Failed Hella Naviled Nav light

Erin · 23 February 2011, 09:38

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of Hella Marine as a company. Do they offer the same outstanding customer service that Garmin do, for example.

My 3 yr old starboard Nav light has failed, or at least two of the three LED's inside have packed up. It's a totally sealed unit so there's nothing I can do except get a replacement. The paperwork which came with the light states that it is warranted against defects etc, and to contact my supplier for further detail. I did, but they are saying it is only covered for 12 months. I was wondering if there was any way to circumvent the supplier (EC Smith via a local chandler) in the hope that dealing direct with Hella might elicit a better response. Any thoughts?

Channel Ribs · 23 February 2011, 09:48

I have always found them very good, try an email vie their site www.hellamarine.com

Edit: If you do need a replacement they are about 60 squids.

willk · 23 February 2011, 10:04

I've wondered about LED Nav lights. I have had very mixed experiences with LED lights/torches in general use. Some last well but others start to fail when they are at very low hours. A RIB installation must be among the harshest there is. Still, Hella should be good kit and hopefully they will come to some arrangement with you.

One concern I've had re LED nav lights is that there's very little I could do if they fail at sea. At least with the incandescent units, it's simple to cobble together a repair...

Mollers · 23 February 2011, 10:08

I have Hella 2Nm P&S on the 'Os Spray. In terms of peformance, I like 'em. As for longevity? My boat rarely sees outdoors, so not a fair test.

willk · 23 February 2011, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

In terms of peformance, I like 'em

Me too, they're very pretty in the right light

Erin · 23 February 2011, 11:34

I chose them principally because they were completely sealed units, and I know that Hella have a good reputation in the automotive market. I've had problems in the past with corroded contacts in the old types, and I would never bother with the aftermarket LED clusters to fit into bulb types. LED and sealed seemed the way to go.

£60

. I paid £40 for mine 3 years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I have had very mixed experiences with LED lights/torches in general use. Some last well but others start to fail when they are at very low hours.

I use a LED Lenser torch for work (surveying) and it is fantastic, probably the best torch I've ever owned taking size and performance into account. Expensive, but so bright and economic run.

Erin · 23 February 2011, 14:54

Just had a reply from Hella Marine. They will be sending me a new set gratis

. Sterling service I say, up with the likes of Garmin.

Channel Ribs · 23 February 2011, 14:56

Result

Was that via the hellamarine.com contact form?

Erin · 23 February 2011, 15:35

Yep

bogib · 23 February 2011, 15:47

We have had those Hella LED´s navigation lights for three years on our lifeboat Stefnir and they are still good as new and they have gone through serious of seas and conditions..... we change them as the navigational lights that came with the RIB was blowing bulbs regularly.

Bogi

jyasaki · 24 February 2011, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

My boat rarely sees outdoors, so not a fair test.

You do a lot of indoor boating, then?

jky

Poly · 24 February 2011, 18:23

Erin good result!

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

One concern I've had re LED nav lights is that there's very little I could do if they fail at sea. At least with the incandescent units, it's simple to cobble together a repair...

Most LED lights on boats have multiple LEDs. If a single LED fails the rest will still serve you well. If they all fail I'd have thought this was most likely a wiring type fault which you either have no chance of fixing at sea or can cobble around, that seems the most likely fault with incandescents except for a bulb failing. There are of course "emergency nav lights" available and I'm sure you could cobble something together to have a backup with a bulb, some coloured plastic and bits of wire etc...

willk · 24 February 2011, 19:07

My only problems with incandescent fittings so far have been corrosion on the copper contacts and blown bulbs, both quickly sorted from the spares/repairs box.

My worry with LED clusters is that some of the torches I've seen fail had the LEDs built into "circuit boards" with common wiring. I accept that the chance of a problem at sea is small, but my OCD would force me to replace the unit later if even one LED failed. Costly, at the rate I've had LEDs go pop. TBH, a nav light failure wouldn't raise a sweat on me as the only things out here in the evenings/nights are the ducks and penguins... and they haven't got PLB2 anyway

Erin · 24 February 2011, 20:00

I'll cut my old nav light open once I've got the replacements fitted. It'll be interesting to see what failed, whether it was the diodes or the board they're fixed to. It was suprisingly dim in comparison to the working port lamp, and even though 2 of the 3 LED's had failed it seemed far less than 1/3 bright.

If the Hella response is anything to go by, they did state that the new models were of a much better quality

. Perhaps they know that their old versions weren't so great which was why they were quick to offer a no quibble free set.

If my lights failed on passage, I actually wouldn't be that worried. I've yet to cross the shipping lanes or any really busy area at night. Interestingly, although they are rated to 2nm and look pretty bright close up, they are not particularly visible from that kind of distance. I've been watched from shore by my parents, and at dusk the boat was in sight almost before the lights became visible.

willk · 24 February 2011, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I've been watched from shore by my parents.

Mine used to do that. They let me out all night by meself now...

You could tell yours that Missus Erin will be assuming that responsibility

Erin · 24 February 2011, 21:09

Ah, well you see, that's why I now live on a different Island from them. They can't watch me from 35 miles distant now

martini · 24 February 2011, 21:34

I bought LED's for the same reasons you stated above but I can't remember if they're Hellas or something else.

Anyway you've just reminded me that's another job that needs doing, one of mine went pop as well.

BogMonster · 24 February 2011, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

You do a lot of indoor boating, then?

jky

Must be a hell of a big bath to get a 7m Vmax in

Downhilldai · 25 February 2011, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

They let me out all night by meself now...

God help.

Channel Ribs · 25 February 2011, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

They can't watch me from 35 miles distant now

But isn't yer Mum is a member on here?