Trailer wiring problem

[sniper61]

I have a new set of lights and wires under the seat of my truck. It is just a matter of time. One night I spent some time under my trailer at a truck stop in the midwest , I finally took the lens of and put a pen light in there . Then theres the boat ramp parking lot . Where I find them shatter from other boaters.

 

[sickles107]

Likey broken/pinched/corroded wire(s) in the harness. A single wire might have 20 strands within it, and can still show continuity and static voltage as long as 1 of the 20 strands is it tact. The wire only "fails" when it is asked to be loaded (amperage)

Sounds silly but there is such thing as a wiggle test. Apply constant voltage to the wire in question at the trailer plug, and wiggle the harness every 6in or so all along to the light. Your close to the break when you wiggle the harness and the light works (connecting the broken strands or rubbing through corrosion)

Could be at an obvious pivot point from bending back and fourth a bunch, or could be a hole in the wire insulation in a non obvious spot.

 

[TaperPin]

Trailer wiring kits are really inexpensive and worth the hassle of fighting old wires. Best $20 you spend.

 

[Wrench]

So....speaking of wire and corrosion, has anyone bought any stranded wire lately that doesn't suck? I have several spools that corrode at any insulation break. I have soldered and shrinked, solderless crimp with and without shrink....it doesn't matter....it will break.

 

[The Guide]

So....speaking of wire and corrosion, has anyone bought any stranded wire lately that doesn't suck? I have several spools that corrode at any insulation break. I have soldered and shrinked, solderless crimp with and without shrink....it doesn't matter....it will break.

Since covid times it has been a race to the bottom on most consumables and especially with wire of all grades and sizes. Used to be you shot your luck with wire from Amazon but now it is the same chances of getting junk from the supply house and at 3x the price.

Jay

 

[doc holiday13]

Since covid times it has been a race to the bottom on most consumables and especially with wire of all grades and sizes. Used to be you shot your luck with wire from Amazon but now it is the same chances of getting junk from the supply house and at 3x the price.

Jay

You're fairly right about that. I feel like all the premade trailer wire harnesses look like they're 10 years old after 6 months of use