Grote Industries introduced its first LED combination side turn lamp and an LED license plate light at the Mid-America Trucking show.
The gap in a true all-LED-equipped trailer has for years been the side turn application. The SAE J2039 Side Turn Signal Standard calls for the side turn lamp to cast visible light 85 degrees to the front and rear of the vehicle, as well as 50 degrees up and 20 degrees down, for maximum visibility. By contrast, most other SAE standards for side turn lamps require coverage only to the rear of the lamp and to a lesser degree up and down.
Grote made the technological breakthroughs needed to comply with J2039. A patented thermal dissipation system keeps the LEDs cool during operation. The company also developed a proprietary assembly process to deal with LED temperature requirements, while maintaining design flexibility.
The two models of the Grote LED Side Turn fit existing mounting holes for both trucks and trailers and are fully interchangeable with Grote's current incandescent side turn lamps, making retrofitting a snap.
Grote Industries' patent-pending LED license lamp (part #60381) has a shell-like design that allows water to pass behind and over the fixture with no opportunities to collect. Instead of lens optics, the light is directed by complex active reflectors inside the lamp using the same technique Grote has employed for years in its composite headlamps. The lamp's low-profile design also helps prevent damage from collisions with loading docks.
“The license lamp isn't glamorous, so it's not a priority item in most maintenance managers' minds,” says Dominic Grote, director of fleet/OEM sales. “But it costs them time and money to frequently replace the lamps in order to remain compliant with FMVSS regulations. The main benefit of our new LED License Lamp is that once it's mounted, the maintenance manager can usually forget about it for the life of the trailer.”
The LED License Lamp is Grote's first white LED application. Additional white LED lamps, including back-up, dome, and cabinet lighting, also will be introduced this year.