LEDs as bulbs on vehicles

[TykeMerc]

I don't mind the LED light clusters on cars (assuming they're factory fitted and the right colours, not by some numpty who thinks they're cool), what I don't like much are the xenon headlamps that try to fry my retinas.

[d000hg]

I hate those new-fangled excessively bright headlights - the ones that look blue when seen from almost any angle other than straight on. I particularly hate the morons who drive with them on full beam on dual carriageways, apparently unconcerned by the fact that they're blinding every other driver on the opposite carriageway

That seems to be a contradiction.

[NickFitz]

That seems to be a contradiction.

How so? A light that has a blue tinge can still be excessively bright.

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by NickFitz
I hate those new-fangled excessively bright headlights - the ones that look blue when seen from almost any angle other than straight on. I particularly hate the morons who drive with them on full beam on dual carriageways, apparently unconcerned by the fact that they're blinding every other driver on the opposite carriageway


I am puzzled about the regulations for HIDs because it appears that even manufactures are not fitting them correctly in the factory. The regulations state that the car must have either self levelling suspension or self levelling headlamps and also be equipped with headlamp washers.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Originally Posted by NickFitz
I hate those new-fangled excessively bright headlights - the ones that look blue when seen from almost any angle other than straight on. I particularly hate the morons who drive with them on full beam on dual carriageways, apparently unconcerned by the fact that they're blinding every other driver on the opposite carriageway


I am puzzled about the regulations for HIDs because it appears that even manufactures are not fitting them correctly in the factory. The regulations state that the car must have either self levelling suspension or self levelling headlamps and also be equipped with headlamp washers.

It is possible to buy aftermarket kits - I've sen quite a few cars with non-factory HID, or ones that have been retro-fitted with HID but without the extra autolevelling kit. I've also seen one guy on an internet forum bragging about how he had "hacked" the vehicle computer (this was on a VW Golf) and raised the maximum level for the headlights because he thought they weren't set high enough.

I'm on my second car with HID lights - the standard height was reset three times by three different garages, all of whom claimed that the previous adjustments must have been done by a numpty - go figure?

[threaded]

Fun statistic I've just found:

Swapping to LED traffic lights etc. is projected to save Århus kommune 5 mil kWh per year lecky and cost 143 mil kr.

[Diver]

Fun statistic I've just found:

Swapping to LED traffic lights etc. is projected to save Århus kommune 5 mil kWh per year lecky and cost 143 mil kr.

They also Ice over and get covered in snow as they don't generate enough heat to keep them clear, this has caused several accidents.

A lot of areas that are snow prone, particularly in the USA are switching back to standard bulbs in their traffic lights.

HTH