A major global supplier of automotive lighting and electronics, Hella has lighting production facilities with more than 2,000 employees in Mexico - two in Guadalajara and one in Mexico City.
Shown for the first time at this year's New York International Auto Show, the new Beetle is equipped with Hella headlamps, fog lamps, front side markers, tail lamps, rear reflex reflectors and a center high-mounted LED stop lamp.
In addition, Hella Electronics' products supplied for the new vehicle from the company's San Jose Iturbide manufacturing plant include daylight-running-lamp printed circuit boards, which are part of an energy-saving module.
"Hella's relationship with Volkswagen and the VW Beetle dates back to the first Beetle prototype in 1935 and the start of mass production in 1945," said Ignacio Moreno, CEO of Hella Lighting for the Americas and president of Hella's Corporate Center Mexico. "Our lighting partnership with Volkswagen has continued on a variety of Beetle models over the years."
Volkswagen officially started production of the new Beetle in July at its Puebla plant during ceremonies attended by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Hubert Waltl, board member for Production and Logistics at Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
Hella began development of its lighting programs for the new 2012 Beetle in 2009. To develop the tail lamps, members of Hella's engineering and product development staff in North America led a core design team located in Lippstadt, Germany. The headlamps were designed by an engineering team in the Czech Republic.
Hella will be providing halogen and HID versions of the headlamp for use in the Americas and Europe. Hella's halogen headlamp uses a standard reflector system using an HB2/H4 bulb for high and low beams. Daytime running-lamp and position-lamp functions are achieved by using one double filament bulb. Production of the halogen version of the headlamps for the new Beetle started earlier this year at a Hella plant in Mexico City.
Hella's HID headlamp consists of a bi-xenon projector using an innovative 25-watt burner - an energy-efficient solution that offers savings of 30W when compared to halogen-bulb solutions. Hella also uses LED technology to generate daytime running-lamp and position-light functions. The LED arrangement gives the headlamp a distinctive appearance.
One of many Hella lamps on the new Beetle is a front side-marker single-function lamp. Located in the front fender of the vehicle near the wheels, the side-marker is a single lamp that uses standard bulb technology.
The rear-reflectors are a safety features that reflect light, enabling other motorists to see a parked vehicle or a vehicle driving without the tail lamps on. It is integrated into the rear bumper. Hella also provides VW with a six-function tail lamp. Stop and tail-lamp functions feature a dual filament 21/5-watt incandescent bulb. The turn signal and backup lights use standard bulbs. The side reflex reflector is incorporated in the lens of the tail lamp. The side marker function (only required for the US market), is achieved by using a single LED. This function assures basic visibility of the vehicle at night.
Showing posts with label led strip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label led strip. Show all posts
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Right On
Right On
Notice how expensive light’s going to be getting, I point out in Thursday morning’s Journal Sentinel: Bulb makers say they’re close to perfecting the LED bulb for household use that can replace the 100-watt incandescent bulb, which is more or less illegal as of next year. The LED bulb would cost, at least at the outset, about $50.
In what world does a $50 light bulb for household use make sense? One where the government makes the cheaper alternatives scarce. Congress knocked out 50-cent incandescent bulbs as part of a 311-page law passed in Nancy Pelosi’s first bloom of power and signed – gee, thanks, pal – by President George W. Bush. The ban* approaches unhindered under President Barack Obama and, as I point out, fits right into his plans to nudge us into a “green jobs” utopia. It’s of a piece with Obama’s cap-and-trade-and-Chevy-Volt dreams.
I write:
“In selling all these things, the president speaks of villains who at last will be made to pay: Coal-burning utilities will squirm, oil companies will be discomfited. In place of these baddies, virtuous new industries will be spawned.
“But he makes an elementary error: He sees the $50-per-bulb of revenue to a new lighting industry while never noticing the $49.50 of other things that people would have bought had their government not ginned up a light-bulb crisis. The $50 isn't new money: It's just diverted against customers' will from, say, mustard or dentistry or shoes or motel stays or any of a million things that people would rather spend their money on if the government had let well enough alone.
“Underlying all this is, apparently, a belief that you and I have to get used to less of nearly everything, energy included, and that it's up to policy-makers to nudge us. Take another part of (Rep. Paul) Ryan's plans, health care for future retirees. He proposes a reliable, tested mechanism to bring prices down - market economics. Obama instead proceeds from the belief that we're using too much health care. He proposes an expert panel that will restrict how much care people get, especially of expensive, new treatments.
