Do you pay far more attention to your headlights than the average driver? There's an interesting story behind the development of the headlights, Popular Mechanics reminds us. If you know how your car headlights work, you'll be able to maintain them far more effectively and perhaps stay away from that moose or angry drifter in the road.
In the beginning
There were headlights over a century ago. They used kerosene or acetylene to fuel them though. They were changed with new small electric bulbs. They were in a reflector/lens casing to make it bright. The lights would dim easily from corrosion since insulation in old bulbs was an issue. 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.
Other choices for light
Standard household light bulbs seemed to be similar 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 isn't surprising, considering the bulbs were cheaply made. The sealed-beam lights were replaced in 1973. The quartz-iodine lights came in.
Moving on from there
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 since the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. Modern filaments are good because headlights do not have to be re-aimed when replacing QI bulbs.
HID: Like a run from the heavens
High-intensity-discharge bulbs (HIDs) ditch the tungsten filament in exchange for a high-voltage arc that resembles a miniature lightning bolt. Less energy is needed than a QI to keep the HID on even though it takes more energy to get it on. The beam is very crisp with the HID bulb. Still, it can be hard in emergency situations to use the high beam on HIDs since it takes a minute to get there. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Power-efficient LED
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are typically for taillights. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very quickly which allows people to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you do not own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED headlights now, there are DIY opportunities accessible, such as the one described at the Instructables site. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. Switch them out. That's the only way to get the right current going.
In the beginning
There were headlights over a century ago. They used kerosene or acetylene to fuel them though. They were changed with new small electric bulbs. They were in a reflector/lens casing to make it bright. The lights would dim easily from corrosion since insulation in old bulbs was an issue. 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.
Other choices for light
Standard household light bulbs seemed to be similar 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 isn't surprising, considering the bulbs were cheaply made. The sealed-beam lights were replaced in 1973. The quartz-iodine lights came in.
Moving on from there
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 since the quartz glass can stand hotter temperatures and the filament can burn hotter. Modern filaments are good because headlights do not have to be re-aimed when replacing QI bulbs.
HID: Like a run from the heavens
High-intensity-discharge bulbs (HIDs) ditch the tungsten filament in exchange for a high-voltage arc that resembles a miniature lightning bolt. Less energy is needed than a QI to keep the HID on even though it takes more energy to get it on. The beam is very crisp with the HID bulb. Still, it can be hard in emergency situations to use the high beam on HIDs since it takes a minute to get there. It can cost a lot, but you are able to modify HID arrays with QI bulbs.
Power-efficient LED
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are typically for taillights. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very quickly which allows people to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you do not own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED headlights now, there are DIY opportunities accessible, such as the one described at the Instructables site. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. Switch them out. That's the only way to get the right current going.
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