CE Smith Guide Install -- Electrical Question

[Edward]

Forgive me if this has been asked before. I thought I had seen this somewhere but can't find. I'm about to connect the electrical for the lights that go the de smith guides, and I had a question on grounding. The included wiring is not long enough to ground to a point on the trailer that will not be under water. Does that matter? This can't be a lot of voltage. If my ground point is under water will this short things out?

 

[Andy S]

Forgive me if this has been asked before. I thought I had seen this somewhere but can't find. I'm about to connect the electrical for the lights that go the de smith guides, and I had a question on grounding. The included wiring is not long enough to ground to a point on the trailer that will not be under water. Does that matter? This can't be a lot of voltage. If my ground point is under water will this short things out?

Grounding to your trailer at a point that will end up underwater will not cause any immediate issues and work just fine. However, if you boat in salt water that ground connection will be a place that will corrode over time if not keep clean.

 

[Glassman]

Grind away the paint at the spot you make your ground. Make a good connection and test to make sure it works.
Then paint with a high quality paint or use something like liquid electrical tape:

http://www.amazon.com/Shoreline-Mar...234139&sr=8-2&keywords=Liquid+Electrical+Tape

 

[Edward]

Thanks guys.

 

[KXCam22]

While you are wiring it is worth running a true ground wire down the trailer tubes and grounding it near the hitch. It will take much or your trailer light maintenance away. Cam.