Troubleshooting Trailer Lights

bigdog · 05-29-2012, 10:38 PM

Saw this article about 'Troubleshooting Trailer Lights', and thought I'd share with the Forum.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/...8/december.htm

Lot's of good advice here, and hope it may help you determine any trailer light issues you may be having..... Has definitely helped me.

Enjoy !

Bigdog

Lakegeezer · 05-30-2012, 05:58 AM

Thanks. That was a good article. The tip about putting steel wool on a drill bit for cleaning out the connectors was a good one. His mention of corroded light attachments making the ground fail was probably the cause of the last problem I dealt with for way too long.

What I'd like to purchase - but can't find - is a wireless lighting system. The lights are solar rechargeable battery powered, LED and fully encapsulated so corrosion is not an issue. The signal to operate comes via radio (bluetooth or other inexpensive approach). The transmitter plugs into the vehicle wiring harness. It should cost about $99.

VitaBene · 05-30-2012, 04:32 PM

Good post.

It is almost always the ground!! If anyone is having issues in the Moultonborough area, let me know and I will gladly assist. I love troubleshooting DC circuits.

pontoonbarge · 05-30-2012, 05:48 PM

Yes I agree -- grounding usually is what has affected my old trailers.

I eventually run a ground wire all around, rather than relying on the trailer ground... Then it becomes ~fairly~ reliable again!

I like that tip about steel wool.. Will give it a try

05-29-2012, 10:38 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,443 Thanks: 338 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Troubleshooting Trailer Lights Saw this article about 'Troubleshooting Trailer Lights', and thought I'd share with the Forum. http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/...8/december.htm Lot's of good advice here, and hope it may help you determine any trailer light issues you may be having..... Has definitely helped me. Enjoy ! Bigdog

05-30-2012, 05:58 AM	#2
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,676 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 353 Thanked 637 Times in 289 Posts	Thanks. That was a good article. The tip about putting steel wool on a drill bit for cleaning out the connectors was a good one. His mention of corroded light attachments making the ground fail was probably the cause of the last problem I dealt with for way too long. What I'd like to purchase - but can't find - is a wireless lighting system. The lights are solar rechargeable battery powered, LED and fully encapsulated so corrosion is not an issue. The signal to operate comes via radio (bluetooth or other inexpensive approach). The transmitter plugs into the vehicle wiring harness. It should cost about $99. __________________ -lg

The Following User Says Thank You to bigdog For This Useful Post:
Cobalt (05-30-2012)

05-30-2012, 04:32 PM	#3
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,571 Thanks: 1,600 Thanked 1,629 Times in 837 Posts	Good post. It is almost always the ground!! If anyone is having issues in the Moultonborough area, let me know and I will gladly assist. I love troubleshooting DC circuits.

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
@thelake (05-31-2012)

05-30-2012, 05:48 PM	#4
pontoonbarge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Windham, NH Posts: 42 Thanks: 86 Thanked 18 Times in 9 Posts	Yes I agree -- grounding usually is what has affected my old trailers. I eventually run a ground wire all around, rather than relying on the trailer ground... Then it becomes ~fairly~ reliable again! I like that tip about steel wool.. Will give it a try