Proper Trailer Light Grounding

[vaccfam]

I have read alot here about the troubles that people seem to have with their trailer lights. Most of them are due to faulty grounding. My trailer has the ground from the connector going to the trailer. Each light is then grounded to the trailer. I thought that the ground wire should be run to each light. Or should you do both just in case one fails?<br />What is the proper grounding for the lights?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Mike

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Proper Trailer Light Grounding

Grounding each light, and white wire to trailer frame is the best way to do it.

 

[Hasbeen]

Re: Proper Trailer Light Grounding

NortherEclips is correct,The ground from your connection at the trailer end is attached to your frame at some location! The bigest problem is usually that connection to the frame! It is a good idea to clean this connection every year to assure proper light opperation! There are some trailer manufacturers that think a rivit is a good idea here, but if you have one of those I would recomend that you disconnect it and drill a hole and attach it that way! There is a washer with teeth on it that helps with the grounding, ( name eludes me at this time), but available at parts stores! Buy a hand full and then put them in that place that you will remember where they are but never do! Change them every year! Oh, put a little dab of grease on the connection before you tighten it up!<br /><br />Hasbeen

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Proper Trailer Light Grounding

The washer is called a Tooth washer, that's a good tip Hasbeen, I use a self tapping machine screw with a hex head, the threads will cut into clean metal. I have not had to chase a ground problem since doing that, so I think a tooth washer will do the same since it will cut into clean metal a bit when crushed by a bolt/screw

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Proper Trailer Light Grounding

Oh, put a little dab of grease on the connection before you tighten it up!<br />

The greas that you use should be special grease for the purpose. I have a tube of dielectric grease, that I believe you can find in the electrical dept. at lowes, or home depot. I also have a small tube of grease, that is sold to lubricate light bulb threads when you screw them in, to make them easy to remove. I use one or the other of these (which ever I find first) for all electrical connections. especially I work it into the female, and wipe on the male plugins for hooking up the trailer connection, and also my light poles that plug into the socket on my boat.

 

[vaccfam]

Re: Proper Trailer Light Grounding

Thanks for the info.