LED Lights

[smokeyj]

I think I am right too.

Here is a link http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstr...9402600202.pdf

PHD types out of michigan. They actually claim a quarter second to reach 90% light output. Detail their methods etc etc.

Anyway don't take my word, or theirs for it look around! Some cars have mixed technology tail lights 3rd brake lite will be LED and corner lights incandescent.

In these cars you will notice a delay between when the LED lamp comes on and when the incandescent lights come on.

My point was only that while it seems pretty clear that LED lamps won't pay for themselves in saved gas, there is a chance they will pay for themselves in avoided body work and chiropractic

[NachtRitter]

Yes, definitely a noticeable difference between an LED CHMSL and incandescent brake lights... also at traffic lights, where one R,Y,G set is LED and the other is incandescent.

[billhac]

for an ev, any save in power is a good thing.

[Zerohour]

I still tastefully disagree. If you notice the 1993 article is posted about Lorries, the UK term for Semi-truck. The delay is not caused by the bulbs, its caused by the voltage drop and the slow response from the voltage regulator. Much like if you have a failing alternator on a car, any sudden large consumption of power causes a voltage drop, which is most notable in dimming of lights. LEDs would also be effected in an identical manner, they would only aid in the situation as the voltage drop is less severe due to lower power consumption.

And ditto on the Light Tree. The bulb in the light tree is not a small 3157 with a wire filament thousands of an inch thick. It is a much bigger filament and will take longer to reach full illumination. Also the control relays are being controls from the tower at the dragway, which means a portion of the delay can still be pinned on the design of the system and the length of wire used to control the system. The relays in the system itself probably have variation in response time that is measurable down to the 0.0xx seconds, although these would still plague the LED light system at the end.

Not to mention the incandescent emits enough light from 0.02 seconds to be seen, and they the graph is skewed because I would love to shake the hand the guy who build an LED turn signal that emits a perfectly square impulse, and obviously that circuit lacks any use of a resistor to power adjust the power levels for the LEDs :-)

[JacobAziza]

LED lights light up a significant amount faster
You don't have to take our word for it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPFuwGar-ww

- enough to potentially mean the difference between a rear-end crash or a near miss by a tailgater at highway speeds.

[Umgaro]

Originally Posted by Zerohour

So now that we're into winter, I'm driving with my lights on pretty much my entire commute.

I'm looking into getting some LED bulbs, but I'm trying to debate the cost of purchasing them....I see rear bulbs ranging from $8-$30 dollars, not to mention the special flashers to use LEDs at the proper blink rate. I'm looking at easily breaking $100 to save 100W's. I'm just not sure its worth it.

I thought about maybe building sets of them, but for the time spend doing so and hacking apart a extra set of headlights, the cost is going to be the same ($$$).

I was just wondering if a few other eco-modders can chime in on their experiences. Please include what bulbs you replaced, where you got them, approx. costs, and any +/- feedback about the bulbs.

I knew these led lights will save power but spending $100 does not seems to be worth

[radioranger]

Ebays got every kind of bulb , bought a pretty bright 3157 I think 60 smd they call it for $4 including shipping , seems good ,so getting the rest same way, saves about 1/2 amp per bulb I figured ,,good thought on the idea of sitting at a light with the engine off, a bit less drain.