“On taxes, Obama talks endlessly of more accurately finding out who has too much money - again with the villains! - and taxing away more of it. Ryan audaciously suggests we see how we can all get richer, meaning more money for every purpose - including government, and without the punitive rates.”
Read about a more optimistic alternative here.
*By the way, I know that formally speaking, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 does not ban incandescent bulbs. No, it just insists that any bulb you are permitted to buy should be many times as efficient as incandescent bulbs can be. Clever.
Also, yes, I know compact fluorescents are somewhat cheaper than LEDs. Yes, I know they save money long-term, presuming the kids don’t break them. That’s why I use several around my house, in places where I don’t care that their light is weak and ugly. That doesn’t make it right for the government to boss around your light bulb selection.
Notice how expensive light’s going to be getting, I point out in Thursday morning’s Journal Sentinel: Bulb makers say they’re close to perfecting the LED bulb for household use that can replace the 100-watt incandescent bulb, which is more or less illegal as of next year. The LED bulb would cost, at least at the outset, about $50.
In what world does a $50 light bulb for household use make sense? One where the government makes the cheaper alternatives scarce. Congress knocked out 50-cent incandescent bulbs as part of a 311-page law passed in Nancy Pelosi’s first bloom of power and signed – gee, thanks, pal – by President George W. Bush. The ban* approaches unhindered under President Barack Obama and, as I point out, fits right into his plans to nudge us into a “green jobs” utopia. It’s of a piece with Obama’s cap-and-trade-and-Chevy-Volt dreams.
I write:
“In selling all these things, the president speaks of villains who at last will be made to pay: Coal-burning utilities will squirm, oil companies will be discomfited. In place of these baddies, virtuous new industries will be spawned.
“But he makes an elementary error: He sees the $50-per-bulb of revenue to a new lighting industry while never noticing the $49.50 of other things that people would have bought had their government not ginned up a light-bulb crisis. The $50 isn't new money: It's just diverted against customers' will from, say, mustard or dentistry or shoes or motel stays or any of a million things that people would rather spend their money on if the government had let well enough alone.
“Underlying all this is, apparently, a belief that you and I have to get used to less of nearly everything, energy included, and that it's up to policy-makers to nudge us. Take another part of (Rep. Paul) Ryan's plans, health care for future retirees. He proposes a reliable, tested mechanism to bring prices down - market economics. Obama instead proceeds from the belief that we're using too much health care. He proposes an expert panel that will restrict how much care people get, especially of expensive, new treatments.
“On taxes, Obama talks endlessly of more accurately finding out who has too much money - again with the villains! - and taxing away more of it. Ryan audaciously suggests we see how we can all get richer, meaning more money for every purpose - including government, and without the punitive rates.”
Read about a more optimistic alternative here.
*By the way, I know that formally speaking, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 does not ban incandescent bulbs. No, it just insists that any bulb you are permitted to buy should be many times as efficient as incandescent bulbs can be. Clever.
Also, yes, I know compact fluorescents are somewhat cheaper than LEDs. Yes, I know they save money long-term, presuming the kids don’t break them. That’s why I use several around my house, in places where I don’t care that their light is weak and ugly. That doesn’t make it right for the government to boss around your light bulb selection.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Changing Light Bulb Perceptions
Changing Light Bulb Perceptions
In just a few months time, Americans can start saying goodbye to Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, an invention that's been lighting millions of homes around the world for the last 100 years or so. Due to U.S. federal legislation passed in 2007, incandescent light bulbs between 40 and 100 watts will be phased out between January 2012 and January 2014, and will be replaced by more energy-efficient lighting solutions such as halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (more commonly known as CFLs) and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs.
As with any piece of American legislation, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 have been met with some resistance. For one, the phase out of cheap, but energy-inefficient light bulbs will mean that consumers will have to spend more in order to light their homes. CFLs today normally cost around $2 to $3. Halogen lamps and LED light bulbs on the other hand, normally cost $10 and $20 to $30 respectively. Of course, what most people forget is that the initial cost of purchasing new bulbs is definitely worth the savings that can be gained in the long run.
Interestingly enough, CFLs have long been adopted by many homeowners, even before the legislation became official. In fact, statistics show that close to half of the bulbs sold in America are made of CFLs, LEDs and halogens. Most contractors even point out that the legislation will have little effect on home lighting, particularly recessed lighting.
