Overview

The Hella Marine Apelo RGB Step Lamp is a recessed RGB LED courtesy light with interchangeable trim finishes for clean, low-glare lighting around steps and walkways on board. It runs on 12V or 24V DC systems (9 to 32V operating range), draws up to 1W, and fits a 25.4 mm (1 inch) mounting hole.

Light is aimed downward at a 30 degree angle, which helps illuminate steps, toe kicks, companionways, lockers, and other low-level areas without shining straight into your eyes. The optic looks clear when it is off, then shows color when powered.

The housing is completely sealed to IP67 for exterior exposure and washdowns, and the lamp is supplied with a short 100 mm length of tinned marine cable for straightforward wiring in tight spaces.

Key features

• Multivolt 12V and 24V DC input support (9 to 32V operating range)
• RGB output with a 30 degree downward light angle for step and walkway lighting
• IP67 completely sealed construction for exterior mounting and wet areas
• Low power draw up to 1W (under 0.04A at 12V or 24V)
• Recessed installation that fits a 25.4 mm (1 inch) mounting hole, with a face size of about 45 mm by 31.5 mm
• Simple 4-wire connection: common positive feed with separate PWM negative channels for red, green, and blue control
• Pre-wired with 100 mm tinned marine cable and supplied with stainless steel mounting screws

Variants

This lamp is offered with different trim finishes to match surrounding hardware and interior styling.

The trim material changes between variants, while the lamp function, recessed mounting format, 12V and 24V operation, and IP67 sealing remain the same.

• 958126531: White plastic trim. A low-profile look that blends into white liners, fiberglass steps, and light-colored joinery.
• 958126551: Trim in polished 316 stainless steel. A finish that matches stainless rails and fittings and holds up well in exposed locations.
• 958126541: Chrome plated plastic trim. A bright metallic appearance for cabins and cockpits where you want a chrome look without a metal face.

Installation and wiring

Plan for a 25.4 mm (1 inch) mounting hole and enough clearance behind the panel for the lamp body and cable bend radius. The lamp mounts recessed and is secured from the front using the supplied screws, which makes it practical for steps, toe kicks, and bulkheads where rear access is limited.

Wire connections should be sealed for the marine environment, and the supply should be fused at 3A maximum. The lamp has reverse polarity protection, but it will not illuminate if wired backwards.

Compatibility and control

The lamp uses a 4-wire RGB arrangement with a shared positive supply and separate negative PWM control lines for each color channel. It can be used with the Apelo Light Controller and the Apelo App for iOS and Android, or with a compatible RGB controller that supports the same common-positive, low-side PWM style output. When installing multiple lamps, they are typically wired in parallel back to the controller outputs.

What’s included

• Apelo RGB Step Lamp with the selected trim finish
• 100 mm tinned marine cable pre-attached to the lamp
• Stainless steel mounting screws

Use cases on board

This lamp suits boats that need controlled, low-level lighting in areas people move through at night, such as companionway steps, cockpit steps, swim platform stairs, and toe-kick lighting in galleys or cabins. It also works well for highlighting storage pockets and signage where you want light that stays directed downward.

Maintenance and care

For exterior installs, rinse salt residue from the face during routine washdowns. Check that the cable is supported so vibration does not work the wiring loose, and avoid abrasive cleaners on the trim to keep the finish looking clean.