Most boat owners know that incandescent bulbs not only place an additional strain on onboard generators, but require frequent replacement, emit large amounts of heat, and lack versatility. Still, the hesitation to move away from incandescent technology exists and it seems many LED manufacturers are to blame.

Essentially, what a fresh coat of paint does for your house, lighting can do for your boat. It is a reasonably-priced solution with a high payoff. LED lamps are extremely energy efficient, long lasting, and provide a high quality of light. For boat owners, the biggest advantage to using LED lamps is the ability to balance the energy use onboard.

source: green-home-design.com

Sounds like a no-brainer upgrade, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, many LED manufacturers are pushing boat owners into an LED lighting purchase by promising a high performing product that fails to actually deliver.

Aside from making LED lighting manufacturers walk the plank, what can you do to make sure you don’t get swindled?

1.       Analyze the lamp design

Analysing the LED lamp design is challenging, as many LEDs look the same but include significant design and construction differences that you cannot see, such as the quality of the materials used, the coatings and compounds, the housing, the finishes, the seals, etc. So how can you know whether an LED lamp is low or high quality based on the design?

Look at the lens design. If there are multiple LED light sources, chances are the light will include shadows and hot spots. A single LED light source generally provides a more evenly-distributed light. For a more in depth look into lens design and light quality, see Light quality of LED lamps.

Bad lens design	Good lens design

 

2.       Research the product specifications

There are a few key metrics you should be aware of prior to selecting an LED lamp:

• Light output. Light output is measured in lumens and establishes the brightness of the light. The higher the output, the brighter. There is a direct correlation between light output and the amount of energy used: the higher the lumens, the more energy is required.
• Efficacy: Efficacy is measured in lumens/Watt and establishes how energy efficient a lamp is based on its output and energy requirements. The higher the number of lumens/Watt the more efficient the lamp.
• CRI: Color Rendering Index, or CRI, is a metric used to measure the ability of a light source to reproduce colors faithfully. Essentially it speaks to the quality of the light and is measured on a scale between 0-100, with 100 being the “best possible rendition of colors”. For LEDs, anything above 70 is considered high light quality.

 3.       Research the reputation of the manufacturer

Look at the manufacturer’s website.

• Do they provide datasheets, or other resources, for their products?
• Can you contact them easily (phone, email, social channels, etc.)?
• Do they have a warranty program (refund/replacement)?
• Are they knowledgeable about the industry (blog/newsletter)?
• Do they have customer case studies or testimonials?

These elements can help you determine whether the manufacturer is reputable and credible.

4.       Beware the deal that’s too good to be true

The fact is, the upfront cost of LED lighting is more than other technologies on the market, so if you’re being offered a too-good-to-be-true bargain, be extremely wary! The only way manufacturers can offer such bargain basement prices is to use low quality components and materials in the lamp design.  This can affect light quality, output, color properties, and lifetime to name but a few.

Lighting is not the area to scrimp. A high performing LED lamp is energy efficient and allows you to balance your energy usage onboard without hassle or worry. A well-designed lens provides a high quality of light and allows you to show off your boat in the best possible light. These factors are too important to sacrifice. Plus, depending on your usage, the return on investment can be fairly quick.

So before upgrading the lighting on your boat to LED lamps, ensure you do your homework…oar else!

TIP: Purchase one or two lamps as testing samples prior to going all in. If the manufacturer’s warranty is any good, you’ll be able to get your money back if you’re not satisfied. Make sure you check the timeframe for returns!