Do you pay more attention to your headlights than the average driver? The history and technology behind them is interesting. Knowing how they work and the way to maintain them is more than interesting, but can conserve you from unwanted collisions.
Starting with an open fire
More than a century ago, car headlights were fueled by either kerosene or acetylene. Small electric bulbs in a reflector/lens casing were then used after that. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. Another problem with these lights -before the corrosion took its toll - was their intensity resembled constant high beams that blinded oncoming traffic, so the U.S. government made them illegal in 1941.
Other choices for light
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs in your house. High- and low-beam switches started to appear by the 1920s. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology swapped out sealed-beam lights by 1973.
Moving on from there
The standard headlight used today is the Quartz-Iodine (QI). The bulb is once again small, and more modern sealing materials help protect both the bulb and the reflector array. Quartz glass can stand higher temperatures, so the filament can burn hotter, producing brighter light. Modern filaments are good because headlights don't have to be re-aimed when replacing QI bulbs.
Now HD bulbs are available
A high-voltage arc just like a lightening bulb is used with High-intensity-discharge bulbs or HIDs. Less energy is needed than a QI to keep the HID on even though it takes far more energy to get it on. It can be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. You can get HID arrays with QI bulbs to fix this problem. Still, it costs lots of money.
Very bright LED bulbs
Most taillights have LED (light-emitting diode) lights already. Most headlights will not though. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very quickly which allows people to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you do not own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED car headlights now, there are DIY possibilities available, such as the one described at the Instructables site. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. You will have to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
Starting with an open fire
More than a century ago, car headlights were fueled by either kerosene or acetylene. Small electric bulbs in a reflector/lens casing were then used after that. As old bulbs suffered from insufficient insulation, corrosion was common and would easily dim the lights. Another problem with these lights -before the corrosion took its toll - was their intensity resembled constant high beams that blinded oncoming traffic, so the U.S. government made them illegal in 1941.
Other choices for light
Then there were Tungsten filament bulbs. They were similar to light bulbs in your house. High- and low-beam switches started to appear by the 1920s. Since bulbs were pretty cheap to make, the brightness and beam control was inconsistent. Quartz-iodine technology swapped out sealed-beam lights by 1973.
Moving on from there
The standard headlight used today is the Quartz-Iodine (QI). The bulb is once again small, and more modern sealing materials help protect both the bulb and the reflector array. Quartz glass can stand higher temperatures, so the filament can burn hotter, producing brighter light. Modern filaments are good because headlights don't have to be re-aimed when replacing QI bulbs.
Now HD bulbs are available
A high-voltage arc just like a lightening bulb is used with High-intensity-discharge bulbs or HIDs. Less energy is needed than a QI to keep the HID on even though it takes far more energy to get it on. It can be hard to have high-beams on HIDs because they take a minute to get there, although the beam is much crisper. You can get HID arrays with QI bulbs to fix this problem. Still, it costs lots of money.
Very bright LED bulbs
Most taillights have LED (light-emitting diode) lights already. Most headlights will not though. According to Popular Mechanics, only the Audi A8 has them standard today. LEDs light up very quickly which allows people to see further distances with the bright and power efficient LED light.
If you do not own an Audi A8 and want to experience LED car headlights now, there are DIY possibilities available, such as the one described at the Instructables site. Keep in mind that because LEDs use so little power, conventional turn signal switches are not compatible. You will have to switch them out to draw the right amount of current.
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