For most people, probably the biggest single factor against low energy LED lighting as a substitute for the soon-to-be-phased-out regular incandescent light bulb is the cost differential. There is no doubt that an LED equivalent light bulb (for example a 6w LED spotlight as a direct replacement for a 35w GU10 halogen lamp) is significantly more expensive than either the original or a CFL alternative.
There are however three important points to bear in mind about the higher price for low energy LEDs as compared to incandescent and energy saving CFL light bulbs.
First, the price difference reflects the fact that the use of LED for general purpose domestic lighting is still quite novel, though increasing manufacturing levels and consumer take-up will drive the price down dramatically once both come fully on stream over the coming months.
Second, and partially related to the observation above, is that the cost of LEDs drops by a factor of twenty over the course of each decade. This characteristic is reliably predicted by Haitz’s Law (very similar to Moore’s Law for computer chips and for similar reasons, principally because LEDs are, just like computer chips, pure electronic devices). Haitz also states that LED performance (amount of light per watt of electricity) increases tenfold over the same decade.
Third and perhaps most intriguing is the fact that as far as the cost of domestic lighting is concerned, the price of light bulbs is almost entirely irrelevant. It is an extraordinary yet easily provable fact that even if regular light bulbs were totally free and LED lights cost, let’s say something outrageous like $80 each, it would still be vastly more economical to purchase LED low energy lights.
The reason for this is simple: the cost of electrical lighting is the cost of the energy i.e. electricity. It matters not one jot what the actual light bulbs cost; it’s what it costs to run them that really counts. Also, since LEDs last for tens of thousands of hours (in practice, decades of use) you only need to pay the purchase price once, unlike regular bulbs which last only upto two thousand hours or just over one year.
The second biggest gripe about low energy LED lighting is light levels and quality, or in technical parlance luminosity and light color.
The concern about luminosity stems largely from historical notions of LED lighting applications such as LED Christmas lights and pocket torches which are clearly not capable of providing anything close to useable domestic lighting. However, you could right now purchase one of the latest Sharp Zenigata LED series of light bulbs which is rated at 80 lumens per watt (measure of luminosity).
To understand what this means, consider that a standard 40w incandescent bulb delivers about 360 lumens and a 60w bulb about 540 lumens, which gives a ratio of 9 lumens per watt. Anything that offers greater than 25 lumens per watt can be classed as an energy saving light bulb. Zenigata LED light bulbs consume 6.7 watts and thus produce 6.7 * 80 lumens per watt which is 536 lumens, on a par with the standard 60w incandescent light bulb.
So you could, right now, replace all your 60w light bulbs with Zenigata LED light bulbs rated at 6.7 watts and consume 1/10th (or 90% less) electricity. And remember Haitz’s Law? Because of performance improvements, eighteen months from now you should be able to obtain the same 60w worth of lighting from just 3 watts.
LED light, in common with CFLs, has tended to be a somewhat cool blue colour, whereas we are more accustomed to a warmer yellow white colour. This is something that is now commonly addressed with the use of colored phosphors (these do reduce luminosity but this is in turn compensated for by the ever increasing lumens per watt yields for LEDs).
The third factor that might be considered to weigh against low energy LED lighting is that the light emitted by an LED is intrinsically directional and doesn’t scatter in all directions the way that incandescent and fluorescent lights do. This is actually quite acceptable in a spotlight, flood light or bright reading lamp, but it’s not especially effective for emulating general ambient lighting such as a table lamp would provide. Though again, there are LED powered general lighting light bulbs becoming more commonly available that do a reasonable job here.
Two obvious plus points for low energy LED lighting are ease of retrofit and ecological credentials (other than simply saving energy).
LED lights are widely available for all common base fittings such as mains powered GU10 and 12v MR16 spotlights and the low energy standard base GU24 as well as regular bayonet mounts and Edison screw fittings. LED lights also don’t suffer from the many inherent problems associated with CFLs such as: noticeably poor start-up times; reduced lifespan caused by frequent switching on and off; and bulky unattractive bulbs.
But perhaps one of the most widely known advantages of low energy LED lighting over energy saving CFL light bulbs is that they don’t contain toxic mercury vapour or other unpleasant materials, and thus do not pose a serious health risk or require tiresome and expensive disposal procedures to protect the environment.
