Best Practices for Purchasing Snow Plow LED Lights

While some people think items like light bars and spotlights are only for use by police and other first responders, the reality is that there are actually several different situations where using these kinds of lights may be both necessary and important. One great example that doesn’t qualify under first response, but is still very important for communities around the country: Snow plows, which require quality lights to warn other drivers of their presence during snowy periods.

At LED Equipped, we’re happy to offer a wide selection of LED work lights, spotlights and floodlights for trucks and various other kinds of vehicles, including snow plows and many others. Why are LED lights the optimal choice for those who drive snow plows, and which light options are available to you this winter? Furthermore, which variables should you be considering while selecting these lights? Let’s dive into this general topic.

Why LED Lights Are Ideal

While you have a few options in terms of the light format that you could use for your snow plow, LED lights are far and away the best solution in terms of quality and performance. This has been true for several years now – LEDs offer a number of distinct advantages over other kinds of bulbs, including:

• Brightness: LEDs produce more lumens (a measure of brightness) per watt than any other kind of light bulb. This allows you to get more light output while using less electricity, which is ideal for a number of reasons.
• Quality of light: The light produced by LEDs is much closer to natural sunlight than any other kind of light, making it easier on the human eye and reducing strain. For snow plow drivers, who are often operating in the early morning or late evening hours, this is a huge advantage.
• Long lifespan: LEDs can last for tens of thousands of hours before needing to be replaced – far longer than any other kind of light. This means that once you’ve installed LED lights on your snow plow, you likely won’t need to worry about them again for the rest of the season (and beyond).
• Affordability: Meanwhile, because LEDs have become a common commodity, their price has dropped significantly in recent years. You can now get high-quality LED lights at a fraction of the cost of what they would have cost just a few years ago.

These are just a few of the reasons why LEDs are the ideal light choice for snow plows (and other vehicles). But what about specific light types and models? Let’s take a look at some of the best options that are available.

Options for LED Snow Plow Lights

When it comes to choosing the right kind of LED light for your snow plow, you have a few different options to consider. These include:

• Floodlights: Floodlights are perhaps the most common type of work light, and they’re a great option for snow plows. These lights emit a wide, even beam of light that’s perfect for illuminating the entire work area. Floodlights come in a few different sizes, so you can choose the one that’s best suited for your needs.
• Spotlights: Spotlights are a great option if you need a more focused beam of light. These lights are ideal for shining light long distances, making them perfect for use on snow plows. Spotlights also come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the one that fits your needs.
• Light bars: Light bars are a great option if you need a lot of light output from a single light source. These lights emit a very bright, focused beam of light, making them ideal for use on snow plows. Light bars come in a variety of sizes and can be mounted in a number of different ways. Snow plows, specifically, will often utilize amber light bars for improved visibility.
• Work lights: These are similar to floodlights, but they’re designed to be used in a more specific way. Work lights often come with a clamp or other type of mount, making them easy to attach to a snow plow (or other vehicle). These lights emit a wide, even beam of light, making them ideal for illuminating the entire work area.

These are just a few of the different options that you have to choose from when selecting LED lights for your snow plow. But how do you know which option is right for you? Let’s take a look at a few factors that you should consider across our next few sections.

Verify Protection from Elements

Because you’ll be driving your snow plow in all kinds of weather conditions, it’s important to make sure that the lights you choose are properly protected from the elements. Snow, ice, and even just cold temperatures can wreak havoc on electronics, so you need to make sure that your lights are properly sealed and protected.

The best way to do this is to look for lights that come with an IP rating. IP stands for “ingress protection,” and it’s a way of measuring how well a device is protected from things like dust, water, and other elements. The higher the IP rating, the better protected the device will be.

For snow plows, you should look for lights with an IP rating of at least IP67. This means that the lights are protected from dust and water, and can even withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

Choose the Right Mounting Option

Another important factor to consider is how you’re going to mount your LED lights. Depending on the kind of light you choose, there may be different mounting options available. For example, some lights come with a built-in clamp that makes them easy to attach to a snow plow (or other vehicle). Others may need to be mounted using brackets or another type of mount. And still others may need to be hardwired into the electrical system of the snow plow.

When choosing a mounting option, it’s important to consider both the mounting location and the type of mount that will be used. For example, some mounts may not be able to withstand the vibration and movement that’s common when driving a snow plow. In this case, you’ll need to choose a different kind of mount (or locate the light in a different spot).

You should also consider the different ways that you can aim and adjust the light. Some lights can be manually aimed, while others may need to be adjusted using a bracket or another type of mount. And still others may be adjustable via a remote control.

Integrated Heat Grid

Because snow will likely collect on these lights during use, it’s important to make sure that they’re able to operate despite this. The use of an integrated heat grid will keep your LED lights warm — but not so hot that they’ll melt the snow around them. This is an important feature to look for, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow.

Know Local Laws

Finally, one vital theme that must be considered when adding any kind of light to a snow plow (or any other vehicle) is the law. Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on the kind of lights that you can use. There may also be rules about how and where these lights can be mounted.

Before making any final decisions, it’s important to check with your local laws to make sure that you’re in compliance. This will help you avoid any potential fines or other penalties down the road.

With the right LED lights, you can equip your snow plow with the visibility it needs to keep you — and everyone else — safe on the roads this winter. Just remember to keep the factors we’ve discussed in mind as you shop around for the perfect set of lights for your needs. And to learn more about any of our LED lights for any kind of vehicle, first responder or otherwise, speak to our experts at LED Equipped today.