Protecting Trailer Electrical Connections from Salt Water on a Boat Trailer

Updated 03/30/2016 | Published 03/27/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Black Bracket and Single Wire Plug for Thin Line Series Trailer Clearance and Side Marker Lights

(485)

$5.42

Primary Wire Heat-Shrinkable Tubing - 18-14 Gauge - Red - 1/8" Shrink Diameter - 6" Long

(111)

$4.48

Loctite Bulb, Lamp, and Electrical Connection Dielectric Grease - 0.33-Oz Tube

(137)

$9.00

Question:

How will the mounting bracket with light hold up being submersed in salt water on a boat trailer? My concern is that over time, the male and female connections will corrode over time being exposed to the salt water dunkings leaving a failed electrical connection.

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

What I recommend doing is wrapping electrical connections using heat shrink tubing # DW05452. This will keep on the water and preserve the metal connectors from the light. I also recommend using dielectric grease # LT37534 between electrical connections to repel moisture.

I also recommend running a jumper ground from the light ground location somewhere further up on the trailer (at a spot that won't be under water) so that the ground is not affected.

If at all possible, rinse the trailer off with fresh water as soon as you can to rinse away the salt.

expert reply by: Michael H