LED trailer lights

JamesCoste

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
595
I just ordered some LED trailer lights from iboats marine store.

I really hope that they work well. Does anybody else use these?

I've had little success with the other submersible trailer lights. The bulbs don't seem to maintain a good connection and come on and off as I travel down my dirt road.

Hopefully they will be easy to install. I think getting a good ground is the secret. Any secrets to doing this?

Thanks Brian for showing me how to edit:
Here are the lights I bought: http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg..._id=217588&list_time=1151185002&view_id=56538
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: LED trailer lights

james, i solve 99% of my light problems by running and independent ground wire to all my fixtures,, and tied it into the ground on the harness, no depending on the trailer frame for ground.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: LED trailer lights

They'll be the best $50 you ever spent. The LED lights just work. That's it. They just work.
 

Reel Poor

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
5,522
Re: LED trailer lights

And they are highly visable too. I like mine.
 

JamesCoste

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
595
Re: LED trailer lights

Mine should come in early this week. If I have any problems with the ground, I'll try the extra ground wire. I might have some questions. Admittantly, I don't have the firmest grip of electrical concepts.

I'll check back in later.
 

Xavier

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
7
Re: LED trailer lights

I pull around 30 pontoon boats per season. When I went to redo my trailer I put LED lights on it, complete with 6 LED side marker lights. I also took the extra time to make up a harness with the ground wire to each light going back to the vehicle. I soldered and used heatshrink tubing on all the connections. Running the wires inside the frame tubing was a big help, too.

All these things took some time and were nerve racking, but well worth it.
 

lakelover

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
4,386
Re: LED trailer lights

I redid my trailer with LED's last year. I love 'em. They're very bright and reliable. Granted, I only dunk them a couple times a year, but after making sure I had a good ground, they work great. I feel more visible and safe on the road.

I think you'll like them.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,634
Re: LED trailer lights

A couple of years ago I replaced just the tail lights with Leds. Had to replace one last year, somehow the lens got damaged and fell off. I epoxied it back on but the unit would then take on water. never could get it water tight and the bottem row of running light leds quit. They still lit up for thr brakes. A fried diode was the cause. I still unplug the harness when launching just in case one of the "waterproof" connectors allows the water to short to ground.
 

Hazmat91180

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2005
Messages
7
Re: LED trailer lights

Does anyone know where we can get OEM replacement LEDs for a Eagle Trailer?
 

BrianS.

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2006
Messages
260
Re: LED trailer lights

Under your name, in the Pulldown where it says Interact, you can Edit your post there.

JamesCoste said:
I don't know how to edit a post with this new forum.
 

Fl_Richard

Lieutenant
Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
1,428
Re: LED trailer lights

First thing I did when I got my boat two years ago was put LED lights on my trailer. Thats also the last time I touched my trailer lights.

Nuff said :)
 

Johnnielund

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2002
Messages
91
Re: LED trailer lights

I put LED lights on my trailer about 4 years ago. They are great! You will not be sorry!
 

eli_lilly

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
435
Re: LED trailer lights


Don't buy the crappy ($35) ones off ebay. They are unbelievably dim, I just got a pair and wish I had went with the iboats ones instead.

-E
 

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: LED trailer lights

Last year I put on a set from Walmart (around $50) and after a couple of dunkings they filled with salt water. Called manufacturer (SeaSense) and they sent me new ones. But I haven't mounted them yet. Just drilled drain holes in the old ones because the manufacturer said "They are sealed in epoxy anyway so the water should not bother them".

The bottom line is they are still on the trailer, and they are slowly losing LED's.

I'll have to install the new ones soon. I must admit the new ones are slightly different design than the old ones. Hopefully they will last longer.
 

JamesCoste

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
595
Re: LED trailer lights

Mark42,
That is the same manufacturer as the ones I bought from Iboats. I hope I don't have problems with mine. The ones I got are supposed to be completely sealed and not get any water in the housing when dunked. I'll find out once I go fishing next.
 

cp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
367
Re: LED trailer lights

Nothing's perfect. While LED lights are theoretically better than the incandescents, the LEDs can have manufacturing weaknesses too. Two month old EZ Loader trailer had one tail/brake light assembly short out between the tail and brake functions internally (no water leakage). Dealer replaced free without any question because they've been having a lot of them fail. LED light made by Innovative Lighting. Still, if you're willing to $pend the extra, LED lights are worth a try; just don't be dumbstruck if one does fail. Nothing's perfect.
 

diaric

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
532
Re: LED trailer lights

Besides being sealed better the advantage with LED's is they run cooler. There is less cold water shock to them. For this reason we don't run them in our big trucks anymore as they don't melt snow off like traditional lights.
 
Top