October 2018 | VehicleServicePros.com 23
Incandescent – this electric light features a wire
fi lament heated to a high enough temperature
that it glows with visible light. Th is lighting type
was once widely used, but is now the most dated
and ineffi cient lighting option.
Halogen – similar to an incandescent light,
halogen lights feature a wire fi lament that is
heated to produce light. A small amount of
halogen gas allows it to work at a much higher
temperature, increasing light output and
extending the life of the bulb. Halogen lights
last approximately three times longer than
incandescent bulbs, but are less effi cient than
HID and LED bulbs.
High-intensity discharge (HID) – HID bulbs are
enclosed tubes fi lled with gases, an electrode
at each end and an electric current passing
through to emit light. HIDs produce more light
than halogen lamps, and are more effi cient.
Light-emitting diode (LED) – LEDs are the
newest technology, and are now considered
standard by many OEMs and fl eets, Optronics’
Johnson says. LED lighting off ers the longest
life of any of the lighting options, and provides
illumination that most closely approximates the
color temperature of natural sunlight.
“Whatever your expectations are for performance,
durability and cost, there are lamps to
match,” says Greg Parman, national sales manager
at Maxxima. Maxxima is a manufacturer of
commercial vehicle LED lighting. “Incandescents
are in many cases the least expensive. LEDs tend
to last the longest and consume the least in terms
of electrical draw, and today are a much more
aff ordable choice.”
LEDs were fi rst introduced to commercial vehicle
lighting in the late 1980s. At that time, most
manufacturers and fl eets found LED lighting
cost prohibitive, and that prevented initial widespread
adoption. However, as the cost of LEDs has
decreased, more OEMs and fl eets have adopted
this lighting technology, and today LED lighting
has become standard in many applications.
“LED technology can oft en come at a higher
price point, but off ers dramatically improved
light output, lower current draw, exceptional
durability due to its solid-state design and a
signifi cantly longer lifespan over its traditional
lighting counterparts,” explains
Paul Sniegocki, chief technology offi cer
for Truck-Lite, a commercial vehicle and
trailer lighting manufacturer.
LED lamps require only about 10 to 30
percent of the current needed to operate
incandescent lamps. Th e reduced power consumption
of LEDs enables vehicle designers and end
users to repurpose the excess power for things
like computers and other equipment.
“LED lighting has exponentially increased the
operational effi ciency of today’s commercial vehicles,”
Optronics’ Johnson says. “We’re talking about
product lifespan increases of between 50 to 100
times those of incandescent lamps – it’s an astonishing
advancement.”
Vehicle lighting maintenance
Wherever there is an electrical connection,
maintenance personnel should watch for signs of
moisture and corrosion, Maxxima’s Parman says.
Th is is especially important for exterior lighting,
which is subjected to harsh road conditions, salt
and road spray.
“Given the rigors of the commercial vehicle environment,
Truck-Lite recommends using sealed,
locking connectors treated with corrosion-preventative
compound to ensure a completely sealed
connection, especially in applications that are
directly exposed to road spray,” Sniegocki says.
Full encapsulation of the electronics helps
enhance the performance of LED lighting and
protects against corrosive environments.
Commercial vehicles function in a wide variety
of environments, and the amount of maintenance
needed to keep exterior lights functioning correctly
will vary depending on the geography, climate
and road conditions.
“A warm and moist climate is going to cause
a vehicle to age and corrode quicker than one
in a cool, dry climate,” Optronics’ Johnson says.
“Rough highways also negatively impact the
lifespan of a vehicle’s electrical system by causing
wiring and harness systems to fl ex incessantly.”
Vehicle lamps usually fail at their electrical
connection, Johnson explains. Cutting corners
by not replacing worn components when needed
can mean a dramatic decrease in the lifespan of
the vehicle’s lighting and electrical system.
Optronics recommends taking the following steps
to identify and prevent lighting system failures:
Start corrosion prevention early. Examine
each vehicle’s lighting system, particularly in
high-moisture and impact-prone areas, such
as above the tires, to identify any unprotected
wiring or connectors. Vulnerable aspects of the
system should be augmented with protective
coverings such as boots, plastic looms, mold-
» It is important that fleets inspect their vehicle
lights at regular maintenance intervals to ensure
they remain compliant with safety regulations.
Photo courtesy of iStock
» (Left and below) Competitively priced
LED lamps are still more expensive than
incandescents; however, Optronics’ ONE Series
single-diode lamps cost about twice as much as
an incandescent lamp, but last 50 times longer.
Photo courtesy of Optronics
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