Beware of the ww2 Trailer Connector

[dr deuce]

Last night, I went to install LED tail lights in my light bar at the end of the barrel of my 57mm AT gun. The running lights were dim and with the voltage drop over almost 50 ft of wire, the LEDs would be a great safety replacements. I installed one, great, then I installed the other. Neither lit. Come to find out, I had lost my ground. The LED lights cannot share like the bulbs with filaments.

Looking for the ground problem led me back to the WW2 bakelite connector. I had a bad connection inside. Now the problem and something everyone with a WW2 trailer connector should look at and take care of: The screws had all rusted! None came out. They are US 6-32 machine screws of 2 different lengths. They will all be replaced with 6-32 bolts, nuts and lock washers of the stainless steel variety with anti-sieze compound. This situation occurred after about 12 years. I shudder to think about my water buffalo which I have had for almost 30 years...