“The Lighting Basics – Having a Spare“
Winter is here. Mother nature is giving us the cold shoulder. It’s time to think about what can happen to your lights. Lights can be expensive, I get it. Buying a set of LED lights for your truck can sometimes be a scary amount. However, “when Murphy hits, he hits hard.” The easiest way to overcome when a light goes out is to have at least a few spare lights on hand, if possible. The reason I mention, “if possible,” is because I realize that not all truckers have the option to carry spares. Maybe you are a fleet driver and the truck is leased through your carrier. Maybe you have a newer-style truck and certain lights are either too expensive or just hard to come by. This month, we shall go over some reasons to have a spare, which spares to carry, and a winter lighting tip.
Why have a spare? I thought LED lights last forever!
LED lights have the same natural pitfalls as any other light. That one piece of frozen dirt or a rock can take out a light. Taking out that light could get you pulled over. Getting pulled over could get you a ticket or at minimum, time wasted. Not to mention, having to buy a new light (that probably won’t even match) anyway.
How many of each light do I need to carry?
For starters, having any light as a spare is better than none. The most common lights that I have seen go out on the highway are the stop, turn, and tail lights; followed by side marker lights; followed by headlights. Just carrying a small box with one of each of these (heavily dependent on your headlight system) will put a cushion between you and Murphy. You may increase the number and types as you see fit.
Winter is here. What is the best tip you can tell me?
Run incandescent lights if you can. I’m serious. LED lights do not melt the snow and the ice, rendering them useless in the winter. Changing out some critical lights for incandescent will save you the hassle of getting out and wiping them off in the cold. Not to mention, on average, incandescent lights are more affordable than LEDs, so carrying spares for your incandescent set will be easier too. I have spoken to many a trucker who switches out their LEDs for incandescent lights in the winter months. When spring comes around, they go shopping for new LEDs! It’s a win-win-win.
At the end of the day, you, the consumer, use these products on a daily basis. You know which lights suit your needs best. That is why we carry a large selection of LED and incandescent lighting available on our website www.slclighting.com or you can give us a call at 800-938-0120. Online, use the code MOVINOUT2016 or call in and mention that you saw our ad in Movin’ Out for a 10% discount.
Thank you for an amazing year of “The Lighting Basics!” I hope this information has been helpful to you every month. I am looking forward to another year of writing for Movin’ Out, but in the meantime: MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Enjoy this season with your loved ones and drive safely.