Where is the amber/clear? I thought red lights were used on the rear, amber/red was used as fender markers and amber was used on the sides and front. Could it have been a colored LED with a clear lens?
Posted 2012-03-17 10:08 PM (#142227 - in reply to #142217) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
I see how you can be confused about the fender clearance light, one is missing, and the on the other side it looks clear/white, but it is faded red.You can't have white lights on the side of the trailer, the fender clearance light is amber to the front, and red to the back. If you can't find it locally, contact the manufacture, and find out the closest dealer, or go to the largest horse trailer dealer close to you.....I have to correct myself about the white/clear lights, you could have them on a trailer (loading lights) but they can't be on while moving.
Posted 2012-03-18 8:58 AM (#142233 - in reply to #142227) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by BigT on 2012-03-17 10:08 PM
I see how you can be confused about the fender clearance light, one is missing, and the on the other side it looks clear/white, but it is faded red.You can't have white lights on the side of the trailer, the fender clearance light is amber to the front, and red to the back. If you can't find it locally, contact the manufacture, and find out the closest dealer, or go to the largest horse trailer dealer close to you.....I have to correct myself about the white/clear lights, you could have them on a trailer (loading lights) but they can't be on while moving.
Just to confirm ... BigT is correct. You may rely on his info
Posted 2012-03-18 10:52 AM (#142238 - in reply to #142217) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Member
Posts: 5
Location: CA
Thanks to all . . . and a couple follow-up questions.
Can I replace an old standard fixture with LED without changing others at the same time?
If I do replace entire fixtures what's the best way to remove old ones that seem to be riveted on; and what's the best way to attach new ones? Do I need to buy a rivet tool? If so is there a decent low cost option?
THANKS - this is all new to me - long time horseman - first time trailer owner! Love this forum!
Posted 2012-03-18 8:52 PM (#142250 - in reply to #142217) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
I have mixed LED and regular lights without any problems.Your lights have been installed with pop rivets, to remove them you drill them out, not with the size of the total rivet head,but with the size of the stem, most likely with a 1/8" or 3/16" drill bit. A pop rivet tool with a small supply of rivets should cost around $10.00. Where the pop rivet goes through the trailer metal is where the light gets it ground, make sure you have clean exposed metal around the hole. If later you have a light that won't work or is dim, and you already replaced the bulb, most likely it would be a bad ground, which you would do the same as replacing a pop rivet.
Posted 2012-03-18 10:09 PM (#142253 - in reply to #142217) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If you have an aluminum trailer, use aluminum pop rivets to affix the light. If it's a steel trailer, use steel pop rivets, not aluminum; the metals should be compatable. The grounding can be enhanced by abrading the area near the rivet holes, and adding some dielectric grease to the area between the lights' mounting plate and the trailer body, before the rivet is installed.
Over sized rivets are available if the holes are enlarged when the heads are drilled off. It is also possible to use pan head SS sheet metal screws to hold the light assy, if the rivets can't adequately secure the new fixture.
Before the new light is installed, it's a good idea to add sealant around the bottom of the lights' base circumference, before it is placed against the trailer's body. This will prevent water from entering the trailer through the wiring hole, and lessen the chance of moisture degrading the wiring connection. This will look and seal better, than running caulking around the outside of the base after the light is installed.
Posted 2012-03-19 10:12 AM (#142271 - in reply to #142217) Subject: RE: Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Gard is absolutely correct. You could use a sheet metal screw to affix the fixture, but should use a compatible metal like stainless for aluminum or steel. I did much the same thing,and scraped a light lens off, ( I have no idea where that Joshua tree came from!), and went to www.adventurev.net to get a nice led light, and put it on with a dab of silicone underneath to seal it, and seal the wire where it comes through the fender for abrasion protection. I also used stainless screws.
Replacing side marker lights on CM Competitor