What needs to be done now to convince consumers to make the switch is to spread information on what they should check for when buying light bulbs. In the old days, consumers would look at a bulb's wattage to determine its brightness; that standard no longer applies today, as most 10-watt CFL bulbs produce the same lighting power as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Instead, the lumens rating of a bulb is what buyers need to look out for, as this will be the main indicator of the strength of light generated by a bulb.
In just a few months time, Americans can start saying goodbye to Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, an invention that's been lighting millions of homes around the world for the last 100 years or so. Due to U.S. federal legislation passed in 2007, incandescent light bulbs between 40 and 100 watts will be phased out between January 2012 and January 2014, and will be replaced by more energy-efficient lighting solutions such as halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (more commonly known as CFLs) and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs.
As with any piece of American legislation, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 have been met with some resistance. For one, the phase out of cheap, but energy-inefficient light bulbs will mean that consumers will have to spend more in order to light their homes. CFLs today normally cost around $2 to $3. Halogen lamps and LED light bulbs on the other hand, normally cost $10 and $20 to $30 respectively. Of course, what most people forget is that the initial cost of purchasing new bulbs is definitely worth the savings that can be gained in the long run.
Interestingly enough, CFLs have long been adopted by many homeowners, even before the legislation became official. In fact, statistics show that close to half of the bulbs sold in America are made of CFLs, LEDs and halogens. Most contractors even point out that the legislation will have little effect on home lighting, particularly recessed lighting.
What needs to be done now to convince consumers to make the switch is to spread information on what they should check for when buying light bulbs. In the old days, consumers would look at a bulb's wattage to determine its brightness; that standard no longer applies today, as most 10-watt CFL bulbs produce the same lighting power as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Instead, the lumens rating of a bulb is what buyers need to look out for, as this will be the main indicator of the strength of light generated by a bulb.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Solar-powered lights to dazzle city crossings
Get ready to follow solar energy based traffic signals in the city. Solar powered signalling system would be installed at 22 crossroads over next three months. Once completed the crossings will wear a brand new look.
The installation work, traffic officials said, is being done by a Delhi-based firm under public-private-partnership model.
Traffic Inspector Bipin Chandra Pandey told TOI: "As a part of its pilot project, installion work is first taken at Maharana Pratap crossing and would be further taken to other crossings. The work of laying cable lines and setting up booth too is underway."
He added that the work on the solar run traffic light signalling system would be done in a phased manner.
Pandey further added that solar run traffic signalling system has been quite successful in cities like Agra and Bareilly. As far as working of solar run lights are concerned, solar traffic lights original lights are equipped with the latest technology and use photovoltaic cells.
A solar panel located on the top of the pole converts sunlight into electrical power. A solar charger regulates the voltage coming out of the solar panel. The regulated power obtained is used to charge a battery.
Lighting is produced by an array of extra bright LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that are much brighter than bulbs. LEDs usually last for years and are very energy efficient. LEDs are small in size, but they can produce a significant amount of light. If solar lighting is progressing very fast, it is mainly due to LED technology.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have already removed the defunct traffic lights. The officials have also sought public cooperation in the same regard.
A solar run traffic signalling light costs around Rs eight lakh and is an efficient alternative, provided enough energy is stored.
The installation work, traffic officials said, is being done by a Delhi-based firm under public-private-partnership model.
Traffic Inspector Bipin Chandra Pandey told TOI: "As a part of its pilot project, installion work is first taken at Maharana Pratap crossing and would be further taken to other crossings. The work of laying cable lines and setting up booth too is underway."
He added that the work on the solar run traffic light signalling system would be done in a phased manner.
Pandey further added that solar run traffic signalling system has been quite successful in cities like Agra and Bareilly. As far as working of solar run lights are concerned, solar traffic lights original lights are equipped with the latest technology and use photovoltaic cells.
A solar panel located on the top of the pole converts sunlight into electrical power. A solar charger regulates the voltage coming out of the solar panel. The regulated power obtained is used to charge a battery.
Lighting is produced by an array of extra bright LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that are much brighter than bulbs. LEDs usually last for years and are very energy efficient. LEDs are small in size, but they can produce a significant amount of light. If solar lighting is progressing very fast, it is mainly due to LED technology.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have already removed the defunct traffic lights. The officials have also sought public cooperation in the same regard.
