Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Few drivers take the time to learn anything about their headlights than whether they turn on. But there's some new technology behind the glass, argues Popular Mechanics. Knowing how they work and just how to maintain them is more than interesting, but can conserve you from unwanted collisions.
How they started
More than a century ago, auto headlights were fueled by either kerosene or acetylene. These open flames were eventually swapped out by small electric blubs within a reflector/lens casing. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. Another problem with these lights -before the corrosion took its toll - was their intensity resembled constant high beams that blinded oncoming traffic, so the United States government made them illegal in 1941.
New bulbs to use
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs in your house. High- and low-beam switches started to appear by the 1920s. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology swapped out sealed-beam lights by 1973.
What occurred next?
QI is the Quartz-Iodine light. It is the standard headlight right now. The bulb and reflector are protected with modern sealing materials while the bulb is pretty small. Brighter light comes out of the lights as the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. When QI bulbs require replacement, the headlights don't have to be re-aimed, thanks to precise design of modern filaments.
HID: Like a run from the heavens
A high-voltage arc just like a lightening bulb is used with High-intensity-discharge bulbs or HIDs. Getting on the HID light takes a little bit far more energy. Keeping it on is much less energy than a QI though. It can be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Very bright LED bulbs
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they're typically for taillights. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. Light in weight, vibration-resistant, bright and power-efficient, LEDs light up faster than a standard QI bulb, providing quicker warning that could be seen at greater distance.
Many people want to experience LED headlights although they don't own an Audi A8. There are DIY possibilities for those individuals, the Instructables website explained. Turn signal switches aren't compatible though since LEDs use so little power. In order to get the right current going, you'll have to switch them out.
How they started
More than a century ago, auto headlights were fueled by either kerosene or acetylene. These open flames were eventually swapped out by small electric blubs within a reflector/lens casing. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. Another problem with these lights -before the corrosion took its toll - was their intensity resembled constant high beams that blinded oncoming traffic, so the United States government made them illegal in 1941.
New bulbs to use
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs in your house. High- and low-beam switches started to appear by the 1920s. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology swapped out sealed-beam lights by 1973.
What occurred next?
QI is the Quartz-Iodine light. It is the standard headlight right now. The bulb and reflector are protected with modern sealing materials while the bulb is pretty small. Brighter light comes out of the lights as the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. When QI bulbs require replacement, the headlights don't have to be re-aimed, thanks to precise design of modern filaments.
HID: Like a run from the heavens
A high-voltage arc just like a lightening bulb is used with High-intensity-discharge bulbs or HIDs. Getting on the HID light takes a little bit far more energy. Keeping it on is much less energy than a QI though. It can be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Very bright LED bulbs
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they're typically for taillights. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. Light in weight, vibration-resistant, bright and power-efficient, LEDs light up faster than a standard QI bulb, providing quicker warning that could be seen at greater distance.
Many people want to experience LED headlights although they don't own an Audi A8. There are DIY possibilities for those individuals, the Instructables website explained. Turn signal switches aren't compatible though since LEDs use so little power. In order to get the right current going, you'll have to switch them out.
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