LED trailer lights

[LuckySteelhead]

Hi all, I need new trailer lights just after 3 years on my EZ loader trailer, I was in the tillamook bay a few times, which probably didn't help. You can buy an LED set for about 50 bucks online, or get a submersable set for about 25, whats the story? will LED lights really last longer? 3 years? I don't mind replacing bulbs now and then, and I know salt water can eat anything up in time, doesn't matter what it is.

Do they opperate at the same voltage?, is it just a matter of reconnecting to the existing wire? If so I think I'll spring for them.

Thanks in advance.

[Bluto]

you should be able to just replace the existing with the LED using the same wires. What you should buy is a tough call... I'm on my second set of LED's in a little over a year. They seem to also leak, but the good news is you don't blow them all out at once... so you can get buy for a while if you blow a few of the LED's out.
I noticed last weekend that I have now blown out half of my driver side lights, so it time to replace them again...

[LuckySteelhead]

Good info, thanks, lots of word going around that LED's will last forever or a very long time, I knew it wasn't true, but like anything else, you get what you pay for, they cost 2x as much, you might get 2x or 3x the life

[Catchn not fishn]

after having problems with my set of LED's I talked to the manufactor about it, and they said the biggest problem is the trailer having too much resistance in them and to run a seperate ground wire to each light. I did this and had no more issues with the lights. they do have a warrenty on them also to last a certian amount of time.
I have used mine in every kind of water and still no issues after 4 years other than the truck / trailer connectors and splices corroding.
:twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :shrug:

[Okie]

LED is the best way to go, Had both kinds and LED lights are the best in spite of all the bad things you might hear. Bad connections, poor wiring will cause trouble no matter what kind of lights you have.

Good Luck;

[SLEDDER]

I disconnect the power to the trailer lights when they are about to be submerged. It seems to give them a little more life.

[trap50]

Iwent to LED on my EZ load trailer. Made a pretty clean refit.http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/MVC-695S.JPG

[Lowranger]

This thread seems timely http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5188&highlight=

[Tacklebuster]

The good thing is, your easyloader didn't have LED to begin with. If so, you would have gone through a couple of sets because the word "submersable" is only as good as the amount of water that still gets in to make them go bad.

LED lights in general are great.

[Bluto]

The good thing is, your easyloader didn't have LED to begin with. If so, you would have gone through a couple of sets because the word "submersable" is only as good as the amount of water that still gets in to make them go bad.

:yeahthat:

[LuckySteelhead]

Thanks all, this helps alot

[CollyM]

Two things I can tell you about LED lights on EZ Loader trailers. It's all about the leaks and the leaks are mostly operator caused. #1 - Look at the picture above and you will see a step platform on the light. Don't, don't, don't use it for a step. It's only plastic, very flexible, and a weight challenged guy like me will bend it down, put all the weight on the light, crack it around the fastening bolts, and the light will leak and fail. #2 - If you replace a light, don't, don't, don't tighten the fastening bolts down too much. If you do, it will crack the fixture and it will leak and fail. Don't ask me how I know all this. CollyM

[Tacklebuster]

A simple sticker that reads" No Step" would be a no brainer on those things. Mine leaked every 6 months and it wasn't due to that but I know what your saying. You step on those things one time and your done. What is really bad is on top of those lights, there is a pattern to make you think you should be able to step on them.... Pretty weird.

[fishing is life]

Thanks for the heads up on the step thing. I would have thought that metal was strong enough but it makes sense. I still love my leds. They have lasted longer than the others. I am lazy when it comes to unplugging and reconnecting when launching.

[Smach]

Just yesterday I called my dealer with a similar problem. Two bulbs on the right and 4 on the left were out. The EZLdr was purchased last March and he said that I would have a new UPDATED pair in the mail by this Friday or I could drive it to him and they would replace them under warrenty. Since it is a 2 hour drive I opted to do it myself.

Am I hearing that even the UPDATED ones are going to be trouble as well and how did you guys modify them with an additional ground wire?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Smach

[Tacklebuster]

I went through about four of them before I got a pair that is actually water proof and work fine. Two of which were the "updated" version. Best thing to do is get on the easyloader web site and contact customer service. They have great customer service and have sent me the lights and even a set of rear seals and bearings with see through caps to replace the faulty ones at no charge. Forget the drive, a couple of simple e-mails will do the job.

[toddsnorthriver]

What are the updated version ones all about? I've gone through about three sets myself and can't figure out why they keep leaking. I don't step on the mount and don't over tighten them so what the heck!! I'm starting to think about hand and arm signals!

[IDWITHELD]

They keep leaking because the ultrasonic weld between the jewel lense and the backing fails.

Some batches are good and seem to last . Some just leak right out of the box.

I spread a very thin layer of clear RTV on the joint and let it cure before installation.

Also, have you noticed how hard it can be to slip the light into the boot? I suspected the stress of this operation was weakening or breaking the weld. Now I use a liquid wax to assist the marriage of the boot and light. The wax is the stuff used by electricians to pull wire through conduit.

[Bluto]

I've got the stock rectangular type LED's on my 05 ez-loader (no boot to be used). Traced my last leak to a hole in the epoxy they used to seal around where the wires come out of the back of the light.

[Tacklebuster]

Just shoot me a pm and I can get you in touch with the guy that will send you out some replacement lights for free. Dragging it back and forth down the road will get old after awhile. I went through quite a few before I finally got some that don't leak, course it's only been 6 months....

[Blind Bobber]

Good discussion on this post. My current solution is to relocate my conventional lites on the top of my loading bars thus keeping them out of the water. Check back with me in a few years. I do know it makes loading in the dark a whole lot easier for this blind guy. Best of luck
BLIND BOBBER:blush: