Why Does Ground Wire Corrode on Aluminum Trailer

Updated 08/26/2019 | Published 08/25/2019

Question:

Ground wire on alum. Trailer. I swiched out mt condence lights to led on my alum. Trailer. Got them working fine. But about every 18 months the ground wire corrodes and get this white powder all through the wire so lights stop working what is causing this and what is the fix for this. Thank you

asked by: James G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for the photo and what is causing the ground wire is the aluminum trailer; it's called galvanic corrosion and is an unfortunate side effect of having an aluminum trailer. This happening once every 18 months or so sounds about right and the truth is there simply is no fix for this. You'll have to just use a wire brush and remove the white powder - the corrosion - and then re-attach the ground. I know it's an inconvenience but it is the only thing you can do in this case.

expert reply by: Kyle S