Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

[BIGcarpy50]

I just opened my 65 dollar LED lights and the package says i need to unplug them 5 min before i launch the boat. WHAT?? I thought they were supposed to be able to stay plugged in when i put it in the water....whats the deal

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

hmm...what brand are they? i got the cheap ones from boaters world and dont remember reading that, maybe i missed it. I did try to read everything that came with them since ive never had LEDs before...would be a good thing to know if im supposed to as well...

 

[Splat]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

I cants even begin to see a reason for it. LEDs burn cooler than a regular incan bulb. Also most, if not all trailer LED lights are potted or epoxy coated to keep them water tight. I'd almost contact the manufacturer and ask what their reasoning is behind this thought.

Bill

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

they are peterson i think. I wonder if the company is just trying to cover it's but by saying that..

 

[kamby]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

I do know that depending on what resistors, diodes, capaciters etc are on the led cirquit board take a few to discharge the power out of them. This is true with computers power can be stored for quite some time after there unpluged, same with computer monitors.

They maybe wanting you to unplug them early to make sure that all the juice is out of the cirquit before you plung them into the water.

But if they are truly sealed and well it shouldnt matter. I usually unplug mine anyway in case something did break loose or come apart dont want it popping fuses on my truck.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

If they are sealed (easy to tell by pulling off a lens), then you don't need to unplug them. If they aren't marine rated then they generally won't be sealed and you will have to disconnect them at the very least. You'll also end up having to replace them soon as well.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

I think it's a CYA, I never unplug my LED's and one's half full of water, probably a warranty thing.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

Here's some good info from the FAQ section in the Peterson website:

6. What is the difference between a waterproof and submersible light?

Submersible lights use the bell-jar concept. This allows a small amount of water inside the housing. The resulting air pressure inside the cavity prevents any additional water from reaching the area where the contacts and sockets are located. Waterproof is usually associated with a completely sealed light. Competitors often claim their light is waterproof, but in actuality, their light also uses the bell-jar concept.

7. How do I choose trailer lights for my personal watercraft and boat trailers which meet DOT standards?

You would measure across the widest width of the trailer. If the measurement is 80? or above, you must purchase a light kit that is approved for over 80? trailers. If the trailer measures less than 80?, you can use any other light kit which is available.

8. Do you have any tips for launching your boat when using non-submersible tail lights?

Be sure to unplug wire harness and let lights cool down. Use lithium grease in the socket to reduce the corrosion that water can cause.

9. Do you have any other tips for extending trailer light life?

1) After removing trailer from launching ramp, wash down the inside and outside of your trailer lights to prevent corrosion of the socket.

2) Silicone spray the mounting areas around the bulb to prevent corrosion.

3) Buy trailer lights with extended life bulbs. Most Peterson lights come with 15,000 hour bulbs, which can be identified by their distinctive green base.

We bought a new boat/motor/trailer rig last year. The trailer is made by Shorelandr' and it came with LED lights. Shorelandr' brochure said, "We held off on LEDs until we found a sytem that met our high standards. These Peterson LED lights have circuit boards sealed in epoxy; sonic welded lens & plug-ins that prevent moisture wicking. That all adds up to a trouble-free system that you can count on." The dealer told us we did not have to unplug our lights at the ramp, and we didn't. Guessing we have the 'waterproof' flavor. Perhaps the kind you have are the submersibles.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

the best solution is to mount your lights on uprights so they never get dunked because regardless of anything you do you'll be replacing them every few years at least.

 

[cornercanyon]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

I have always used magnetic trailer lights. Pulled them off prior to launching; putting them back after wiping her down before heading for camp. One set of magnetic trailer lights lasted over 15 years with a few bulb replacements.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

or that ^^^^^.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

the best solution is to mount your lights on uprights so they never get dunked because regardless of anything you do you'll be replacing them every few years at least.

Have you mounted your lights on your guide poles?

 

[capt sam]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

Have you mounted your lights on your guide poles?

not the newest trailer, last three I did....I will get around to it soon.

 

[TexasBayFisher]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

You need to seal the whole circuit up with epoxy to water proof it.
Of course by doing so if a component fails you have no choice but to replace the whole light assembly.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

With LED lights it's very simple. If they aren't sealed to prevent water from intruding the circuit board, you can't get them wet anyways. Water will corrode the circuit board and components in no time. You can't even compare this to a bare incandescent bulb and its connection.

Heat isn't even a factor for LEDs. They don't get destroyed by heat changes from operating temps to cool temps. They become damaged by high current (which can be caused by water bridging a surface mount resister on the board).

So, you either have a sealed unit that you can just dunk in the lake and not worry about... or you have an unsealed unit that should never be wet (the bell-jar method usually = cheap lights). The mantra of 'letting them cool' only applies to incandescent bulbs.

 

[TexasBayFisher]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

That's where the epoxy comes in.. you mix it up and then drip it all over the circuit and there you have it, a water proof LED. Use clear silicone to seal the actual assembly to prevent moisture and water-proof it.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

I have used the $60 dollar Walmart version for 5 years now.I never disconnect the wires and after 5 years they still work just fine...

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

That's where the epoxy comes in.. you mix it up and then drip it all over the circuit and there you have it, a water proof LED. Use clear silicone to seal the actual assembly to prevent moisture and water-proof it.

The best thing to use is actual potting epoxy to do this though. There are times when using anything other then potting epoxy made specifically for doing this kind of thing will cause static while curing that will ruin some circuits. Also, depending on the water content and other chemicals can cause short circuits depending on how the board was laid out (read trace width and proximity). There are also other potting materials that can be used in lieu of epoxy that actually have heat sink properties and others that will provide water tight while still staying flexible. For an LED circuit though, standard epoxy SHOULD be ok, but for $65 I'd hope the manufacturer already did this step.

 

[TexasBayFisher]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

Manufacturers don't. They want you to buy it, use it for a few years, then when one of them starts acting up go back out and buy a whole new set.
$3 worth of epoxy and some clear silicone will make them last a long time, as long as they don't get smashed.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Unplug LED lights 5 min before launch?

Manufacturers don't. They want you to buy it, use it for a few years, then when one of them starts acting up go back out and buy a whole new set.
$3 worth of epoxy and some clear silicone will make them last a long time, as long as they don't get smashed.

Manufacturers do though. My $20 set I bought at Princess Auto (same as Harbor Freight) was completely sealed and have been working flawlessly for 4 years so far. I would think a $65 set of them (especially from a company that a boat manufacturer uses) would seal them sufficiently.