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re: Looking for help with an issue with my boat trailer lights

Posted on 7/13/20 at 8:42 am to
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/13/20 at 8:42 am to
quote:

This is why every time I rewire a trailer I pull the ground wire to each light and connect it directly.
It cuts out all the issues with using the frame as a ground.


As is the correct way to do it. I try to keep every connection up near the ball, to eliminate dunking connections and splices as much as practical. No connector is 100% submersible unless it is epoxy encased, and nobody got time for that wiring a trailer.
Posted by Redlos
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2005
1053 posts
Posted on 7/13/20 at 8:48 am to
All solid advise, if you have surge brakes the ground issue is even worse with a trailer frame ground setup.

Harbor freight has decent and inexpensive marine butt slice connectors and marine shrink wrap.
Posted by southern686
Narnia
Member since Nov 2015
891 posts
Posted on 7/13/20 at 10:07 am to
quote:

I try to keep every connection up near the ball, to eliminate dunking connections and splices as much as practical. No connector is 100% submersible


Yes, very true.

I always ordered the same things from amazon.
-A 7 pin connector that comes with a 10' pigtail and small junction box. The junction box has screw terminals for connecting all the lights with ring connectors.
-2 conductor cable (footage varies per trailer)
-Heat shrink butt splices

I mount the junction box on the tongue, coil the the spare between it and 7 pin plug.
I then run to each light with a 2 conductor cable. This allows each light to be independently wired from others. No splicing common wires multiple times for multiple lights. No jumpers.
I make the connection at the lights with a butt splice, and then heat shrink them to seal them. This method allows you to avoid the mess with taping them.
I bring all cables into the junction box, install ring terminals, and terminate accordingly. Obviously you'll have multiple wires on some terminals, like the ground and running lights.

It is far more work to do it this way but once I'm done I know its right and will last me many years without issue.
I just hate having to splice/jump wires like the ground multiple times in the rear of the trailer or having 3 wires to one butt splice.
It only adds another fail point.

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