A Auto Headlamp Primer
Few drivers take the time to learn anything about their car headlights than how to work with them. But there's some new technology behind the glass, claims Popular Mechanics. Knowing how your headlights work is helpful for maintenance and crash-avoidance purposes.
How they started
There were headlights over a century ago. They used kerosene or acetylene to fuel them though. These open flames were eventually exchanged 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 U.S. government made them illegal in 1941.
Sealed-beam lights around now
Standard household light bulbs seemed to be comparable to Tungsten filament bulbs. Then there were high and low beam lights. These showed up in the 1920s. Brightness and overall beam control were inconsistent, which is not surprising, considering the bulbs were cheaply made. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were replaced by quartz-iodine technology.
What happened next?
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is once again small, and far more modern sealing materials help protect both the bulb and the reflector array. Brighter light comes out of the lights as the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. When a QI bulb is exchanged, headlights don't need re-aiming to happen. Modern filaments make this possible.
Trying out HD bulbs
HIDs are known as high-intensity-discharge bulbs. They look like little lightning bolts with their arc. While a high initial current is needed to turn the bulb on, once an HID is up and running it requires 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. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Bulbs that shine like crazy
Most taillights have LED (light-emitting diode) lights already. Most headlights will not though. Popular Mechanics states that there is only one auto where they are standard. That is the Audi A8. LEDs light up very easily which allows individuals to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
Some people want to experience LED car headlights although they do not own an Audi A8. There are DIY opportunities for those people, the Instructables website explained. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. You will need to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
How they started
There were headlights over a century ago. They used kerosene or acetylene to fuel them though. These open flames were eventually exchanged 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 U.S. government made them illegal in 1941.
Sealed-beam lights around now
Standard household light bulbs seemed to be comparable to Tungsten filament bulbs. Then there were high and low beam lights. These showed up in the 1920s. Brightness and overall beam control were inconsistent, which is not surprising, considering the bulbs were cheaply made. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were replaced by quartz-iodine technology.
What happened next?
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is once again small, and far more modern sealing materials help protect both the bulb and the reflector array. Brighter light comes out of the lights as the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. When a QI bulb is exchanged, headlights don't need re-aiming to happen. Modern filaments make this possible.
Trying out HD bulbs
HIDs are known as high-intensity-discharge bulbs. They look like little lightning bolts with their arc. While a high initial current is needed to turn the bulb on, once an HID is up and running it requires 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. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Bulbs that shine like crazy
Most taillights have LED (light-emitting diode) lights already. Most headlights will not though. Popular Mechanics states that there is only one auto where they are standard. That is the Audi A8. LEDs light up very easily which allows individuals to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
Some people want to experience LED car headlights although they do not own an Audi A8. There are DIY opportunities for those people, the Instructables website explained. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. You will need to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
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publié par Unknown @ 11:15
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