8 things you didn’t know about LEDs

This article is about some characteristics and applications of LEDs. If you are interested in LEDs or you are working in the LED industry, you can read it right now.

1. A light-emitting diode, or LED, is a type of solid-state lighting that uses a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. Today’s LED bulbs can be six-seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights and cut energy use by more than 80 percent.

2. Good-quality LED bulbs can have a useful life of 25,000 hours or more -- meaning they can last more than 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. That is a life of more than three years if it runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

3. Unlike incandescent bulbs -- which release 90 percent of their energy as heat -- LEDs use energy far more efficiently with little wasted heat.

4. From traffic lights and vehicle brake lights to TVs and display cases, LEDs are used in a wide range of applications because of their unique characteristics, which include compact size, ease of maintenance, resistance to breakage, and the ability to focus the light in a single direction instead of having it go every which way.

5. LEDs contain no mercury, and a recent Energy Department study determined that LEDs have a much smaller environmental impact than incandescent bulbs. They also have an edge over compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). That’s expected to grow over the next few years as LED technology continues its steady improvement.

6. Since the Energy Department started funding solid-state lighting R&D in 2000, these projects have received 58 patents. Some of the most successful projects include developing new ways to use materials, extract more light, and solve the underlying technical challenges. Most recently, the Energy Department announced five new projects that will focus on cutting costs by improving manufacturing equipment and processes.

7. The first visible-spectrum LED was invented by Nick Holonyak, Jr., while working for GE in 1962. Since then, the technology has rapidly advanced and costs have dropped tremendously, making LEDs a viable lighting solution. Between 2011 and 2012, global sales of LED replacement bulbs increased by 22 percent while the cost of a 60-watt equivalent LED bulb fell by nearly 40 percent. By 2030, it's estimated that LEDs will account for 75 percent of all lighting sales.

8. In 2012, about 49 million LEDs were installed in the U.S. -- saving about $675 million in annual energy costs. Switching entirely to LED lights over the next two decades could save the U.S. $250 billion in energy costs, reduce electricity consumption for lighting by nearly 50 percent and avoid 1,800 million metric tons of carbon emissions.

                           

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Tips for installing LED lights on your vehicle

Once you've decided and purchased your LED lights for your vehicle, it is time to install.

Your LED light bar package will come with an Installation Manual. Here are a few preparation tips that you can use to avoid mistakes and to ensure an easy installation:

1. Once you have your LED light bar package ready, check the contents and make sure that you have everything you need before starting. Before starting with the installation, check that the LED light bar is working by connecting it to a bench tester.

2. Make sure to disconnect the vehicle’s battery before starting with the installation.

3. Find a solid spot on your vehicle to install your light bar on. Note the additional stress that acceleration and braking can induce. Installing it on the roll bar is ideal but if the roll bar is not where you need your lights on, plan for the placement because drilling will be involved. Do you want to mount it on the bumper, windshield, or roof? Forums are a great resource in finding out which one will best suit your needs as well as best adapt to the structure of your vehicle.

4. Make sure that you know what you are doing before drilling holes through your vehicle. Drilling can weaken the structure of your vehicle as well as chip the paint where you don’t intend to.

5. For easier mounting, get rid of dirt and clean the area of the vehicle where you will be installing the light bar.

6. Review the wiring diagram included in the kit and check if it is compatible with your vehicle. Here’s a good article discussing the different wiring diagrams.

7. Double check the wiring of the light bar; red wire with goes to the positive (+) terminal and black wire to the negative (–) terminal. Incorrect wiring can lead to a short circuit which can damage your vehicle’s electrical system.

8. Once done, clean up and secure the wires in a zip-tie to avoid clutter.

If you have questions about how to do it, it’s best to ask for advice from individuals who have experience with such installations or you can take your vehicle to a professional sales shop.

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LED lighting manufacturers need more emerging market

With the saturation of LED lighting market, the price competition of LED lights has become increasingly intense. Many LED lighting manufacturers are changing their strategies to face the immense challenge. They have started penetrating and tapping the highly potential and emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Africa and Russia.

Why do LED lighting manufacturers choose these places as their new and emerging market? There are many factors to explain the change of their strategies, such as high populations, good government policies, installation of major LED projects, high power price and acute energy crisis.

This is the situation in South Asia: it has a population of 560 million people, the more people, and the more potential users. Many parts of South Asia don’t have lighting equipments to illuminate, they still lie in darkness, which become the key regions to import more LED lighting. Since incandescent bulb is not energy-efficient, more and more South Asia countries are implementing policies to phase out incandescent bulbs, for example, India has replaced them with LED street lights in many of its cities.

The level of economic development of African countries has been the lowest in the world. Some countries do not have lighting equipment for lighting, and even some places have no electricity supply. Africa has 15% of the world’s population. It has a huge LED flood light and other public LED lighting market. African governments have been trying to take up major LED lighting projects to import more LED lighting, hoping more LED lighting manufacturers to enter the African lighting market.