A solar run traffic signalling light costs around Rs eight lakh and is an efficient alternative, provided enough energy is stored.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Breaking the Speed Limit
Last week it was the throwers. Next week it just might be the multi-eventers. But today, at the 25th Annual Pomona-Pitzer Invitational, it was the Cougar sprinters who took center stage and enjoyed their day in the spotlight.
Junior All-American Zachary Keene led the way for the Cougars speedsters, putting together arguably the best-ever regular-season meet in his collegiate career. Keene was the undisputed sprint champion of the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational, winning both the 100- and 200-meter dashes with season-best times. In fact, his winning effort in the 200 – a 21.19 – was a personal-best and the seventh-best mark in Azusa Pacific history. Keene grabbed the early and as he came out of the turn he pulled away from the field, beating his nearest competitor by .43 of a second.
Earlier in the meet he won the 100 with a windy 10.58, holding off Jordan Taylor of Cal State Bakersfield who was second with a 10.70. For Keene, it was his first 100 of the season, and the effort bodes well for a man who is trying to become the third Cougar ever to win the NAIA 100- and 200-meter national championships later this year.
Keene opened the meet by anchoring the Cougars’ 4x100-meter relay to a season-best 41.86.
On the women’s side of the sprints, Cougar senior Mandy Ross, an All-American as well, finished second in both the 100- and 200-meters, and in keeping in line with her individual performances she anchored the Cougars’ 4x100 relay to a second-place showing with a 47.46, teaming with Anita Fung, Breanna Leslie and Tiffeny Parker to clock the fourth-fastest relay in Azusa Pacific history.
Ross recorded a very fine early-season 12.11 in her first 100 of the outdoor season. She then ran a 24.76 in the 200.
While Keene and Ross were clearly the stars of the meet, they weren’t the only Cougars to shine on the track. Sophomore Poppy Lawman completed a fantastic week of racing by narrowly finishing second in the women’s 800-meters with a season-best time of 2:10.63. Canadian high school phenom Jenna Westaway edged Lawman by .02 of a second. The day before Lawman ran a 4:30.22 in the 1500 meters at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee/Rafer Johnson Invitational at UCLA. In her first 1500 of the season, Lawman posted a time less than 2 seconds off her personal-best.
In the men’s 800 meters at Pomona, senior Montrail Brooks blazed a personal-best 1:53.67, finishing sixth in the 82-man field with a time just off the NAIA qualifying standard.
All-American Staphon Arnold led Azusa Pacific’s showing in the field events, finishing second in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 6’ 9 3/4”, easily qualifying for the NAIA outdoors in his first competition of the year.
Back at UCLA on Friday, Lawman’s performance was one of just several excellent times posted by Azusa Pacific distance runners. NAIA champion Lauren Jimison recorded the second-fasted 5000-meter run in Azusa Pacific history with a 16:38.91, trailing event winner Danielle Tauro of Michigan by 6 seconds.
Senior Abednego Magut finished second in the men’s 1500-meters with an NAIA-qualifying 3:51.87.
Overall for the weekend, Azusa Pacific punched a dozen more entries for NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet later this spring in Marion, Ind.
Junior All-American Zachary Keene led the way for the Cougars speedsters, putting together arguably the best-ever regular-season meet in his collegiate career. Keene was the undisputed sprint champion of the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational, winning both the 100- and 200-meter dashes with season-best times. In fact, his winning effort in the 200 – a 21.19 – was a personal-best and the seventh-best mark in Azusa Pacific history. Keene grabbed the early and as he came out of the turn he pulled away from the field, beating his nearest competitor by .43 of a second.
Earlier in the meet he won the 100 with a windy 10.58, holding off Jordan Taylor of Cal State Bakersfield who was second with a 10.70. For Keene, it was his first 100 of the season, and the effort bodes well for a man who is trying to become the third Cougar ever to win the NAIA 100- and 200-meter national championships later this year.
Keene opened the meet by anchoring the Cougars’ 4x100-meter relay to a season-best 41.86.
On the women’s side of the sprints, Cougar senior Mandy Ross, an All-American as well, finished second in both the 100- and 200-meters, and in keeping in line with her individual performances she anchored the Cougars’ 4x100 relay to a second-place showing with a 47.46, teaming with Anita Fung, Breanna Leslie and Tiffeny Parker to clock the fourth-fastest relay in Azusa Pacific history.
Ross recorded a very fine early-season 12.11 in her first 100 of the outdoor season. She then ran a 24.76 in the 200.
