There aren't many drivers take the time to consider anything about their car headlights than whether they turn on. The story and technology behind them is interesting. Knowing how they work and the way to maintain them is more than interesting, but can save you from unwanted collisions.
In the beginning
Either kerosene or acetylene was used over a century ago for headlights. They were exchanged with new small electric bulbs. They were in a reflector/lens casing to make it bright. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. These became illegal in 1941 though since they would blind people, before the corrosion happened, because they resembled constant high beams.
Sealed-beam lights go high and low
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs as part of your house. Then there were high and low beam lights. These showed up in the 1920s. The majority of the brightness and overall beam control was inconsistence. Those bulbs were very cheap though. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were changed by quartz-iodine technology.
Quartz-Iodine brings the tungsten
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is fairly much tiny. It is better protected too with the sealing materials we have today. Quartz glass can stand higher temperatures, so the filament can burn hotter, producing brighter light. When QI bulbs require replacement, the headlights do not have to be re-aimed, thanks to precise design of modern filaments.
HID: Like a bolt from the heavens
HIDs are known as high-intensity-discharge bulbs. They look like little lightning bolts with their arc. While a high original current is needed to turn the bulb on, once an HID is up and running it needs less energy than a standard QI lamp. It could be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. For this reason, some modify HID arrays with QI bulbs for the high beams, but this can be prohibitively costly.
LEDing you to the future
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are generally for taillights. Popular Mechanics states that there is only one car where they're standard. That is the Audi A8. LEDs light up very quickly which allows individuals to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you don't own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED car headlights now, there are DIY choices accessible, such as the one described at the Instructables site. The power used by an LED is very little. That means compatible turn signal switches are non-existent. You will need to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
In the beginning
Either kerosene or acetylene was used over a century ago for headlights. They were exchanged with new small electric bulbs. They were in a reflector/lens casing to make it bright. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. These became illegal in 1941 though since they would blind people, before the corrosion happened, because they resembled constant high beams.
Sealed-beam lights go high and low
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs as part of your house. Then there were high and low beam lights. These showed up in the 1920s. The majority of the brightness and overall beam control was inconsistence. Those bulbs were very cheap though. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were changed by quartz-iodine technology.
Quartz-Iodine brings the tungsten
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is fairly much tiny. It is better protected too with the sealing materials we have today. Quartz glass can stand higher temperatures, so the filament can burn hotter, producing brighter light. When QI bulbs require replacement, the headlights do not have to be re-aimed, thanks to precise design of modern filaments.
HID: Like a bolt from the heavens
HIDs are known as high-intensity-discharge bulbs. They look like little lightning bolts with their arc. While a high original current is needed to turn the bulb on, once an HID is up and running it needs less energy than a standard QI lamp. It could be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. For this reason, some modify HID arrays with QI bulbs for the high beams, but this can be prohibitively costly.
LEDing you to the future
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are generally for taillights. Popular Mechanics states that there is only one car where they're standard. That is the Audi A8. LEDs light up very quickly which allows individuals to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you don't own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED car headlights now, there are DIY choices accessible, such as the one described at the Instructables site. The power used by an LED is very little. That means compatible turn signal switches are non-existent. You will need to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
About the Author:
Have you been trying to sell or purchase a new or used suv? If this sounds like you, check into Spokane auto dealers.
No comments:
Post a Comment