Overview

The Hella Marine 016145-001 is an Apelo A1 surface-mount underwater light that switches between white and blue, with a charcoal front that keeps the transom looking clean when the light is off.

It runs on 12V or 24V systems (9-32V DC) and produces up to 1800 lumens in white at 6000K. Typical draw is about 1.7A at 12V or 0.9A at 24V (around 20W). The beam pattern is wide across the transom with a tighter vertical angle, so the light stays concentrated below the waterline.

The housing is an advanced thermal polymer and the lens is Grilamid nylon. It is fully sealed to IP68/IP69K for submersion and high-pressure washdowns, and it includes spike and reverse-polarity protection to handle real-world voltage swings on board.

Key features

• Multivolt 9-32V DC input for 12V and 24V boats
• White and blue modes; quick power-cycle to change output using a standard on/off switch
• Up to 1800 lumens (white) with 6000K white color temperature
• IP68/IP69K sealing for underwater operation and washdowns
• Thermal polymer body with a Grilamid lens that resists UV exposure and impacts
• Pre-wired 2.5 m, 2-core tinned marine cable
• Voltage protection for spikes up to +500V and reverse polarity down to -700V
• Approvals include CE and ISO 8846 ignition protection

Compatibility and fit

This is a 95 mm (3.74 in) round fixture with an 83.5 mm (3.29 in) mounting circle. It is intended for transom mounting about 100 to 500 mm (4 to 20 in) below the waterline, on a flat area without curvature.

The A1 polymer housing is suitable for all common hull construction materials.

Installation and setup

Installation is a surface mount with a central cable pass-through (15.5 mm / 5/8 in hole) plus fasteners around the flange. Seal all penetrations carefully; a semi-permanent polyurethane adhesive/sealant such as 3M 4200 is commonly used for this style of underwater fitting.

Keep screw torque to 3 Nm max to avoid stressing the housing, and use a drilling template to mark the cable hole and fastener locations before drilling.

Electrical and switching

The lamp uses two conductors: red to switched positive and black to negative. On A1 Blue/White models, the default mode is bright white; switching power off and back on quickly steps to blue, and the next cycle returns to white.

Use appropriately sized wiring and keep runs as short as practical to reduce voltage drop, especially on 12V systems.

Maintenance and care

Rinse after saltwater use and clean the lens with mild boat soap and water. Avoid solvents such as isopropyl alcohol and acetone on the Grilamid lens, since they can cause crazing or cracking.

Who this is for

This is a good match for boat owners who want a transom-mounted underwater light that works on 12V or 24V and can be switched between white and blue without adding a separate controller.