While Keene and Ross were clearly the stars of the meet, they weren’t the only Cougars to shine on the track. Sophomore Poppy Lawman completed a fantastic week of racing by narrowly finishing second in the women’s 800-meters with a season-best time of 2:10.63. Canadian high school phenom Jenna Westaway edged Lawman by .02 of a second. The day before Lawman ran a 4:30.22 in the 1500 meters at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee/Rafer Johnson Invitational at UCLA. In her first 1500 of the season, Lawman posted a time less than 2 seconds off her personal-best.
In the men’s 800 meters at Pomona, senior Montrail Brooks blazed a personal-best 1:53.67, finishing sixth in the 82-man field with a time just off the NAIA qualifying standard.
All-American Staphon Arnold led Azusa Pacific’s showing in the field events, finishing second in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 6’ 9 3/4”, easily qualifying for the NAIA outdoors in his first competition of the year.
Back at UCLA on Friday, Lawman’s performance was one of just several excellent times posted by Azusa Pacific distance runners. NAIA champion Lauren Jimison recorded the second-fasted 5000-meter run in Azusa Pacific history with a 16:38.91, trailing event winner Danielle Tauro of Michigan by 6 seconds.
Senior Abednego Magut finished second in the men’s 1500-meters with an NAIA-qualifying 3:51.87.
Overall for the weekend, Azusa Pacific punched a dozen more entries for NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet later this spring in Marion, Ind.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
City Councilman Charles Barron-led yells
Gov. Cuomo speech drowned out with City Councilman Charles Barron-led yells of 'Tax the rich!'
Gov. Cuomo's speech on Sunday night to the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators was interrupted with chants of "Tax the rich!" led by City Councilman Charles Barron.
Cuomo received a warm welcome as he began to address the group, but within moments Barron (D-Brooklyn) did a Kanye West and stole the spotlight.
"Shame on you," Barron yelled at Cuomo after walking from the back of the Albany Convention Center to the front.
"Stop the cuts," Barron said.
"How are you tonight, Charles?" Cuomo said to Barron after the interruption. "I can't see who it is, but I know who it is."
Barron, a known rabble-rouser, seized the moment, yelling, "Tax the rich!"
Soon the chant caught on with a small but vocal group in the crowd of more than 500.
Cuomo's budget calls for deep cuts to education and health care spending to close the state's $10 billion deficit. He also opposes extension of the state's so-called millionaire's tax, which expires at the end of the year.
Gov. Cuomo's speech on Sunday night to the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators was interrupted with chants of "Tax the rich!" led by City Councilman Charles Barron.
Cuomo received a warm welcome as he began to address the group, but within moments Barron (D-Brooklyn) did a Kanye West and stole the spotlight.
"Shame on you," Barron yelled at Cuomo after walking from the back of the Albany Convention Center to the front.
"Stop the cuts," Barron said.
"How are you tonight, Charles?" Cuomo said to Barron after the interruption. "I can't see who it is, but I know who it is."
Barron, a known rabble-rouser, seized the moment, yelling, "Tax the rich!"
Soon the chant caught on with a small but vocal group in the crowd of more than 500.
Cuomo's budget calls for deep cuts to education and health care spending to close the state's $10 billion deficit. He also opposes extension of the state's so-called millionaire's tax, which expires at the end of the year.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Finding Cheap Outdoor Ceiling Fans
So you've decided to add a ceiling fan to that back porch overhang or gazebo, but now you're wondering how much all of this is going to cost. So before dashing off to the local discount home improvement center for some serious bargain hunting let's take a moment to make sure you understand what you're getting into.
An outdoor ceiling fan is a great thing to have to keep the mosquitoes at bay and otherwise keep you cool during those hot days and sultry evening. But remember to put safety first! You first have to make sure you're getting a fan that's actually made to be installed outdoors. Outdoor ceiling fans come in 2 types: Damp-rated for covered porches and other places where the fan will be sheltered from direct rain, and wet-rated fans which are designed to be exposed directly to the elements, including direct rain.
Determine which type you need, based on the installation location, then get out your tape measure and a paper and pencil. You need to make sure that the fan isn't too low or too wide. Keeping in mind that a standard ceiling is 8 ft high, measure the clearance from the floor to the mounting point.
- Ceilings lower than 8 ft will require a low profile, flush-mount fan to avoid interference issue with hats, big hair and heads.
