lights on trailer

Justin SE IOWA · Mar 16, 2014

I just bought a gooseneck trailer that needs a little TLC! Anyway I will be using it at night a lot to load my tractor so Im gonna mount 2 55 watt work lights on the front. Will the 12volt hot in the plug carry enough amperage to run the lights when the trailer is plugged into the truck or do I need to run another wire from the battery to the back of the truck? I will have a switch on the light it self. I don't want to buy another battery for the trailer if I don't have to.

Janicholson · Mar 16, 2014

It should be fine 110watts divided by 12volts equals 9.1 amps. Jim

crawlerjohn · Mar 16, 2014

You could get some big LED's like I have on my rollback. They don't draw much current.

Justin SE IOWA · Mar 16, 2014

I want the LEDs but they are expensive! I already have a couple brand new lights that I never used from a different project.

John T · Mar 16, 2014

The plug and receptacle ought to handle that approximately 9 amps (110 watts/12.6 or so volts) assuming the plug is one of those typical 7 pole RV units (or a unit designed for 20 or so amps to be safe). However if it were me Id use 12 Gauge wire from the battery back to the auxiliary pin on the receptacle and, of course, protect with a 20 amp overcurrent protection device right at the battery. AS ALWAYS when wiring trailers A GOOD GROUND IS MOST IMPORTANT and if insufficient causes all sorts of problems.

John T

Paul from MI · Mar 16, 2014

2 55w lights will make quite a bit of light, maybe one would be enough if it's focused right?

David G · Mar 16, 2014

Put LED on it, will only draw a fraction of that.

Super Trucker · Mar 16, 2014

On line or ebay you can get 2 led work lights for 26$ .

Justin SE IOWA · Mar 16, 2014

How many lumans is enough for LED work lights to compare to a 55 watt work light

Janicholson · Mar 16, 2014

your 2 55watt halogen lamps will make about 1000 lumins each. Lasting about 350hours. LED producing the same output will last about 15000 hours, and suck 10% of the power,(or about one amp) for 2. Jim

fixerupper · Mar 16, 2014

LED also puts out a whiter light that seems to be more usable. Jim

uncle henry · Mar 17, 2014

i have these on mine for backing up at night and
tailgaters

Gene Dotson · Mar 17, 2014

I did the same with my trailer. Problem I ran into was the ground wire in the plug overheating and burning the wire. I inatalled an additional ground by attaching a wire to the gooseneck and another direct to the truck hitch. Ran a 10 gauge wire with a spade lug connector and solved the ground problem.

Gene

Leroy · Mar 17, 2014

LED light is very hard to see with, flashlights look like it is bright but gust can't hardly see anythinf in that light.

lights on trailer

Justin SE IOWA

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Janicholson

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crawlerjohn

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Justin SE IOWA

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John T

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Paul from MI

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David G

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Super Trucker

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Justin SE IOWA

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Janicholson

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fixerupper

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uncle henry

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Gene Dotson

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Leroy

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