There are rarely local LED lighting manufacturers in Russia. Hence, they have to imports about 90% of LED lighting products. In the case, LED bulb price in Russia is much higher than in South Asia. For example, a 60W LED bulb is sold in Russia, but the price will be higher 40% than in Taiwan. This is the reason why LED lighting manufacturers want to enter the Russian market. They can earn much more profit than other markets. Russia has a large population. According to conservative estimates, there are about US$1.01 billion in Russian LED market. The key point is that Russia has very less awareness about LED technology, which is another driving factor for LED lighting manufacturers to tap the market.

However, a big obstacle will affect the enthusiasm of LED lighting manufacturers. Many countries, especially South Asian countries and Russian, they have very high tariffs that make it difficult for overseas manufacturers to enter the local market. For example, Thailand has a 20% tariff and 7% VAT on imported lighting products. These Southeast Asian countries rely heavily on Chinese imports as they are quite cheap compared to products imported from other countries. In order to facilitate global trade, some agreement formulated by international organizations can solve the problem. For example, ASEAN agreement demonstrates tariffs reduction between the member states. This will give big relief for the importers to enter new overseas markets. What’s more, Russia’s entry into WTO is another settlement to reduce import tariffs.

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Tire King Francois Michelin died at age 88

According to foreign media reports, the French industrialist, Tire King Francois Michelin died at age 88. He is the grandson of old Edward Michelin, who is the founder of Michelin company and led the development of the company for up to 47 years. Michelin company declined to disclose the date and place of his death.

The CEO of Michelin company, Sheng Nader said: “In the name of all employees from Michelin Company, I want to thank to the unique Mr. Francois Michelin especially, we have great respect for his values, his beliefs, his vision.”

Francois Michelin promoted and achieved the Radial Tire Technology in his term of office, while Michelin Company established a leadership position in the global tire industry. Under his leadership, Michelin Company gradually formed enthusiasm, innovation and quality-oriented corporate culture.

Francois Michelin’s mother was death when he was 10 years old, and the crash took his father’s life when he was 14 years old. Later his aunt began to take care of the orphaned Francois, and his grandfather, old Edward, put Michelin Tire Company turn in his name.

From 1940 to 1955, his uncle Francois Michelin Bowie helped him manage the company. After graduating from college, he began to work in Michelin Tire Company, and took over the management of the company in 1959.

Francois Michelin let the Michelin Tire Company to a global development, and put the outstanding company to his son, little Edward Michelin, who died in a sea accident. Francois Michelin retired in 2002.

30000 twinkling LED lights make Budapest trams look like awesome time machines

Most of us have been in the tram, but there are quite a lot of people who have never been in a tram decorated by twinkling LED lights. Well, this particular tram in Budapest is wrapped in no less than 30000 LED bulbs. Perhaps traveling by this tram in particular will give you a very memorable experience unlike any other.

In celebration of the Christmas spirit, ever since 2009, the Budapest Transport Company has decorated the city’s trams with over 30000 twinkling LED lights for the duration of the holiday season. As it turns out, the tram is not wrapped in so many LED bulbs. It is just in order to commemorate a big day and a huge festive event that is about to take place in Budapest, and during that time all passengers can take the trams for no extra cost.

The lights themselves might be of no interest, but with a long exposure photo, these trams transform into ethereal cosmic vessels or time-travelling public transportation vehicles, giving photographers spending their holidays in Budapest a fun opportunity to snap some cool photos.

Fast&furious

Fast&furious is a racing-themed movie. From the first movie released in 2001, <fast&furious> has a large number of fans. Especially <fast&furious 7>, has already gained 2006 billion box offices in two weeks, becoming the most selling movies at present. There are two elements in the movie, the brand racing cars and the passion for racing cars.

Many people love to watch the movies, because there are a variety of racing cars, which will make lots of fans excited. Now, let’s look at some brand racing cars in the movies <fast&furious>.

The seventh generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140). The series models were released in march 1991, and the front looks like a tiger's head. The seventh-generation S-Class with a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine and 4.2 liters and 5.0 liters V8 engine, S-class top model is equipped with 6.0 liters V12 engine, maximum power 394 horsepower (290kW) / 5200rpm, maximum torque of 570N · m / 3800rpm at an electronically limited top speed of 250km / h, 0-100km / h acceleration time of 6.3 seconds.

1969 Torino GT Sportsroof is mounted in-line six-cylinder engine including 4.1 liters and 4.9 liters, 5.8 liters, 6.4 liters and 7.0 liters, including a variety of V8 engines, 7.0 l V8 naturally aspirated engine maximum power 340 hp (250kW) / 5200rpm, maximum torque of 597N · m / 3400rpm, with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 3-speed automatic gearbox, 0-100km / h acceleration time of 7 seconds and a top speed of 201km / h.

