Trailer Lights

[Tallahassee240Sundeck]

:smt013

What do you guys do to stop the corrosion on the light connectors? What a pain. I am thinking of just purchasing guide post lights...

Thanks,

John

 

[MLauman]

Install sealed LED lights using heat-shrinkable waterproof connectors.

Problem solved!

 

[jhild]

Install sealed LED lights using heat-shrinkable waterproof connectors.

That'll work.

You can also spray 'em with Boeshield T-9 every once in a while.

 

[Tallahassee240Sundeck]

Thanks all...

 

[Dave M.]

Another option from the communications world, may be a bit bulky for small wires. First, put on a couple of wraps of 3M Scotch Rubber Splicing Tape 23 Pg 6. This is very pliable, used to fill the voids around wire joints and connectors. Cover this with two wraps of Scotch 88 vinyl tape Pg 3. Then seal the whole spliced joint and a bit of adjacent wire with Scotchkote

This is what is typically done at the to of the tower at those microwave sites you see on mountain tops. A properly sealed electrical connection done this way will still be dry 30 years later.

If your wires are quite small, it may be too much. You might delete the Scotch 88 wraps, just use the rubber tape and ScotchKote it.

It is a more cumbersome approach than what MLauman has suggested, but probably has a longer life. Be aware it can be very difficult to ever open it up again.

 

[DLGYPSY]

Light corrosion problem solution

No question as to the solution for lighting including: L.E.D. lights as well as shrink tubing all connections. Check with a commercial duty trailer repair/parts company which will offer the lighting (Trucklite Co. offers all of the required lights which are clearance/marker, stop/tail and license plate and will undoubtedly have shrink tubing.) This will eliminate all of the issues with lighting.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Shrink tubing does more to hold water in and assist corrosion than it does to prevent it unless its well sealed. You can buy the type with sealer inside already or coat the soldered connection with silicone gel/paste before shrinking the tubing over it.

I do the same with butt connectors since my silicone gel is in a tube. Pump them full, then insert wires, crimp, and wipe away any excess.

That ScotchKote stuff looks good too.

 

[DLGYPSY]

Shrink tubing product quality

Like any other product shrink tubing is available in a vast product range from inferior to exceptional. I can tell you with absolute certainty that our commercial fleet of some three hundred trailers and one hundred tractors are using high quality shrink tubing which has an integral sealant which when heat sealed is virtually water proof. Ordinarily, automotive stores don't carry the Trucklite Co. lights and or the Panduit Co. shrink, which are clearly superior. This by the way, is based on personal experience.