Technology is constantly advancing, and the things we take for granted today were once great technological innovations. In the past, plain attaching of screws or changing the form of the component would lead to significant transformations. These innovations would subsequently serve as the foundation for far more prosperous projects. This time we will base our story on truck lights.
Headlights Improvement
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Although all vehicles have lights, we mostly don’t know the way of their evolution. It all started from the modest acetylene lanterns in the 1880s. And yet, it led us to the composite LED and laser systems that we use today. Inventors are permanently working on improving the headlights. They are attempting to find the perfect solution that will outperform rival solutions. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the improvement of light technology is inevitable.
Choosing Headlights For Your Truck
We will now focus on the basic configurations used in truck vehicles.
The common opinion that “new is better” is usually true. But, it doesn’t mean it’s ideal. Sometimes, older light systems also can prove their qualities. Today, several types of headlights are known. Each has its precedence but also its flaws.
Halogen Headlights
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These lights are favored in the truck world. The reason for that is simple. They are easy to use and less expensive. However, these lights are increasingly becoming a second option. It is primarily because halogen units are quite inefficient. The main issue is that these lights are producing high temperatures during light generation. That is completely unused energy. Another problem is the reaction of these lights to different substances. For instance, when you are replacing a light-lamp, you must avoid contact with the glass components. If they come into contact with the grease from your fingers, it will most likely stick to the quartz glass. That will cause an uneven level of temperature. Therefore, it will probably shorten the life of your lights. Still, if you touch it – clean it with a piece of cloth and some alcohol-based cleaning liquid. However, these headlights also have numerous advantages. They deliver decent lighting for a relatively affordable price. They’re also manufactured in various sizes, which means you can install them on most truck models.
HID Headlights (xenon headlights)
These headlights are known for their high-intensity discharge (HID). They are considered to be very efficient. It is primarily because of the temperature color these lights are generating. HID lights function similar to classic neons. They have closed conduits full of gases, and are connected with electrodes on both sides. They are providing very bright light, so both, truck drivers and regular drivers love them. But, you must be careful with some other things. For instance, the angle of illumination may not be regulated well. This is happening usually when you install conversion kits incorrectly or if enclosures are not fitting for the lamps you’re using. Therefore, you must wisely choose your headlight kit and know how to properly install the elements.
Since these headlights are widespread and regularly used, you will find plenty of HID conversion kits. But, how to choose a proper one? You need to consider things such as your bulb size, ballast differences, a relay harness, and capacitors, etc. Therefore you should get informed before you do something you might regret later. If you want to find out what are the best HID conversion kits for trucks, read this article before buying.
LED
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The automotive industry is very advanced, that’s a fact. Along with technology, security, comfort, digital connectivity, headlights have been raised to a higher technological level. In recent years, vehicle manufacturers have been massively turning to LED technology. On paper, this solution can be a great answer for massive production, but it still has a few flaws that may change the view on this type of light technology. The key factor with the LEDs is the fact they use less electricity compared to halogens. Still, several issues must be cleared. For eg., these lights release high temperatures during operation as halogen bulbs. But, they also produce a certain temperature at the bottom of the emitter (mostly a chip). That takes place when the electricity comes throughout, providing risky surroundings for cables or other components. That’s why LEDs require a cooling system in the form of airflow or heat exhaust, otherwise, it would melt.
If you want to ensure nighttime driving with your truck, it is best to choose the headlights that suit your needs. You will also have in mind the cost of maintenance, the durability of the headlights replaced, the ease of use of headlight kits you can find on the market. So choose wisely.
