected. And there BRIGHT.

I lok at it this way. If a bulb burns out as I'm traveling home the ticket I get will be more than the cost of the lights.

The best $54.00 I've spent on trailer accessories and only $35.00 more than conventional lights. Just one less thing to be concerned about.

 

[mike64]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

OK, I'm leaning towards just getting the LEDs. Not that much more, and it'll be nice to have one less thing to worry about.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

The over 80 is the width of the trailer.Those kits have small side marker style lights on the outer side of the housing and include the license plate light.
And any trailer 80 inches or over require the 3 light strip in the center of the trailer,usually low on the rear cross member.

 

[dingbat]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

If lamp life is your only consideration then LED all the way but LED may not be the most cost effective soltuion. Case in point.

Bulb life has never been an issue with me. I'm running Wesbar waterproof lights. Saltwater only, never unhook, have replaced one bulb in the past 5 years.

On the other hand, I've had to replace both housings due to damage. One housing was broken when a friend used it as a step to get in the boat. The other I found smashed and hanging by the wire when I came back from a day of fishing.

For me, the issue is replacement cost. The waterproof housings are a good bit cheaper and therefore the best buy for my usage.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

In my experience, trailer lights tend to get smashed off long before the bulbs go bad, so personally I wouldn't spend the money on LED's

 

[Thundra]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

I'd recommend the Sierra Dry Launch lights, the SP 702 or 701's, they are known as "old-reliables" for a good reason.

Cheap and simple and really do work and last the longest. I've had mine for 4 seasons now.

 

[rucaradio]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

After doing a complete floor/stringer/transom repair last season, I finally got around to some things this year that I couldn't get to last - one of which was sanding down and repainting the trailer and converting to LED's.

The difference is AMAZING.

My new lights are crazy bright, low power draw, and (especially since I invested on a full groundwire harness for the trailer) virtually trouble free. Match that with a 50,000 hour life, I think my $100 investment was a good one.

I'd recommend LED's.

 

[salt city jim]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

I think everyone is missing one very important point.Sure,the cost is higher,but the biggest thing is also the value of your safety.Bye that I mean,with the LED lights people behind you can see your vehicle from a longer distance in the rain or when it's foggy out.For instance, it's the same behind you as it is ahead of you.I'm not saying that someone won't run into with them on,but you will have known you did every thing you could so they could see you.
Jim

 

[lmannyr]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Installed LEDs today. Installed new wire throughout. Installed 8 side markers . The tail LED lights and 2 LED side markers from Harbor Freight for 40 bucks with 25 feet of wire.

I like it.

 

[rucaradio]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

4 markers each side? Your trailer is going to show up on NASA photos! lol

 

[Ace52]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Go big or go home lol

 

[lmannyr]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

4 markers each side? Your trailer is going to show up on NASA photos! lol

Yeah I know. I laughed when I added the 2 new side markers that came with the kit. HOLY .......... People can't complain they can't see me know!!! Looks like a tractor trailer at 2AM on the interstate....you know the lit up ones..

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Yup, LED all the way. I find standard bulbs aren't very bright on trailers, and hard to see on sunny days. There's no problem with the LED's, even with direct sunlight. I'm probably gonna rewire my system soon too, as it gives me no end of trouble (frame/floating ground), and am certainly going to switch to LED's when I do it.

Ian

 

[mike64]

Re: LED Lights vs. "over 80 submersible"

Okay, I'm convinced! I just ordered the LED light kit off iboats. Thanks guys!