LED – what is it?
The contemporary market of agricultural machines is evolving dynamically and some of the innovations which are becoming more and more popular include LED working lights. They are not only more energy-effective but they also offer better visibility and durability. LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a semiconductor device emitting light when electrical current flows through it.
But what should we pay attention to when selecting LED working lights? Let us look at the key aspects.
What types of diodes do we have?
LEDs are divided into several types which differ in application, power and light characteristics. If you want to know more, read our article LEDs – what do they differ in?, in which we describe this matter.
Lamp light – what type of light to choose?
When selecting a proper type of light we should consider the type of vehicle and terrain:
Focused light
Perfect for illuminating long and narrow areas, ensuring intensive and focused light. This is an excellent choice for terrain vehicles which require strong and long-range illumination.
Scattered light
Offers a wider illumination range but with lower intensity. It is perfect for trucks working in urban conditions where close-range illumination is needed.
Combo type lights
Combine both these types, providing a versatile solution which is advantageous in various automotive scenarios.
Lamp colour temperature and characteristics – essential parameters
Lamp characteristics
A parameter determining a manner in which light is emitted. It involves a light beam shape and size and its intensity.
Colour temperature
A light colour measure (expressed in Kelvins (K)). In the automotive sector, lower colour temperatures (warm white) are often used for comfort and aesthetics, while higher temperatures (cool white) provide better visibility in adverse conditions.
Other marking and parameters of LED working lamps
Before you select your LED working lights, it is important so that you understand their marking and parameters well:
- Voltage: There is also information about permissible operating voltage provided on working lamps. This is usually 12V, 24V or a range of e.g. 9V-28V. This means that lamps are suitable for both vehicles with the voltage of 12V (such as passenger cars and tractors) and 24V (such as trucks and some agricultural machines).
- Lumens (lm) determine light luminosity. The more lumens, the more luminous the light is. It is worth noting that more lumens not always means higher energy consumption.
- Ingress protection (IP) level (e.g. IP67) informs about resistance to external factors, such as water or dust.
- Service life in hours indicates how long lamps will operate before replacement.
LED working lights are much more than a modern trend in the automotive sector, in particular, in agricultural vehicles. They are a key element which increases operation safety and effectiveness. Therefore, it is worth choosing those which satisfy the needs of a given vehicle or machine best. Proper lighting consists in not only technology but it also guarantees safety and comfort.
