Waterproof, submersible trailer lighting

ScottyDog · 24 October 2006, 08:22

Hi

I remember some users on here were hoping there were submersible tail lights for trailers.

We are building some new trailerised kit and are incorporating these units which seem to be equally suitable for boat trailers.

http://www.hellamarine.com/?a=3&t=3&...ID=598&pcid=51

Hope it's of some use to someone out there 'cause I know it's a pain to keep removing the tailboard.

For the last year or so I split the cable at the back of my trailer with a 7 pole Bulkin IP68 connector, totally waterproof with caps to keep the cable dry. No problems with it. They are very cheap, if anyone wants a set please let me know as I have a couple of spares.

jyasaki · 24 October 2006, 16:46

I hope you have better luck with LED trailer lights than I (and a lot of others on this side of the pond) have had.

On my old trailer, I had a total of 4 or so sets of LED lights (beginning at the time my normal incandescents contacts corroded to powder.)

Mostly 2 brands, though a 3rd is waiting in the wings for the incandescents on the current trailer to fail (which they haven't yet.) I believe they were SeaSense RoadWarriors, and I can't recall the other brand off-hand.

First set: failed after a few weeks with half the LED's in one light dead. Don't recall any flooding.

Second set: Failed after a couple of months with no running lights in one light. No flooding.

Third set: Ran for about a year despite being half-full of water, then died with multiple LED failures.

Fourth set: Pre-treated the fixtures by running silicone sealant over anything that looked like a welded seam. Also caulked the wire entry point. Used an additional nut on the mounting studs to alleviate torque-induced stress. Flooded after about 2 months, but were still working when I sold the trailer.

My current trailer came with incandescents, the kind without the sealed capsule that holds the bulbs. After one contact failure, I cleaned and greased all the exposed metal, and have not had another failure in the last year or so. I have a set of LED's on standby for when these fail.

jky

sparkey · 01 November 2006, 22:38

Hope you can get the led lights.

I was looking at similar lights earlier in the year for my own trailer but discovered that even though they are made by Hella they are only available in Australia or New Zealand . Hella Ireland will not supply or distribute them in Europe even though they are the same as European lights (IE amber indicators and separate brake etc) I eventually sourced a supplier on E Bay located in Australia who shipped then to me in Ireland .

http://stores.ebay.ie/LED-AUTO-LIGHTS

I found them good to deal with and a quick delivery.

To date I have had no problems with the lights supplied to me.

BogMonster · 11 November 2006, 21:33

I've got a set of magnetic lights which I am going to use on my trailer, though at the moment it doesn't have any lights on it, and because I live where I do, nobody much worries about that

The other option I am looking at is mounting a trailer lighting board on the roof rack of the 90 so it is visible over the top of the RIB, I don't tow at night so as long as following vehicles can see brake lights and indicators it might be the easy solution!

Endeavour · 11 November 2006, 21:51

I dont think that they are legal on european roads. I am developing a new ice cream van at the moment and we are also incorporating LED lighting on the rear instead of the OEM lighting. Just check before you spend out on them. If the UK distributors dont sell them. Thats probably why....

Steve

Nos4r2 · 11 November 2006, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavour

I dont think that they are legal on european roads. I am developing a new ice cream van at the moment and we are also incorporating LED lighting on the rear instead of the OEM lighting. Just check before you spend out on them. If the UK distributors dont sell them. Thats probably why....

Steve

LED lights are legal-we use them on artic trailers. Try a commercial vehicle factor for them.

ian parkes · 11 November 2006, 22:16

There are plenty on sale for motorbikes all sold as legal ,

But wjats wrong woth a trailer board . I can't think of a better system than the sliding trailer board mounts and elastics . and when you damage it a new complete board is less than £20

Nos4r2 · 11 November 2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

But wjats wrong woth a trailer board . I can't think of a better system than the sliding trailer board mounts and elastics . and when you damage it a new complete board is less than £20

Yep. To be honest I'd prefer a trailerboard but with LED bulbs

ian parkes · 11 November 2006, 22:38

I put some LED bulbs in the back of my old bike but they kept flickering .

Dunno why maybe dodgy ebay bulbs or Italian electrics on the bike .
I wasn't sure if if they would just plug in to a normal bulb holder.

They certainly didn't like it in the indicator ?? the different power consumption of the LED bulb stopped the flasher unit working

ChrisB123 · 13 November 2006, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyDog

Hi

I remember some users on here were hoping there were submersible tail lights for trailers.

We are building some new trailerised kit and are incorporating these units which seem to be equally suitable for boat trailers.

http://www.hellamarine.com/?a=3&t=3&...ID=598&pcid=51

Hope it's of some use to someone out there 'cause I know it's a pain to keep removing the tailboard.

For the last year or so I split the cable at the back of my trailer with a 7 pole Bulkin IP68 connector, totally waterproof with caps to keep the cable dry. No problems with it. They are very cheap, if anyone wants a set please let me know as I have a couple of spares.

Yes would love one. PM the details you need. Thanks!

Nos4r2 · 13 November 2006, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I put some LED bulbs in the back of my old bike but they kept flickering .

Dunno why maybe dodgy ebay bulbs or Italian electrics on the bike .
I wasn't sure if if they would just plug in to a normal bulb holder.

They certainly didn't like it in the indicator ?? the different power consumption of the LED bulb stopped the flasher unit working

S'not so much of a problem on a car though as your flasher unit is already working unless you've got a seperate one for the trailer. I'd prefer LED bulbs in a trailerboard simply because they don't blow with vibrations or bad earths.