2011 McLaren 12C is equipped with code M838T twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine, maximum power 626 horsepower (460kW) / 7500rpm, maximum torque of 600N · m / 3000-7000rpm, with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, top speed of 330km / h , 0-100km / h acceleration time of 3.3 seconds.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10. This generation models V10 engine displacement of 8.4 liters locked in maximum power of 600 hp and maximum torque of 760N · m, although powerful performance, but does not everyone can manage this "snake."

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z / 28. The first generation Camaro hardtop and convertible version offers two models for consumers to choose, which is divided into RS, SS and Z / 28 three models, in addition to 3.8 liters and 4.1-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the main push of the V8 model row the amount includes 4.9 liters, 5.0 liters, 5.4 liters, 5.7 liters, 6.5 liters and 7.0 liters.

2011 Jeep Wrangler. The most intuitive change is 3.6-liter V6 engine and 5-speed manual gearbox replaces the previous 3.8-liter V6 engine and four-speed automatic gearbox, the maximum power 284 horsepower (209kW) / 6300rpm, maximum torque of 347N · m / 4300rpm, reduce emissions, while maximum power increased by 85 hp and maximum torque also increases 32N · m.

2008 Impreza WRX STi. The car is also the first cars in the hatchback model, which carry 2.5 l four-cylinder horizontally-opposed turbocharged engine, maximum power of 300 horsepower (221kW) / 6000rpm, maximum torque of 407N · m, 6-speed manual transmission and full-time four-wheel drive system, a top speed of 250km / h, 0-100km / h acceleration time of 5.2 seconds.

Ferrari 458 Italia. 4.5 l naturally aspirated V8 engine maximum power of 578 hp / 9000rpm, maximum torque of 540N · m / 6000rpm, with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, top speed of 325km / h, 0-100km / h acceleration time of 3.4 seconds.

Nissan GT-R (R35). 3.8 l twin-turbo V6 engine, maximum power 550 hp and maximum torque of 632N · m

2004 Aston Martin DB9. Aston Martin DB9 is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine, maximum power 517 horsepower (380kW) / 6500rpm, maximum torque of 620N · m / 5500rpm, with six-speed manual or six-speed manual gearbox, the highest speed of 299km / h, 0-100km / h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds.

12th generation Suburban. Models for the film's 12th generation Suburban, Cadillac car Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon for the same vehicle platform, equipped with 5.3 liters and 6.2 liters V8 naturally aspirated engine with engine matched by a 6-speed automatic transmission .

The advantages and disadvantages of LED lighting for vehicles

Taillight

The purpose of the taillights is to remind the trailing vehicle to be careful, so that it can has more time to prepare and take appropriate measures to deal with emergency situations. Generally taillights don’t need to be too bright, only can be lit and transfer warning signal to the trailing drivers.

In recent years, red and yellow LED technology is very mature, which provide more space for LED designers to design different types of LED taillights. LED taillights are very small and very easy to use, and it can work at low voltage and have simple electric circuit design. Moreover, LEDs emit light in a specific direction according to different need, and the high brightness within a certain angle has a very obvious warning effect. Different fixtures are equipped to prevent the light from reflectors and reflecting into undesired directions and most of the light can be fully used. The features make the LED lights more efficient. However, LED taillights also have many disadvantages, they are expensive and difficult to maintain. You have to check the LED taillights for cracks; otherwise it will damage the components inside the fixture because of the moisture intrusion. In addition, the drive circuit is relatively complex and need some support from PCB board. In summary, LED taillight technology is relatively mature, and has been adopted by many manufacturers.

Interior lighting

Interior lighting is mainly used for temporary lighting, and has no high requirements in terms of color temperature and brightness.

LED interior lighting is suitable for use inside the car in a short time, and its color temperature and brightness is able to create a comfortable environment. LED interior lighting is applied widely in different types of vehicles because of the lower power consumption and long lifespan, saving more cost in energy and maintenance. However, there are some difficulties in beam pattern design, for you have to consider many sectors, such as the shape of fixture, the color option and mounting bracket. LED interior lights don’t apply for long time lighting, if you still want to do that, you have to equip some cooling device with the lights. The appearance is distinct with the conventional lights, not made of glass, which is easily broken. The interior LED lighting has good function of shockproof, waterproof and dustproof, but its maintenance performance is very poor. All in all, as for interior lighting, LED lighting has some obvious advantages over incandescent lights and fluorescent lamps.

Headlights

Headlights are the most important lights for a vehicle, it just like the eyes of the vehicle, to ensure the security of the driving, especially at dark night.

Like mentioned above, LED headlights are also energy-saving and have a long lifespan, and the power circuit design is simple, too. Headlights are used to illuminate the road ahead in order to avoid all obstacles roadside, and hence, it must provide sufficient illumination. At the same time, the feature must be configured better cooling devices. LED headlights have different types of beam pattern, some are spot beam, the other are flood beam, but in recent years there has been combo beam pattern, which meet the requirements of long distance and wide range illumination. However, the beam pattern design is complex, and there are still some difficulty to achieve the best lighting effects between spot beam and flood beam.