LED Headlamps Meet DOT Requirements And Now On A Highway Near You

LED technology has been around for a while but it is only recently that they have reached the point where the output, beam pattern, and price are competitive with, or superior to traditional filament bulb lighting systems. Truck-Lite's 7-inch LED headlamps have passed the DOT requirements and are now available as replacements for 7-inch round, standard headlights in 24-volt applications. That pretty much means tractor trailer rigs. But Truck-Lite is currently testing their 12-volt versions and expect production to begin shortly.

July 2008, Falconer, New York - Truck-Lite's new 7" LED Headlamps are showing bright possibilities for the Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Market. As the first LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps in commercial production, they have entered service on a wide variety of military vehicles and have been operating in the Iraqi theater for almost a year.

Some final development work took place at the Army Cold Regions Test Center near Fairbanks, Alaska, where technicians rigorously tested the LED Headlamps and reported on their effectiveness. "The Truck-Lite LED headlamps we're testing are much easier on the eyes", wrote one evaluator. "Despite their brightness, they should last through the 20 to 30 year lifetime of military vehicles," wrote another, commenting that "The LED headlights provide daylight clarity. On the spruce trees up here, every needle stood out, unlike the incandescent lamps that glowed like mere candles in comparison."

The 7-in round white LED Headlamps meet or exceed all applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) pertaining to headlights. The new LED headlamps can replace any standard 7-inch round headlight within 24 volt applications. They can be aimed using standard mechanical aiming equipment.

"Creating the most advanced LED lighting solutions for our Heavy Duty Tractor, Body and other vehicle requirements is a fundamental part of our core LED business," stated John Howells, Truck-Lite's Vice President of Sales. "Advanced headlight design adds safety and value to vehicles, as well as the widest array of design and engineering possibilities, since the small size of LEDs enables them to be seamlessly integrated into even the most sophisticated tractor design."

Each headlamp uses ten LUXEON LEDs as its light source. The LED light output is brighter than traditional glass beam headlights, resulting in greater light projection. The LEDs in the headlamp produce a crisper, whiter light output than even the brightest halogen sealed or bulb-replaceable lamps available today. While a typical headlamp may be rated to last 400 hours, Truck-Lite LED Headlamps are expected to exceed that by as much as 50 times. The LUXEON technology used in Truck-Lite's Headlamps will offer improved visibility over conventional incandescent as the color temperature of the assembly is around 5000 degree K, far closer to the sun light than incandescent or halogen lamps.

The Truck-Lite LED headlamp uses the latest diode technology from Philips Lumileds. CEO, Michael Holt, stated "Truck-Lite has been the front-runner in heavy duty lighting product innovations by developing advanced solid-state systems and applying them to a headlamp application. We are very proud of the relationship we have built with Truck-Lite, as their LED supplier, and look forward to continued business ventures into the future."

The 7" round LED Headlamps feature potted circuit board assemblies for unrivaled shock and vibration resistance and polycarbonate lenses that have 30 times more impact strength than glass. The LED Headlamps have also undergone hot weather testing at military installations in Panama and near Carson City, Nevada with exceptional results!

"While initial production is limited to 24 volt," stated Brad VanRiper, Truck-Lite's Sr VP of R&D & Chief Technology Officer, "we are actively testing 12 volt 7" LED Headlamps and we expect them to go into production shortly."

Philips Lumileds Lighting Company is the world's leading manufacturer of high-power LEDs and a pioneer in the use of solid-state lighting solutions for everyday purposes. The company's LUXEON LEDs are enabling never before possible solutions for automotive lighting, general lighting, digital imaging, and display backlighting. Philips Lumileds is headquartered in San Jose, California and has operations around the world.