Grote Introduces First Optically Engineered LED WhiteLight Hook-Up Lamp
New Lamp Optics Designed Exclusively to Light Space
Between Tractor and Trailer

MADISON, Ind., USA (January 12, 2010) — Grote Industries, a world leader in high-performance LED lighting technology for the transportation industry, released the market’s first purpose-built Hook-Up Lamp today.

Before now, one or two incandescent hook-up lamps were often mounted on the rear of the cab to illuminate the work area between a tractor and trailer. Traditional hook-up lamps employ primitive optics that often cause a bright spot at the center of the beam pattern with usable light rapidly diminishing as the beam spreads.

Grote’s new SuperNova LED Hook-Up Lamp features an advanced optical design that focuses Grote’s unique LED WhiteLight in areas that are not commonly well lit by traditional hook-up lamps. The new lamp’s optical prescription creates a controlled, 250-lumen beam pattern that focuses brighter, more usable LED WhiteLight across the entire work area. One SuperNova LED Hook-Up Lamp can easily replace two incandescent lamps, while offering the user a 50-watt power savings.

“Hook-up lamps are often just repurposed dome lamps or stop/tail/turn lamps with as little as 32 candle power,” said Mike Grote, business development manager. “Those lamps create a relatively dimly-lit work environment that can hamper vision and reduce productivity.”

Grote’s new SuperNova LED Hook-Up Lamp emits brilliant LED WhiteLight that closely approximates the characteristics of sunlight – the light most favorable for human sight. The light quality provides optimum contrast for working conditions.

“By applying Grote’s design process of first looking at the environment and then determining the right way to light it, we’ve developed the best optical characteristics for this lamp and for the function it will perform,” added Grote. “As with all our lamp designs, we’ve spent time in the field conducting research for this particular lamp and have created a new lighting product that enhances visual acuity and helps vehicle operators achieve maximum productivity and performance when working behind the cab. The superior light quality and beam pattern control of our SuperNova LED WhiteLight Hook-Up Lamp will promote safety, reduce sight-related errors and decrease downtime.”

Grote’s new SuperNova Hook-Up Lamp is designed to light the environments common to utility trucks, fifth wheels, forklifts and off-road vehicles, to name a few. Additionally, the 12-volt (.6-amp) lamp is rated for 50,000 hours of service, emits less heat than incandescent lamps and draws significantly lower amperage than incandescent offerings, reducing the load on a vehicles’ electrical system.

The lamp comes in two versions. One offers the optimized hook-up beam pattern and the other, a wide flood pattern that also lights the periphery of the workspace.

For more information on Grote’s SuperNova Hook-Up Lamp with optimized hook-up pattern (part 60631), wide flood pattern (part 60641) or their entire line of LED lighting products, please visit grote.com. Images of the new Hook-Up Lamps can be found here:

Image of SuperNova Hook-Up Lamp with optimized hook-up pattern (part 60631)

Image of SuperNova Hook-Up Lamp with wide flood pattern (part 60641)

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Editor’s Note:
About Grote Industries
Grote Industries is a family-owned company and is QS-9000, TS16949 and ISO 14001 certified. The leading manufacturer and marketer of vehicle safety systems products, Grote Industries engineers and manufactures LED, fluorescent and incandescent lamps, mirrors, wiring systems, turn signal switches, connection accessories and reflective accessories. For more than 109 years, Grote has provided state-of-the-art solutions for OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide. Headquartered in Madison, Indiana, USA, Grote also maintains locations in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Additional information is available at grote.com.

SuperNova is a registered trademark of Grote Industries.
LED WhiteLight is a trademark of Grote Industries.