LEDs have had a significant impact on the boating industry. The high output, cost-savings and longevity of LEDs have made them a favourite among boaters, regardless of the size of their boats. Many boaters know that installing LEDs as an alternative to incandescent lighting fixtures is a great option. But, many don’t realize the true benefits. Here are the top five benefits of upgrading your boat’s lighting system to LEDs. Some of them may be obvious, but others might not. Keep following us as we look through them to discover more about why LEDs are so beneficial for your boat.
1. Efficiency.
This is the main reason why boaters have migrated to LED lighting. The management of power consumption can be a problem with onboard lighting, which is something that every boater knows. Two high-powered halogen diffusers can quickly drain batteries. Running them together with full-on cabin lighting simultaneously can send skippers reeling. LEDs reduce power consumption and allow skippers to use their onboard lighting exactly as intended. An LED boat light can produce 90 lumens per W, which is a significant improvement over halogens’ 17 lumens/Watt. This means skippers can trim their overall power consumption. It will consume 8 amps instead of 32 amps once the lights were on. This level of efficiency can only be achieved with incandescent lights, so a skipper can enjoy his onboard lighting much more easily.
2. 2. Longevity
There are few things that are more painful for sail boaters than having to climb a mast in order to replace an anchor, or to light a masthead. It can be even worse for larger boats with high masts or incandescent lights that can burn out multiple times per year. Imagine only replacing these lights every 5-10 years. This is exactly the kind of life expectancy LEDs give boaters. Even yacht owners with luxury boats and power boats can benefit from LEDs’ long-lasting longevity. LEDs are durable for up to 10+ years. This means you won’t have to buy replacement bulbs, save time and money, and will not need to deal with bulb failures at the worst times. Even though they may be more expensive than others, LEDs are extremely efficient and last for many years. You will enjoy hassle-free, updated lighting and savings.
3. High Durability.
One of the most common complaints of boaters is that incandescent lighting fails under difficult conditions. This is especially true for long range cruisers, power boats, and commercial fishermen. The bulb’s fragile nature is unable to withstand driving rain, heavy seas and plowing through waves. Most cases of incandescent bulbs simply break apart from constant vibrations and being banged about. LEDs are a different animal, and can tolerate such conditions. Solid state lighting is a term used to describe LEDs. It basically means that an LED functions more like an LED than a lightbulb. LEDs don’t have glass bulbs, vacuum or internal gasses, and they are also free from fragile wire filaments that can burn out or break. An LED light that is marine grade can be installed in a quality housing using quality hardware. This will allow it to withstand harsh conditions like those experienced by standard incandescents and continue working without any flickering.
4. You can be versatile.
We picture an entire fixture that looks identical to our current incandescent boat lights. The truth is that LEDs, in fact, are solid state electronics. They are extremely small. Although they are very small in size, LEDs produce a lot lighting. Because they are small, they can be fitted into many other types of housings and fixtures. This allows boaters to have a wider variety of lighting options. For instance, LEDs can also be cut into strips. These strips can then easily be taped, glued, or placed underneath cabinets, gunwales or along stair edges. Boaters can create beautiful, efficient illumination that is invisible to the naked eye. They can also be made into wall washers that fit in closets and hallways. They can be made to fit spreaders and spotlights. They can be made in color changing configurations and integrated into furniture and appliances. You can have them in traditional designs. This will allow you to replace your existing cabin lighting by simply changing a single bulb. Let’s examine how an incandescent lamp bulb does all this.
5. Money Savings
Yes, you did read correctly. LEDs can help you save money. It might seem unbelievable at first, when you look at the price of an LED spreader, but in the end, it will pay off. A 50 watt halogen spreader lights is an example. These lights can be purchased for between $50.00 and $100.00 depending on their quality. They consume approximately 5 amps an hour. The bulbs will need replacing every 500 to 1,500 hours at $5.00 per bulb, if not less frequently due to extreme operating conditions. A 12-watt LED spreader lamp, costing $120.00, produces approximately the same amount light but will only draw 12-14 watts and 1.5 amps per minute. The bulb will last for about 50,000 hours. This means you won’t need to refill your batteries as often, but you would have to replace your halogen bulb 50 times to match the LEDs lifespan. Consider the cost of replacement lenses, new housing seals, or other wear items related to halogens. Then, suddenly, that halogen scatterer is no longer worth it.
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