Newbie’s Question

[FZ]

Should I disconnect the light between truck and boat trailer when launching the boat?

[Fishin4Life]

I don't, never had a problem. Many will say yes it could short out, which it probably could. But I have heard that 12v will rarely short out in water.

[Finns]

I do because hot light bulbs and cold water don't mix.

Finns.

[IFallsRon]

I always unconnect. But it's been a long time since I've had to have the bumper in the water to launch or load.

[BobT]

Might depend on your trailer. As one post noted, hot bulbs will burst when submerged. Some trailers, like my E-Z Loader, have the bulbs sealed in a protective lense to avoid the issue.

Bob

[Guest]

Some do, I dont. Expect to blow out a couple bulbs a year if you fish frequently if you dont disconnect them... good trade($2) and a couple minutes time to change a bulb once in a great while for when your loading the boat at night and the tail lights help.

I switched over to LED this year and I will never have to worry about disconnecting again amongst other advantages... well worth the exrta cash when you consider the standard *submersable* lights always tend to get corroded in a few years and lose contact... so then your planning to change a bulb and find yourself out there with sandpaper cleaning contacts for 30 minutes so you can go fishing. The LED lights are completely sealed internally so even if a lense cracks somewhere down the line, the water will never get to the lights and resistors.

[BobT]

I guess I have been fortunate that I have not had to deal with corrosion issues on my E-Z Loader trailers. I owned my first 1991 model until about a year ago when I sold it with my boat and never replaced a lamp. I have now owned my second one (1997 model) for about a year and haven't replaced a bulb but I can't say about the previous owner.

Bob