Thread: Tracking down trailer short

all good information. I'm basically out of budget for the boat/trailer so I have to use sweat equity. If it's that easy to change the wiring I may just pull it all out and do a visual. Not really sure how it's all run..etc but I know how to do pull cords to get it back. If I can get through the season then I can invest in a lighting upgrade over the winter when I'd prefer doing all my maint.

Found an LED light set from wally world with new wires for $50, going to check if the auto place is cheaper. Last night we came home with emergency flashers because the running lights blew the fuse AGAIN after pulling all the wires out and taping them up.

you guys were right as expected. Easier to just replace it than fix.

Lovely bride got paid so we'll be getting lights today.

I gotta do the same thing myself. Have had a fuse blown in my truck now for a few years. Got tired of changing it since I know the right side trailer light keeps blowing it and I just fish too much to fool with replacing the fuse when not using the boat. The light on the trailer is a "sealed bulb" light that got water in it along time ago and blew the bulb. Cut it open to replace the bulb and hasnt been any good since...rusted slap up. A new set of the rectanglur LED lights runs about $65...probably what a ticket is gonna cost me if I dont fix it one of these days. Oh well...it's on my to-do list.

Originally Posted by Pomoxis

Found an LED light set from wally world with new wires for $50, going to check if the auto place is cheaper. Last night we came home with emergency flashers because the running lights blew the fuse AGAIN after pulling all the wires out and taping them up.

you guys were right as expected. Easier to just replace it than fix.

Lovely bride got paid so we'll be getting lights today.

finally got tired of doing that and posted on this board. someone told me to unhook the side marker lites as that was his problem. did just that and haven't blown a fuse yet. (3 trips, fingers tightly crossed)

Make sure the LEDs you get are sealed. Love mine. No more problems!

no idea if they are sealed or not. Truck blew the gasket at the thermostat so I got to change that and the thermostat today. Started raining as I was finishing up .
I figured for less than $50 at wally world they're probably not sealed. If not I can open em up, break out the RTV and seal em up fine.

Sounds like a fun day. Just for your info just in case....The LEDs I got are by a company called Optronics. They were about $60.

If they don't say they are sealed/waterproof don't buy them, there are many makers of LED's that are sealed & good for boat trailers. The advantages of LED, they are waterproof/sealed, run cool-no reaction to going in cold water, last a long long time. Also since goin to LED I never unplug my lites anymore especially at nite cause its easier to load on trailer being able to see taillights of trailer.

solder all connections and wont have any more problems.

One test not mentioned is the 'smoke test', get the boat off the trailer then hook a well charged battery to each lead, one at a time until you see 'smoke' you have then found the short, replace that wire.--shu