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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

LED vs STD lights on a trailer

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Farmer in the D

09-15-2005 04:35:50




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I have a trailer that rides smooth loaded. It does bounce a bit empty and has a problem taking out lights now and again. I was going to put some rubber under the mounts. Has anybody put LED lights on your trailers and have they lasted any longer than usual? There is no filament so shouldn't they last? I like the light exposure but they get a little expen$ive to have them go out all the time.




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Galen

09-16-2005 05:50:46




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
Well - I put a pair of standard lights on my home-built trailer 5 years ago - never had a problem, haven't changed a bulb. BIL put LED's on his 3 months ago and has replaced one already. For the cost - they ain't worth it (IMHO).



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Bob M

09-15-2005 18:36:24




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
I'd highly recommend LED's!! After quickly burning out several grommet mount sealed lights incandesant light assembly on my flatbed ($10 every time one goes out...), I replaced them with sealed LED's. Have not had a lamp failure since. I've been so pleased I'm now replacing the OEM marker and ID lights with LED's as they burn out.

I paid $18 apiece for the LED's tail lights at a local sporting goods(!) store. They are a direct, plug-in replacement.

Only downside is the LED's run so cool, in winter they tend to load up and become obscured with slush/snow when there's snow on the road. Unlike incandescent lights LEDs generate no heat to melt thru the buildup.

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Trkr

09-15-2005 18:25:02




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
There great the only problem Ive had was some b@stard in South Carolina stole them out of the back of my trailer while sleeping.If you put em in rivit em in.



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Ryan - WI

09-15-2005 18:16:23




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
I will probably be the only dissenting opinion here but...
I looked into it not too long ago and I figured that for the cost of the retrofit I would have to burn out a heck of a lot of bulbs. To me it wasn't worth it. Your results may vary



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TP from Central PA

09-15-2005 14:12:00




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
We have LED"s on a bunch of trailers where I work. They are very nice at night as they are really bright(Use less power), but they are expensive and in the winter don"t give off enough heat to melt the snow/ice that accumulates on the rear of some of the trailers. Lately we"ve been putting one regular one on each side with the rest being LED"s and it cured the problem of drivers have to stop and clear the snow/ice off.

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George in Biloxi

09-15-2005 09:43:06




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
There are many options. Sometimes a resistor is needed to give a load. In many newer cars the bulb out lite would come on as the current is so low for an LED that it thinks it is dead. I know trailers sometimes need this device in the circuit for them to work correctly. They are expensive, but great for a number of reasons. If you look, almost all of the commercial fleets are using them and retrofitting.

Link

Link

Here are a few. Do a search on LED lights.

George

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RodinNS

09-15-2005 09:38:16




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
I haven't heard any problem about he LED's giving up because of vibration or bouncing. Most heavy trucks and trailers are going LED now. That said, if they are physically being smashed, then it will get awful expensive to replace them. I think they run about 10 times the cost of regular lights, but last 10 times as long in service, if not smashed. Their biggest feature is reduced electrical consumption, which can be a big thing and a van trailer with umpteen clearance lights. You can get the LED's at any truck parts supplier, and generally as ecnomically or better than anywhere else. HTH.

Rod

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Hog

09-15-2005 07:21:49




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
Where are the led lights available?



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dan67

09-15-2005 07:05:03




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
led are a bit expensive but a great light, It"s best to wire your goung staight to the plug. Read a thread about them from a manufature and they would rather see the ground at the plug not frame.



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john *.?-!.* cub owner

09-15-2005 06:36:44




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
LED lights are great for longevity, less problems with lamp failure, sockets corroding, etc, however LED lights are expensive, and if your main problem is breaking the lights rather than failure from age and weather, stay with the cheaper stnadard lights.



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Brent A.

09-15-2005 05:07:23




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
My trailer is only a year old and I replaced the rear lights with LEDs and I'm very happy with them. They are brighter and should last a lot longer.



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Scotmac

09-15-2005 04:43:04




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI) , 09-15-2005 04:35:50  
All the new trailers I sell are equiped with LED lighting. I have some trailers out I sold four years ago that have never had a light replaced.



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Robert Lorencz

09-15-2005 05:11:11




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Scotmac, 09-15-2005 04:43:04  
Good Morning
I have 2 trailers equipped with standard lights, how easy is it to convert them to LED lighting? I am in Ontario, Canada.
Thanks
Robert



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mike brown

09-15-2005 05:31:24




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Robert Lorencz, 09-15-2005 05:11:11  
Depends on what type lights you have now. Some are direct replacements for existing type so it's plug and play. If not you wire your existing wire to the pig tails on the led unit. I recomend grounding through the wire harness to the plug. A faulty ground will still cause led lights to malfunction and most trailer electric gremlins are caused by corroded ground connections to the trailer frame.

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Robert Lorencz

09-15-2005 06:03:56




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to mike brown, 09-15-2005 05:31:24  
Thanks for the info. I sure know about the gremlins, I have one trailer that uses the frame for a ground and I have nothing but problems with the lights, the other trailer runs ground wires back to the connector and no problems with this one. I have seen trailers with these LEDs and I am impressed with how much brighter the tail lights and brake lights are. I think I am going to rewire a trailer and put LEDs in!

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Silver Pig

09-15-2005 05:25:30




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 Re: LED vs STD lights on a trailer in reply to Robert Lorencz, 09-15-2005 05:11:11  
I just exchanged the old lights for the LED assemblies, no additional wiring needed. Greatest thing I ever did on my trailer.



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