It feels like it’s only been within the last few years that LED lights have become widely popular, but they were invented way back in 1962. Scientist Nick Holonyak was actually trying to make a laser, but instead managed to make a red semi-conductor light up, which initiated the birth of the primitive LED light.
Since then, LED, or light emitting diodes, have become much more widespread and a lot more sophisticated. They have grown beyond home applications and now expand into a multitude of uses. They have even surpassed the humble incandescent light bulb and halogen bulb to make up around 61% of the global market. There’s no sign of them stopping there.
LED Lighting Continues to be Popular
One of the reasons LEDs have become so popular is that they use about 85% less energy than the traditional halogen bulbs we normally find on a car. Despite being less energy-draining, they are brighter, more robust and usually cheaper. All bonuses when it comes to vehicle design, but it’s also pertinent when they’re added afterwards via LED light kits or aftermarket conversions.
LEDs now play a part in keeping us safe on the road and, if not already installed when you buy a car, they can be incorporated onto your vehicle in a multitude of ways. How? Let’s take a look.
You might think LEDs can only make their impact via headlights, and whilst that’s a good place to start, it’s not their only application. Whilst they may be more expensive initially, LED headlights are around 90% more efficient than a traditional bulb. They last much longer because they generate much less heat, as such, the initial cost is repaid over time so they will work out cheaper in the long run.
LED Lighting Saves Energy
Not only are they more efficient, they’re smaller, which opens up a world of options if you’re wanting to utilize LEDs on your car. So, if you’re happy to change your headlight bulbs for LEDs, then why stop there; go big (or rather small) and add them in as brake lights, indicators and fog lights before putting them on the roof, under the car and along the pillars. The car world becomes your illuminated oyster.
Your creativity doesn’t just have to stop with LED placement, you can also experiment with colors. The traditional bulb can’t replicate the variety of colors that are offered by LEDs. Some of them can change depending on the speed you’re going. These color-changing LEDs, known as RGB (which stands for Red, Green, Blue), change color depending on the amount of voltage passing through. In the UK though, there are rules about what color headlights, indicators and brake lights have to be, but that shouldn’t stop you from utilizing them elsewhere on the car.
Because of their availability, functionality and versatility, LED lights can be added to a car in areas that traditional bulbs simply can’t. Want to add some underbody lights, strips or tubes, then you can! Cars are often pretty similar, so using LEDs as a way to personalize your car really allows you to show your unique style, personality and creativity to the world.
Of course, it’s at night when lights, and in particularly LED lights, come into their own. Imagine driving when the sun’s gone down and instead of just the boring old head and rear lights being turned on, you can illuminate the underside of the car to give an ethereal glow as you drive along. It will look incredible to other road users but think how amazing it will look when seen from afar or out in the country.
LED Mechanic Work Lights
Mechanic work lights are essential for the mechanical work of your car or garage. A good quality work light may help you do your job in the driveway, garage, or home, especially in low-light conditions. These underhood or automotive work lights help to light up your engine bay or other close-fitting spaces.
LED Lighting Has Technical Benefits Too
There are a number of technical benefits in installing LED lights too. They are more energy efficient and power up to full brightness almost instantly, unlike HID and halogen bulbs. This is especially important should you need to brake quickly. The split second that the driver behind you gets by seeing your brake lights illuminate instantly might be the difference between having an accident and not. Because of the reduced heat output, they are safer too.
Before you let your imagination run wild and start covering the car with LED lights, it’s worth pointing out that there are some laws that mean you can’t turn your car into a disco on wheels. There is actually some legislation that governs this called the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989. This includes the limits on the color of the lights you can use; no blue, red or green lights (except for rear lights) if it’s not an emergency vehicle. You can’t have them flashing or strobing either as it can distract other road users.
No-one with any taste is going to kit out their car with a gazillion lights and make it look so obnoxious. LED lights are expensive, at least initially, so the price will likely keep your car looking more stylish, but they do offer a unique way to personalize a vehicle.
LEDs most definitely come under the ‘less is more’ banner, so have some fun with it, keep it legal and you really will have a car worth looking at.