Peterson outlines advantages of LED headlights
Lighting supplier Peterson Europe has provided its take on the reasons for the increasing popularity of LED headlights.
“Halogen headlights were the standard for the auto industry for years because they were cheap to manufacture and simple to replace, but now LEDs are outshining them,” said David East, managing director of Peterson Europe.
“Halogens are incandescent lights that have a tungsten filament inside a bulb. When an electric current passes through the filament, it heats up and generates light. They differ from regular incandescent bulbs in that they have a dose of halogen gas instead of argon gas.
“The halogen prevents the build-up of soot on the inside of the bulb, which combined with operating at higher temperatures makes them brighter than regular incandescent bulbs. They also tend to last longer.
“With LEDs, an electric current passes through a semiconductor (or diode) producing a brighter white light than traditional halogens (which are typically yellowish) and generating less heat.
“LEDs operate approximately 90 per cent more efficiently than incandescent bulbs, and because they generate less heat, they last much longer than other types of lights (30,000 hour projected life expectancy), and LEDs are unlikely to burn out like incandescent bulbs.”
LED light also casts a larger pattern of light onto the road surface, says David, which has the effect of minimising shadows and lowering eye strain, which in turn increases efficiency and improves levels of safety by reducing driver fatigue.
“As such, many OEMs, body builders and fleet operators are making the switch to LED headlights.
“Working closely in partnership with customers, supplying premium quality lighting solutions and solving problems, are all reasons why Peterson Europe is a leading lighting supplier in many different market sectors,” David added.
“Furthermore, providing superior customer service is key to Peterson Europe’s ongoing success.”
Peterson Europe has been working closely with Go Coach Hire, Kent’s largest independent bus operation. Based in Sevenoaks, Go Coach operates a fleet of 55 vehicles. Having developed an extensive network of both school and public routes, Austin Blackburn, Go Coach’s founder and managing director emphasises the importance of vehicles that are both safe and reliable.
A recent project at Go Coach was to replace the original halogen lights with Peterson’s 90mm LED headlamps to the fleet. This change-out took less than 30 minutes per pair. Key features are said to include a brighter and more defined beam pattern that exceeds current regulations, improved light quality (white rather than yellow), and ‘fit-and-forget’ quality.
The changeover has not only increased safety and reliability, reports Peterson, but drivers have noted an immediate improvement in comfort and reduced eye-fatigue.
Austin Blackburn said: “Our collaboration has already achieved great results. What price can be placed on safety and reliability? The products Peterson supplies are both premium quality and fantastic value for money. It is all about the long-term relationship.
“The first replacement 90mm LED headlights were retrofitted more than twelve months ago and there have been no issues so far, quite the opposite, only improvements.”
Peterson’s David East added: “We take great pride in working with Go Coach to ensure their fleet operates to an optimum level.
“With our focus on being a solutions provider, we go above and beyond just supplying products. Peterson Europe’s and Peterson Manufacturing’s combined 85+ years industry experience and technical expertise enables us to advise, and problem solve, which is all part of our high levels of customer service.”
