Hella sheds light on safety solutions
Hella offers a portfolio of auxiliary lighting products for both tractor units and trailers to help maximise road safety and visibility.
Although originally developed for private road users – motorists and motorcyclists – the compact SOS 360° LED warning lamp is also proving a hit with the commercial vehicle sector, the company reports.
“To ensure the wellbeing of those in the vicinity, whenever there is a breakdown or an accident, it is essential to secure the location in question, which is why in many countries it is a legal requirement for vehicles to carry a warning triangle,” said Hella.
“However, until they have been retrieved and set up, the scene remains unsecured and people and property at risk, and that’s a danger that should not be underestimated, especially in the dark or on a busy road.”
Hella’s new SOS 360° LED warning lamp is said to provide an easy-to-use solution. It can be immediately activated by a driver should a breakdown or roadside incident occur, its magnetic mounting and immediate activation securing the scene of the incident in seconds.
Although the SOS 360° can also be switched on manually, as soon as it makes contact with the metal on the side of the trailer or cab, the magnet activates the flashing amber warning light. Its high-performance LEDs enable it to generate an all-round warning signal that can be seen more than half a mile away, so other road users can be warned in good time.
“Furthermore, drivers can use it as a torch or a work light because it also has a bright, continuous white light function,” said Hella.
“Due to its magnetic attachment feature, this is particularly practical if work has to be carried out around the vehicle, as the lamp can be secured to any metal surface.”
The company also highlights its S-Series work lamp range, which was launched in 2021 and is suitable for truck and trailers, municipal vehicles, agricultural and construction machinery, as well as forklifts.
“Available as both round and square versions, the S-Series can be surface-mounted or built-in, and thanks to their universal and slim design, fleet managers can easily and quickly convert existing halogen work lamps to LED technology,” said the firm.
“They provide homogeneous illumination with a light colour similar to daylight and a colour temperature of around 6,500 Kelvin. Compared to halogen units, the S-Series also scores on their high efficiency, due to the excellent lumen-watt performance.”
Hella has also introduced the Visiotech projection module, which is suitable for applications from 12 to 48-volts.
“With this small, but versatile addition, danger zones around the vehicle can be optically marked out, so that everyone in the affected area can be warned and protected,” the company continued.
“Previously, physical signs or barriers would have needed to be erected, which both costs time and takes resource away from the actual job in hand.
“Using illumination technology, Hella’s Visiotech light module can project a suitable warning symbol, such as an exclamation mark or hazardous area chevrons, onto the ground and so optically warn other vehicles or passers-by, drawing attention to any danger or to delineate certain work areas.
“In addition, other projection symbols can be developed in collaboration with customers, which could be especially important in the construction and mining industries, where the danger zone can clearly and easily be identified for everyone on site, when shovels or dump trucks are being unloaded, for example.
“Other scenarios include when employees working for municipal services have to regularly step down from the cab and are exposed to serious danger from other road users, or for trucks, ambulances and emergency vehicles, that require loading or safety areas that need to be clearly marked and highlighted.”
