Slightly Twisted's new project

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

If you only have to mess with them every few years, your ahead of the game. I have 5 trailers, 3 boat & 2 utility, i tried about 4 sets of the led and went back to bulbs. I trailer a lot and I think the vibration takes its toll on the led lights. I run 3 wires from each light to the pigtail. And when i put a new bulb in, i use the dielectric grease on it.

I know how to work on a bulb set up, led's, you just throw away and go buy more.

Phat, I totally agree that bulbs are far easier than LED's to work on, but remember that LED's are far less likely to be effected by water or vibration. Most times when an LED trailer light stops working it's a bad wire someplace. The LED's themselves are totally encased in glass or plastic and are immune to water... however the wires going from the bulbs to the PC board can corrode at the connections on the board. Next time you have one fail, open the light housing, carefully remove the LED strips and the PC board and take a soldering iron and remelt every connection where the bulb(s) are soldered to the PC board. I've successfully repaired several lights that way.

[SkunkBoat]

my favorite subject

I have had sections of LED lights corrode in the second season and the "sealing" plastic made them impossble to repair. China can make things that look like lights...

I will add that you should make sure your trailer plug has a white wire connected to chassis ground on BOTH the car and trailer. Some cheap plugs don't do this and rely on the connection of the trailer, ball which just plain sucks.

[bradford]

Saltwater trailers should be exempt from any electrical requirements.

My last set of lights didn't work for about 8 or 9 years.

[Slightly_Twisted]

So it's been really crazy around here. Work and family have been all over the place! I've been trying to work on the boat but it's hard to find time. We were able to go on our frist shake down cruse!!!***128523; Everything went really well, we idled for about 10-15 mins then ran it at speed for about 20 mins or so. I was so impressed it had been so long since I had been in a V. After being in Jon boats, and bass boats I missed the smooth ride of a deep V. The only problem we had was the starter drive gear wasn't in the best shape and it wasn't engaging correctly. So we had to get towed in after a stop and it wouldnt engage. we had planed for a break down and had a second boat on call for a tow.

After getting back to the house, I order a few carb kits, starter drive gear, and a new steering system. I went with the Uflex rotech rotatory system. So far so good the carbs are cleaned, rebuilt, installed, and runnning. The steering system is installed and working. I don't have the best reaction to carb cleaner so I have to go full out with the gear when using it.

Most people have pulled their boats from the lake already so I rigged up a back up motor so we can do some more testing.

[Slightly_Twisted]

One more

[Destroyer]

It is always a good idea to have a get home engine. And I love how creative you are in rigging it to your swim platform ladder.... but how is the board secured to the platform?. All I can see in the pics is a board between the handlebars and the engine clamped to that board. I'm just concerned that it's not just wedged there, because until you see it, it's hard to realize just how much torque is applied by even a small 2.5 engine. Not saying it won't work, just saying that I'd hate for you to see your engine break off and go to the bottom of the lake. (Make sure you have a safety cable attached to the engine at the very least).

Other than that I love what you're doing with that boat. She looks great and it's easy to see that she's got a good home. Well done!!!!

[Slightly_Twisted]

Yeah when I was building it I was thinking the same thing. The 2x6 is screwed into a 2x10 that is flat on the swim platform and butts up to the hull. I then used two 800 lbs straps to hold it down. I have two ropes for safety straps and thinking I'll add a 3rd. I really don't want to buy my friend a new motor!!