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Light output is determined by the lamp, reflector, and driver designs. Two similar looking lights can have vastly different performance capabilities.
Lamp and Reflector Selection
Light sources may be divided into four groups based on how they create light: Thermal Radiation (Incandescent), Low Pressure Discharge (Fluorescent), High Pressure Discharge (High Intensity Discharge HID), and Solid State Semiconductors (LED). For yacht underwater lights, the best and brightest choices are HID and LED. LEDs offer significant advantages such as efficiency, longer operating life, color choices, and the ability to dim and strobe. With good thermal management, LEDs can also be run in air, creating a neat “afterburner” effect behind the boat.
Reflectors are used to channel light to create a narrow spot light for maximum projection away from the vessel, giving the appearance of long oars, or can provide wide-angle flood lights with overlapping beams that surround the ship in a uniform sea of light. A properly designed reflector will not only provide an even dispersion of light, but also minimize losses within the reflector to improve efficiency.
Driver Electronics
LEDs are part of a larger electronic circuit that can be affected by wide voltage inputs and excess heat. Protecting the LEDs is the job of the driver electronics. Thru-Hull SeaLite®, for example, have over and under voltage protection and a thermal rollback circuit that automatically regulates the temperature.
Installing underwater lights in a yacht can dramatically enhance the nighttime boating experience. But, it’s something that if you’re going to do it, make sure you do it right. Choose a light that is not only bright, but also engineered to be safe and reliable.
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