- Ceilings higher than 8 ft are not a problem, but do offer choices. You may want to add a droprod to lower the fan closer to the 8 ft level, and you may need to purchase an angled mounting kit if the ceiling is sloped.
Also check the minimum clearance from the mounting point to the closest wall surface. Most manufacturers have a recommended clearance, usually 2 inches less than the minimum distance to the wall.
Next check out the available power. If there's an existing light you're all set, and if there's an existing light switch, you're in even better shape. Most low-cost fans can be controlled with separate pull chains for fan and lights. An existing wall switch allows you to control the fan and light ON/OFF from the wall, and the use the pull chains to control fan sped and lighting options (ON/OFF, how many bulbs are on with each pull, etc.)
So now that you've identified the type of ceiling fan you need to buy, the size and mounting height requirements and the available power situation, its time to head off to the discount home improvement center to find the best fan and the best price.
An outdoor ceiling fan is a great thing to have to keep the mosquitoes at bay and otherwise keep you cool during those hot days and sultry evening. But remember to put safety first! You first have to make sure you're getting a fan that's actually made to be installed outdoors. Outdoor ceiling fans come in 2 types: Damp-rated for covered porches and other places where the fan will be sheltered from direct rain, and wet-rated fans which are designed to be exposed directly to the elements, including direct rain.
Determine which type you need, based on the installation location, then get out your tape measure and a paper and pencil. You need to make sure that the fan isn't too low or too wide. Keeping in mind that a standard ceiling is 8 ft high, measure the clearance from the floor to the mounting point.
- Ceilings lower than 8 ft will require a low profile, flush-mount fan to avoid interference issue with hats, big hair and heads.
- Ceilings higher than 8 ft are not a problem, but do offer choices. You may want to add a droprod to lower the fan closer to the 8 ft level, and you may need to purchase an angled mounting kit if the ceiling is sloped.
Also check the minimum clearance from the mounting point to the closest wall surface. Most manufacturers have a recommended clearance, usually 2 inches less than the minimum distance to the wall.
Next check out the available power. If there's an existing light you're all set, and if there's an existing light switch, you're in even better shape. Most low-cost fans can be controlled with separate pull chains for fan and lights. An existing wall switch allows you to control the fan and light ON/OFF from the wall, and the use the pull chains to control fan sped and lighting options (ON/OFF, how many bulbs are on with each pull, etc.)
So now that you've identified the type of ceiling fan you need to buy, the size and mounting height requirements and the available power situation, its time to head off to the discount home improvement center to find the best fan and the best price.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Do You Require Special LED Lamps for LED Bulbs?
No one is surprised to hear that money makes the world go round, but some of the ways people try to make money can be shocking. So, here is the scoop on LED lamps and the need to retrofit or change out fixtures in order to use LED bulbs.
The only time you would need to switch out fixtures is if you are searching for new options in commercial lighting or you want to use the new LED tube bulbs in an old fluorescent tube fixture. To use the new 2 pin replacements you would need to remove or bypass the old ballast and starter in the fixture - a simple enough job.
Selecting Bulbs for your Lamps
Switching to LED bulbs is no more difficult than switching a light bulb. The key issue is getting the right replacement bulb when you go shopping. Fewer manufacturers are placing wattage upon their packaging; instead you will start seeing things marked with lumens, or labeled as "replaces 40W." Check labels carefully, and make sure you are getting LED bulbs, not CFL bulbs which are similarly packaged.
To replace a 25 watt bulb, look for about 250 lumens. A 40 watt replacement LED should generate 400-500 lumens. A 60 watt alternative should run about 800 lumens and a 100 watt replacement ought to be rated for 1400-1700 lumens.
The Advantages of LEDs
First and foremost you will save a tremendous amount of electricity. On average LED bulbs use 80%-90% less energy to deliver the same light as comparable incandescent bulbs. When compared to CFL bulbs, they are almost 50% more efficient. That's a lot of juice when you take in to account your whole home.
LED bulbs don't require a warm up time, they contain no mercury and many of them can be used with dimmer switches. Your average LED bulb will last 20 years or more, even with constant use. They generate nearly no heat, making them easy to change. Finally, they don't contain mercury, which all fluorescent bulbs do.
While the initial cost with LED lamps is higher, the overall cost will be significantly lower. Consider starting small, with a hard to reach fixture - it won't be long before you join the movement to safer, more environmentally sound lighting choices.
