Boats For Sale:
launching boat question |
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HBnautique 
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Joined: July-01-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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 Topic: launching boat questionPosted: July-02-2009 at 4:05pm |
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So I am wondering if I should be unplugging the trailer wiring when I am launching my boat? I primarily use the boat in salt water.
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Livin' the Life
My 84' 2001 |
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Donald80SN
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Joined: January-12-2009 Location: Denver, NC Status: Offline Points: 3896 |
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Posted: July-02-2009 at 4:09pm |
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HBnautique.
Some say that you should to help the bulbs cool off from the trip to the ramp. The cold or cool water hits the hot bulbs and makes them break. However, I have never unpluged mine. I just went to LED's and this is suposably does not happen with them. I hope this helps, Donald |
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C-Bass
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Joined: November-18-2008 Location: Columbus, IN Status: Offline Points: 1248 |
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Posted: July-02-2009 at 6:34pm |
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I do, especially in colder waters like Donald mentioned. The problem is as your backing down the ramp, you've got the brakes on for a good while before the bulbs hit the water, so they're nice and hot then hit the nice cold water. But I've also forgotten many times and luckily nothing happened (water was warmer though). It only takes a second, but don't forget to plug them back in obviously.
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Morfoot
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Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
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Posted: July-02-2009 at 7:03pm |
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I personally think that it doesn't really matter. I've done it both ways and haven't noticed bulbs lasting longer if I did or didn't. I guess if you do have a open wire somewhere on the trailer you won't blow a fuse if you unplugged them.
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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BuffaloBFN
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Joined: June-24-2007 Location: Gainesville,GA Status: Offline Points: 6094 |
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Posted: July-03-2009 at 9:41am |
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A little dielectric grease in the sockets will help with the salt water.
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almabes
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Joined: March-20-2008 Location: Acworth GA Status: Offline Points: 263 |
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Posted: July-08-2009 at 12:46pm |
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I always unplug before backing the trailer in.
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Terp
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Joined: November-12-2008 Location: Deep Creek Lake Status: Offline Points: 339 |
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Posted: July-09-2009 at 1:19pm |
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I always unplug and hadn't had to replace a bulb yet. Went to a different "ramp" on the 4th that was remote & unimproved (expecting very heavy traffic at the real ramps) and I guess with the slight change in the routine I forgot to unplug. Guess what I had to replace this week?
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The Dude
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Joined: October-19-2004 Location: Houston Status: Offline Points: 1334 |
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Posted: July-21-2009 at 2:58am |
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If you're in salt I'm guessing you're in warm water most of the year? I'm in same conditions and never unplug and have never replaced a bulb. Donna the Buffalo is right about the grease..
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OverMyHead
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Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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Posted: July-21-2009 at 9:32pm |
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In theory there is a "bell Jar Principle". If your lenses are intact and properly sealed the air is trapped and water should not enter, That is a big if however. I rarely remember to unplug and have few problems . I put LEDs on my last trailer and will do the same to this one when it needs repair. Dave.
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
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SNobsessed
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Posted: July-22-2009 at 12:12am |
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I have the type of lights that have an air pocket. The bottom of them is wide open. I have had this style for 20 years, have yet to blow a bulb during launch.
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HBnautique
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Posted: July-22-2009 at 4:26pm |
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Yeah that is the kind of lights I have too. So this past weekend I unplugged the lights before launching and did NOT break any bulbs. Yea! So for now I am going to keep doing that until I decide to upgrade to some LED's
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Livin' the Life
My 84' 2001 |
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37N122W
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Joined: December-15-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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Posted: July-23-2009 at 9:35pm |
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I never unplugged it in the past. This recent trip I did. Then proceeded to drive down the road to the cabin to park the trailer and forgot to hook the lights up again. I ended up dragging the wire and lost the 7 to 4 pin adapter. So I had to jerry rig my lights to get down to the nearest town where I could get an adapter. All the while the family is dead tired from vacation and facing a 4.5 hour trip home in 110 degree heat!
I'm leaving the suckers plugged in from now on... JJ |
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"It never gets easier, you just go faster." Greg LeMond
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