To sum up, the main perceived disadvantages of domestic energy saving LED lighting are cost and application (luminosity and color). Yet as we have seen, the cost of a light bulb is actually a red herring – the true cost of electrical lighting is the price of electricity and on this score ultra low energy LED lighting puts everything else, including energy saving CFLs, completely in the shade (pun intended).
As regards luminosity and light quality, LED lights on balance deliver a cleaner, sharper light than CFL light bulbs and offer far more flexibility in terms of color choice and brightness.
Finally, the biggest advantage that low energy domestic LED lighting has over its rivals is that the lighting industry itself regards domestic LED lighting as the future and can barely disguise its contempt for CFLs. Lighting giants such as Philips are on record as stating that they will not invest a single dollar further into CFLs and that their entire research and development efforts are now directed at domestic LED lighting technology.
Those who follow eco-technology trends are well aware that there is a world-wide phase-out of incandescent light bulbs already well underway and scheduled to complete within the next couple of years. Given international legislation to ban incandescent lighting and lack of support for the already dated and unloved CFL, it’s near certain where the future of lighting lies – with low energy LED light. And as advantages go, I’d say that one’s pretty compelling.
Posts Tagged ‘ Led Lights ’
The tail light is a special feature of the lamp which is usually installed on the back side of the car. It operates as an indicator when one driver applies brakes, or he turns left or right. It is not a single light but it is a group of lights which are composed of brake lights, indicator lights and reverse lights. All have different functions and structures. What these lights are composed of is given as:
INDICATORS:
In back-light, indicator lights have different colors like turning indicator lights have yellow color and these indicators are used to designate whether the driver will turn towards left or right. These same indicating lights will also indicate emergency brakes if needed at any time of the journey.
REVERSE LIGHTS:
Reverse lights are also a part of Tail lights group. These reverse lights are automatic ones and when the driver is willing to come to reverse these will indicate their direction of movements. The brightness varies accordingly but it is clear they will not bright as the headlight.
AFTER MARKET TAIL LIGHTS:
These back-lights are sold after the making of a car. Such lightings are also called as Euro lights. It looks like a sport car. These are the beautiful. As these are cheap as compared to the other fashionable LED lights so who want to modify their car into cheap they will use these.
LED BACK-LIGHT:
LED used as day time running light. These LED lights very costly and only used by high end cars like Mazda RX-7. These lights can be available in all colors, need less power and in no time these are powered on.
Tail lights are one of the most attractive features on the rear side of the car. Their cost is very important but its beauty is considered far beyond the thoughts of a man. You can see the manufacturers have changed the size, shape and revolutionary experimentation on this aspect of the car. Always the drivers are in search of these. Some are so bright that it can be seen from the distant. These are the decorative feature of the car.
Anyhow it is recognized fact that these are the safety feature and not only has it informed the driver that there is a car ahead. Whether the ahead drivers make a reverse movement or apply brakes he is informed before.
These provide the driver a safer and relaxed journey so if you choose them with great caution then it will be better for you. If you want to have you car as yet and just want to change and it will be done at the nominal cost. Your choice will depend upon the place from where you buy it. You can get at good prices if you make a better selection of the store.
Car tail lights make driving safer for you and others. If you choose them wisely, besides indicating your presence on the road they will direct attention to your good taste in a subtle manner. If you so desire, you can even retain your existing car but change only the tail lights. It will be enable you to impart a distinctive touch to your car at a nominal cost.
Traditionally the red tail lights called Alteeza or red, Euro are the modifications of the existing red lights. The bulb are stronger and luminous then the traditional.
There are many local and internet retailers who have the business of car. You should select the car, these are according to the color of the car. It should match the car, never to get it at once but you can save your money, sometimes few government auctions of the cars or accidentally totaled cars will be the best option to have your beautiful car tail.
LED lights are a much advanced lighting technology. A Japanese inventor first came up with this idea but it was originally in blue light form. This became the footprint of the LED flashlights we now see today.
You can make your own Matchbox LED flashlight if you want. Here are the ways on how you can do this:
Step 1: Get a sturdy matchbox. Make sure that it has good materials so it does not give out easily. Remove the matches inside and store them in a fire-proof area.
Step 2: Do a bit of measurements in the folds of the matchbox. You can see folds on the side. Start from there and find the center of the box. From the side to the middle of the box, measure a quarter inch and then put a marker using a pen.
Step 3: Use a cutter or a sharp object to place a hole on that mark. The lights should be able to pass through these holes.
