There aren't many car owners take the time to learn anything about their headlights than how to work with them. But there's interesting technology beneath the glass, argues Popular Mechanics. Knowing how your headlights work is helpful for maintaining them and crash-avoidance purposes.
From open flame to blinding flash
Either kerosene or acetylene was used over a century ago for headlights. These open flames were eventually changed by small electric blubs within a reflector/lens casing. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would quickly 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 go high and low
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs with your house. 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. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were replaced by quartz-iodine technology.
Moving on from there
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is quite much tiny. It is better protected too with the sealing materials we have today. 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.
The HD bulbs you may like
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. The beam is very crisp with the HID bulb. Still, it could 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
Taillights already use LED (light-emitting diode) lights, but they are not standard for headlights yet. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very easily which allows individuals 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 front lights now, there are DIY options available, such as the one described at the Instructables website. Turn signal switches aren't compatible though since LEDs use so little power. Switch them out. That's the only way to get the right current going.
From open flame to blinding flash
Either kerosene or acetylene was used over a century ago for headlights. These open flames were eventually changed by small electric blubs within a reflector/lens casing. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would quickly 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 go high and low
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs with your house. 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. By 1973, sealed-beam lights were replaced by quartz-iodine technology.
Moving on from there
Quartz-Iodine (QI) is the standard headlight technology in use today. The bulb is quite much tiny. It is better protected too with the sealing materials we have today. 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.
The HD bulbs you may like
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. The beam is very crisp with the HID bulb. Still, it could 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
Taillights already use LED (light-emitting diode) lights, but they are not standard for headlights yet. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very easily which allows individuals 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 front lights now, there are DIY options available, such as the one described at the Instructables website. Turn signal switches aren't compatible though since LEDs use so little power. Switch them out. That's the only way to get the right current going.
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