The only time you would need to switch out fixtures is if you are searching for new options in commercial lighting or you want to use the new LED tube bulbs in an old fluorescent tube fixture. To use the new 2 pin replacements you would need to remove or bypass the old ballast and starter in the fixture - a simple enough job.
Selecting Bulbs for your Lamps
Switching to LED bulbs is no more difficult than switching a light bulb. The key issue is getting the right replacement bulb when you go shopping. Fewer manufacturers are placing wattage upon their packaging; instead you will start seeing things marked with lumens, or labeled as "replaces 40W." Check labels carefully, and make sure you are getting LED bulbs, not CFL bulbs which are similarly packaged.
To replace a 25 watt bulb, look for about 250 lumens. A 40 watt replacement LED should generate 400-500 lumens. A 60 watt alternative should run about 800 lumens and a 100 watt replacement ought to be rated for 1400-1700 lumens.
The Advantages of LEDs
First and foremost you will save a tremendous amount of electricity. On average LED bulbs use 80%-90% less energy to deliver the same light as comparable incandescent bulbs. When compared to CFL bulbs, they are almost 50% more efficient. That's a lot of juice when you take in to account your whole home.
LED bulbs don't require a warm up time, they contain no mercury and many of them can be used with dimmer switches. Your average LED bulb will last 20 years or more, even with constant use. They generate nearly no heat, making them easy to change. Finally, they don't contain mercury, which all fluorescent bulbs do.
While the initial cost with LED lamps is higher, the overall cost will be significantly lower. Consider starting small, with a hard to reach fixture - it won't be long before you join the movement to safer, more environmentally sound lighting choices.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
LED Lighting - A Bright Idea
My wife and I have lived in this neighbourhood for almost twenty years. We were a young couple when we first moved in, our kids grew up in this house and our neighbours have been like family.
It's always been a safe neighbourhood without ever any instances of burglaries or even disturbances. However recently all that changed when our good friend and neighbour, Frances was attacked as she was putting out the bins one night.
Her husband was away at a golf-retreat with his buddies, when Frances was knocked on the head and robbed of a few measly possessions: none of which were very valuable to her.
Suffice to say the incident shook the neighbourhood and the culprits are yet to be apprehended.
It was then that we set up a neighbourhood watch we decided we needed to take more precaution. For some of us this meant locking the doors at night. For others, like myself, it meant getting some warning lights.
We were recommended to get some LED lighting installed around the perimeter of our house. We soon discovered there were a whole range of LED lights to choose from. Did we want the LED Spotlight or the LED super ultra bright 50,000 hour's energy efficient light bulbs? What a mouthful! We also knew that we needed to get energy efficient light bulbs so as not to waste energy.
There were so many models, makes, watts, shapes and sizes to choose form that we spent over an hour talking trying to learn about all the varieties on offer. Deciding that we were never going to learn all the ins and outs of LED lights, we kept it simple. We purchased a LED Flood light for our back garden along with a LED spotlight, which we installed near our front door. This ensured that along with the alarm system, if anyone was seen creeping around our house, they wouldn't be able to do so without being well illuminated.
It's always been a safe neighbourhood without ever any instances of burglaries or even disturbances. However recently all that changed when our good friend and neighbour, Frances was attacked as she was putting out the bins one night.
Her husband was away at a golf-retreat with his buddies, when Frances was knocked on the head and robbed of a few measly possessions: none of which were very valuable to her.
Suffice to say the incident shook the neighbourhood and the culprits are yet to be apprehended.
It was then that we set up a neighbourhood watch we decided we needed to take more precaution. For some of us this meant locking the doors at night. For others, like myself, it meant getting some warning lights.
We were recommended to get some LED lighting installed around the perimeter of our house. We soon discovered there were a whole range of LED lights to choose from. Did we want the LED Spotlight or the LED super ultra bright 50,000 hour's energy efficient light bulbs? What a mouthful! We also knew that we needed to get energy efficient light bulbs so as not to waste energy.
There were so many models, makes, watts, shapes and sizes to choose form that we spent over an hour talking trying to learn about all the varieties on offer. Deciding that we were never going to learn all the ins and outs of LED lights, we kept it simple. We purchased a LED Flood light for our back garden along with a LED spotlight, which we installed near our front door. This ensured that along with the alarm system, if anyone was seen creeping around our house, they wouldn't be able to do so without being well illuminated.
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