LED lights can be quite useful for boats, for obvious reasons. They’re solid state and very durable, their easily installed, and very energy efficient. As we know, LEDs typically use about ten percent as much energy as a comparable incandescent bulb.

Running Lights
One of the best uses of LEDs on a boat is for navigation lights. For instance, you can replace your bow running lights, port and starboard, with LEDs and use a total of two watts for the same two nautical mile range that’s standard on boats under 65 feet. They’ll also be very low maintenance, lasting up to 100,000 hours, and extend battery life. LEDs are also very impact and vibration resistant, which will improve reliability, obviously very important for running lights.

Chart Lights
Chart lights also adapt well to the use of LEDs. You can purchase chart lights that use a combination of white and red LEDs, so that vision can be preserved with red light during night time boating. Some even come with photo detectors that automatically use the red LED after dark. Look for a chart light with a flexible neck and touch sensitive switching for the ultimate in long-lasting efficiency.

Strip Lighting
LED strip lighting is great for use on boats. These strips can be easily installed in engine rooms, bilges, and other small spaces where convenient lighting is needed. The can be run inline or on their own to provide white or colored light in areas the otherwise would be hard to light. Again, low current draw and durability are the two main pros.

Cabin, Deck and Thru Hull Lights
The uses for LEDs on boats is nearly limitless, but they obviously quite good for cabin lights, where their soft, diffuse light is very appealing. As LEDs become brighter and more efficient, they’re even more applicable to deck lighting, spreader lights, area lights, etc. Many boaters also install them below the water line with through hulls, particularly in the transom.

LEDs are the light source of the future, there’s little doubt about that. Boating is one of many great uses for them, and their many configurations and fixtures make them hard to beat for all kinds of boating applications.

LEDs for head, tail and turn signal lights
LED lights for cars come in many shapes and sizes. LEDs are great for tail light and turn signals. They’re also beginning to be used for headlamps, although that application presents some problems. LEDs produce a fair amount of heat at the base of the diode, as opposed to traditional incandescents, which emit the light forward as infrared radiation.

If you’re thinking of replacing your turn signals, tail or parking lights with LEDs, you should be aware of a few things. For one, use an LED that’s the same color as the lens. A red lens, for instance, will filter out all but the red part of the spectrum, so most of the light from a red LED will get through. If you used a white LED with a red lens, the lens would filter out most of the light.

Issues with standard flashers
The flasher units used to make incandescent light bulbs turn on and off, as with turn signal lights, won’t work properly with LEDs due to their lower voltage draw. LEDs used for turn signals require an electronic flasher, which are usually available from the LED retailer, or at an auto parts store. You can also use a load resistor to simulate the voltage draw of an incandescent bulb.

While LEDs are not as bright as incandescents overall, they have many advantages. LEDs are solid state, so they’re much more durable and longer lasting. They also turn on and off faster, and come in a wide variety of colors.

To replace your current car lights with LEDs, find the bulb type and model that you currently have and cross-reference to find a suitable LED replacement. LEDs come with standard bayonet and dual contact bases, and empty sockets and adapter kits are also available.

Beyond functional lights
If you’re not looking to replace your turn signals or tail lights, and are more interested in dressing up your car with decorative lights, there are a wide variety of LEDs available. The most popular are light bars and strips, colored dashboard lights, dome lights, door handle lights and under-car LED lights. LEDs are ideal for this type of lighting since they’re very small and unobtrusive, and can be easily installed in small spaces.

There’s no question LEDs will gain more and more traction in car lighting. Their durability, efficiency and wide spectrum of colors make them ideal for all kinds of applications. Before purchasing though, be sure to check compatibility with your current lights.

Battery LED Lights

LED’s have become more and more popular lately, as they become more economical, and awareness spreads of their durability and efficiency. For many applications, such as battery operated lights, auto, motorcycle and boat lights, LED’s are far and away the best alternative.

LED’s can be ten times more efficient than a similar incandescent. Also, if you’re shopping for a light that needs to be fairly durable, there’s really no comparison. Because they’re solid state, LED’s will always outlast a comparable incandescent. Anybody who’s ever dropped a flashlight with a hot incandescent bulb can testify to how easily they can be broken, leaving you in the dark.

LED Flashlights
LED Flashlights come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny ones that fit on your key-chain, to large, 12v rechargeable models that can provide 80 lumens of light and last up to 20,000 hours. Many LED flashlights are rechargeable, some actually come equipped with a small hand crank for manual charging, and may incorporate a radio or flashing red LED light, which are great to have around in case of emergencies.

LED Headlamps
If you’re into hiking, camping, backpacking, or ever find yourself working on something in the dark that requires two hands, there’s really nothing more convenient than an LED headlamp. They’re quite small and don’t get in the way, they’ll last forever on a couple lithium button or AAA batteries, and the diffuse, evenly distributed light that the LED lights provide is easy on the eyes, while still being very illuminating.

If you’ve never tried an LED headlamp, and you need a hands-free light, I highly recommend checking out the wide variety of headlamps available. They can cost anywhere from $15 to $300 dollars, so there’s something available for any application you can think of. I have two or three, and keep one in my car in case of emergencies, and for when I need a handy, hands-free light.

LED Tap Lights
Tap lights are one of the most popular applications for battery powered LED lights. These are small and often have an adhesive backing, so they can be easily placed in all kinds of areas, including cabinets, under counters, over work benches, etc. Just tap the light to turn it on, and tap it again to turn if off. They’re small, economical, and long-lasting.

Have a look at the wide variety of LED battery lights available. They are by far the most efficient form of lighting available, and as they become more popular and the technology improves, they’re becoming a lot cheaper. LED’s truly are the lighting source of the future, and you can expect to see more news about them as they make further inroads into our every day life.