A Heads Up On Headlamps
Most car owners only know whether their headlights are broken or not. The history and technology behind them is interesting. Knowing how they work and the way to maintain them is much more than interesting, but can conserve 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. 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
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. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology exchanged sealed-beam lights by 1973.
The next move
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 because 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 might like
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 much more energy to get it on. 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.
LEDing you to the future
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are generally 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 can be seen at greater distance.
The Instructables website explains that there were DIY possibilities for everyone wanting an LED headlight but doesn't have an Audi A8. 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.
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. 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
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. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology exchanged sealed-beam lights by 1973.
The next move
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 because 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 might like
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 much more energy to get it on. 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.
LEDing you to the future
Headlights do not typically use LED (light-emitting diode) lights since they are generally 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 can be seen at greater distance.
The Instructables website explains that there were DIY possibilities for everyone wanting an LED headlight but doesn't have an Audi A8. 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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