Step 4: Now you can put the LED lights inside the holes. The bulbs should be poking outside the box. Now handle the wirings.
Step 5: Get a duct tape and then tape the wires to the sides of the matchbox so it does not stick out and poke you. Also, this will help supply electricity properly to the lights.
Step 6: Purchase a battery using 3 volts. Using the duct tape, make sure you tape it securely to the inside of the box. In this way, when you press the box, it will touch the wires and will then transfer power.
Step 7: Now you can test if it is already working. Press the center of the box to connect battery to the wires. This should already light up properly.
Most of the flashlights sold today are compact as it is but this project is a good emergency lighting material. You can always afford to spare a space for a matchbox. Whenever your kids are out trekking, make this project and have them put it in their pockets.
Cave adventurers can also benefit a lot from this. The lights from LEDs are strong enough to guide you. Also keep a battery handy just in case you will need to change the battery in this DIY project. Storing this at home is also ideal for power interruptions.
BMW has been focusing on new LED lighting systems to make the 2011 BMW E92 3 Series Coupe as recognizable at both night time and as well as its new stylish LED BMW Angel Eyes as daytime running lights at daytime.
A total of 155 pieces regular and high power LEDs illuminate the BMW E92 3 Series Coupe’s interior and exterior, creating a unique look that builds on the brand’s heritage of innovative lighting and design, according to BMW’s chief designer, Chris Bangle.
The fiber optical LED light pipes — clear tubes that direct light — for the BMW’s brake lights, turn signal lights, and tail running lights are the latest theme for BMW’s newly signature design of tail light lamps that have distinguished BMW from 2006.
“Lighting is one of the last frontiers to differentiate cars,” said one of BMW design director, adding that “countless hours and days” went into designing the BMW’s sleek and modern look tail lights. “We decided to make lighting a key element of the car’s appearance and character.”
The front daytime running lights are also different from most other European vehicles such as Audi, Mercedes. BMW has finally made its signature and unique Angel Eye Halo Rings using high power Xenon White LED lights which has much better looking for its previous yellowish angel eyes and can be seen from quite far away and instantly link your mind to BMW even without seeing this car clearly.
Exteriorly and Interiorly also uses ambient LED lights in the door pulls, foot wells and recessed between the upper and lower instrument panels. The result, says BMW, is a dramatic effect similar to recessed lighting used in contemporary homes. The 2011 BMW E92 3 Series Coupe goes on sale already at the end of last year 2010.
Overall, LED lights such as BMW Angel Eyes, LED door handle lights and LED tail lights are widely used not only for BMW, but also many other automakers such as Mercedes, Acura, Toyota, etc and it will continue to be innovated.
A self-powered flashlight does not require the recharging of battery. You can supply power through the use of solar energy. This is a good way to cut back on costs and to help preserve Mother Nature.
If you already have an existing LED flashlight, you can easily convert into a solar-powered one. Just use the solar panel from a solar calculator. If you have an old calculator there, you can use that panel.
The next steps are what you will follow:
Step 1: Using a screwdriver, remove the outer shell of the calculator. Get a wire cutter and cut the wires that secure the panel to the calculator. Once you have removed that, set it aside. Make sure the wires are still connected to the panel.
Step 2: Get your LED flashlight. Remove the top lid of the flashlight head and then remove the outer casing. You might also need the screwdriver to remove the covering. Now you can see the parallel board of the flashlight.
Step 3: Next, get the solar panel and attach the wires to the light parallel board of the flashlight. Afterwards, attach it to the switch using a duct tape.
Step 4: Now you can place the panel right in front of the LED lights. Make sure it will not go out of place once you use it. If it is secured tightly, place the top lid back and then reattach the outer covering of the flashlight.
Step 5: Switch it on for approximately 20 minutes. It will try to absorb solar energy. Afterwards, you can leave the switch on and it will continue to absorb solar energy. If you want to turn this off, just cover the top lid of the flashlight with a dark fabric and tuck it away on a dark place. Now you can enjoy the use of your solar powered flashlight.
This is a good choice for mountaineers or camping enthusiasts. Make it a habit to bring with you a self-powered flashlight and a battery-powered flashlight. It is a good choice so you can still have a spare light even though you do not have a spare battery or you forgot to recharge the battery.
Also, this is a good way to conserve energy. During the day, you can have as much solar energy as you can. It provides a cost-effective way of lighting. So try doing this simple project at home.