Stern Trailer Lights on 21EC

[SilverSurfur]

Purchased a 2011 Ranger 21EC. I noticed two LED lights mounted on stern. Manual has them listed as "Trailer Lights". I am unable to get them to light up. Not sure if they are functional. They do not come on toggling the Navigation Lights or Deck Lights toggle. Might there be another location to power them up? If they are spent, where could I go to purchase replacements?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

They only work when the trailer is plugged into the boat with the grey cable into the plug by the anchor.
You could find the wires and connect to the deck lights if you want.

 

[SilverSurfur]

Awesome. I appreciate the information.

Thank you.

 

[Fisho]

There are two red LED lights on rear and an orange LED on each side that come on when you connect your tow vehicle and connect the wire on trailer to the plug near the anchor. This is for towing at night. I have also wired a switch in the cabin so I can turn them on when moored or cruising at night. But if you do this it is VERY IMPORTANT to have a one way connector in the power line to stop the tow vehicle power messing with the boats power and electronics etc when towing.

 

[SilverSurfur]

Thanks again for the guidance. Curious how you wired them up with a switch. Is the circuit ran through the fuse panel? I like the idea of being able to light them when anchored.

Appreciate the guidance.

 

[rpmerrill]

Neat idea. I remember finding the trailer harness plug up in the anchor locker back when I bought the boat. I don't trailer, but I never thought of using the lights out on the water. Might be fun.

However, I just read a Boat US article about installing underwater lighting, etc. They did quote the Coats Guard regs about non-standard lighting. (Particularly in a "controlled navigation" area.) Now, I doubt very much that the CG is going out to ticket lit up boats at night, but it is something to be reasonably cautious about, especially if any lights happen to blink.

But still I can't wait to see what kind of atmosphere the trailer lights can create. I have always liked the little cabinside lights along the walkway up to the bow.

 

[SilverSurfur]

That is an interesting point. I am here in San Diego where the CG, Harbor Police, and BP, are frequent. Not sure if they would take notice, but certainly not worth a citation.

So my next question might seem like a really dumb one, but I saw the round light plug near the anchor. How do you use that in conjunction with the trailer lights being plugged into the truck harness?

I purchased my trailer locally, and it simply is a 5 wire that plugs into truck tow harness. Do I need to pick up an adaptor to plug between these?

Thanks again.

 

[bob daily]

Silver surfer, you'll need to make a pig tale with a plug attached (spliced in) to the running lights for the trailer. You'll probably need to ask ranger parts dept where to get the male plug. Mine simply goes over the bow of the boat and plugs in, when trailer lights are on so is the back boat lights.
If I was going to power from the boat for underway use, I would splice in power from the fuse panel under the helm to a switch and then to the running light wires under the starboard side bunk area.
Hope this helps Bob