Overview

The Hella Marine Slim Line is a red LED square courtesy lamp offered in 12V and 24V versions, with power draw under 0.5W (less than 0.042A at 12V or less than 0.02A at 24V) and an IP67 fully sealed housing.

It is meant for low-level lighting where you want your footing without lighting up the whole cabin, like steps, companionways, cockpit walk-throughs, and toe-kick areas. The red output helps keep night vision intact when you are moving around underway or on a dark dock.

The lens uses UV resistant enhanced impact acrylic and the rim is UV resistant plastic. A short 120 mm single-core marine lead comes pre-wired for straightforward hook-up in tight spaces.

Key features

• Red LED output for low-level courtesy lighting where preserving night vision matters
• 12V DC and 24V DC options to match your onboard electrical system
• Very low power draw: under 0.5W (less than 0.042A at 12V, less than 0.02A at 24V)
• IP67 sealed unit for washdowns and wet mounting areas
• UV resistant enhanced impact acrylic lens with a UV resistant plastic rim
• Pre-wired with 120 mm of single-core marine cable for quick connection
• Dimming support via Hella marine Dimmer 5XA 998 572-001
• Stainless steel mounting screws included

Variants

This light is offered in multiple configurations so you can match your boat finish and system voltage.

Finish and voltage are what change across the range. The lamp style remains the Slim Line square courtesy format with red LED output and the same low power consumption, with current draw depending on whether the unit is a 12V or 24V version.

• 980587271: Chrome Finish, 12V. Chrome trim suits installs near polished hardware and metallic fittings while keeping wiring on a 12V circuit.
• 980587251: White Finish, 12V. White trim blends cleanly into white gelcoat, liners, and headliners on a 12V circuit.
• 980588271: Chrome Finish, 24V. Chrome trim matches brightwork while fitting 24V DC systems commonly found on larger boats.
• 980588251: White Finish, 24V. White trim keeps the look understated in cabins and walkways while integrating with a 24V DC circuit.

What’s included

• Slim Line square courtesy lamp with pre-wired 120 mm single-core lead
• Stainless steel mounting screws

Installation and setup

Plan the mounting spot so the lamp face is protected from direct knocks and the wiring lead can reach a dry connection point behind the panel. In exposed areas, seal the cutout and fastener penetrations as you would for any exterior fitting, and leave a drip loop if the cable runs downward.

Because the lamp is compact and runs cool at under 0.5W, it works well in tight trim pieces, step risers, and other lightweight structures where older incandescent courtesy lights were prone to heat and discoloration.

Electrical and system integration

Use the correct voltage variant for your boat and wire it to a switched lighting circuit with an appropriately sized fuse for the run. With the very low current draw, voltage drop is usually not a limiting factor, but clean connections and proper crimping still matter on a boat that lives in vibration and moisture.

If you want adjustable brightness, it can be dimmed using the Hella marine Dimmer 5XA 998 572-001. Keep the dimmer and any splices in a protected location to avoid corrosion issues later.

Materials and sealing

The UV resistant acrylic lens and UV resistant rim material help it hold up in sun-exposed cockpits and transom areas. The IP67 sealing supports mounting locations that see spray, washdowns, and damp lockers.

For long service life in saltwater, rinse salt residue when you wash the boat and periodically check that sealant around the mounting surface has not cracked or lifted.

On-board use

This lamp fits well as step lighting, companionway guidance light, cockpit footwell lighting, or soft cabin walkway lighting where you want visibility without glare. It is a good match for boaters who run at night or anchor in dark coves and want low-level red light that does not add noticeable load to the house bank.