Halogen:
Halogen lamps are brighter and last longer than regular lamps because the bulbs
contain a small amount of bromine gas (one of five elements in the halogen
chemical family). The bromine gas allows the use of a smaller, hotter tungsten
filament because bromine redeposits the microscopic particles of tungsten that
boil off the filament back onto the wire. This extends the life of the bulb and
prevents the glass from darkening as the bulb ages. Halogen lamps are a good
upgrade for these older sealed beam applications because halogen lamps produce
more light with the same or less current. How much brighter are they? A
conventional incandescent bulb generates 16 to 18 lumens of light per watt,
compared to 20 to 22 or more lumens per watt for a standard halogen bulb.
The
higher output of a halogen headlight throws more light on the road to improve
nighttime visibility and extend the driver’s visual range. Some of the more
popular replacement halogen bulbs include 9004, 9007, 9008 and H4 for two
headlight systems; 9006, H1, H7 and H11 for low-beam quad headlight
applications, and 9005 and H9 for the high-beam on quad lamp systems. For fog
and auxiliary lamps, other popular halogen replacement lamp sizes include 9040,
9045, 9055, 9140, 9145, 9155, H3 and H8.
Xenon:
In the late 1990s, two new types of “xenon” headlights were introduced. One
type is the “High Intensity Discharge” or HID lighting system that uses a
special high-voltage bulb that doesn’t contain a filament. Inside the HID bulb
are two electrodes separated by a gap and a mixture of xenon gas, mercury and
halide salts. A ballast unit steps up the base voltage supplied to the HID lamp
to create an electrical arc between the electrodes. This produces a “plasma
discharge” inside the bulb that gives off a very bright, bluish-colored light
for better night vision and range.
HID lighting systems are more efficient than standard halogen headlights,
producing about 75 lumens per watt. And because an HID bulb has no filament to
burn out, they last three to five times longer than a standard halogen bulb.
But the required ballast electronics also make HID lighting systems very
expensive so they are used primarily on high-end luxury cars and SUVs. HID
replacement bulbs include D1S, D1R, D2s and D2R types. Aftermarket HID lighting
kits are also available to upgrade a vehicle’s lighting system.
The second type of “xenon” headlight — and a more affordable upgrade
alternative — is the blue xenon headlamp that can replace standard halogen
bulbs.
LEDs: The trend in lighting functions on
automobiles is moving to LEDs — Light-Emitting Diodes — that convert electrical
energy directly into light. With their small size and low energy requirement,
combined with powerful light emissions, product longevity and amazing
reliability, LEDs are the technology of the future for automotive lighting.
LED lamps on cars have been around for more than 20 years — first appearing in
the mid-1980s for use in hi-mount stop lamps on the rear of vehicles.
But only recently have LEDs been featured as a technology used for front lamps.
Anyone who has attended a new vehicle auto show has probably seen LED headlamp
designs on various concept vehicles. But that’s about to change, as LED
headlamps are ready to hit the streets. Since LEDs consume very little power,
only about 1/10th as much current as a comparable incandescent light for the
same amount of light that’s produced, that allows them to last longer — a real
benefit to OEMs.
Lamp Replacement
With all types of lighting applications, finding the right replacement bulb is
essential. Small bulbs, in particular, can be difficult to match. Always refer
to a lighting catalog or database for the vehicle application. Comparing bulbs and
referring to the number on the old bulb is also a good idea, but keep in mind
that the old bulb may not be the correct one for the application if it has been
replaced before (maybe that’s why it burned out!). Two bulbs that appear to be
the same may have different wattage and resistance ratings. Using the wrong
bulb may cause premature bulb failure, circuit overloads or other problems.
On some newer vehicles, “light out” modules are used to sense failed bulbs and
alert the driver when a lamp fails. If a replacement bulb does not have the
same resistance and wattage rating as the original, it can sometimes cause the
module to illuminate the “light out” warning lamp even though the bulb is
working.
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