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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Choosing Xenon or Halogen: The Differences of Headlamp Bulbs

By Ethan Melandri

Technology presents us with a number of different options, even when it comes to vehicles and their headlight bulbs. Most vehicles are fitted with halogen light bulbs, which may seem quite bright on a dark evening. However, there is something better out there, and your vehicle with halogen bulbs does not need to be modified to fit these other bulbs. Xenon light bulbs emit about 90 percent more light than a halogen bulb. What is more is that they are road legal.

A Short History on Headlight Bulbs

In order to understand the technology of xenon headlight bulbs it may be necessary to learn a little history about light bulbs. The first headlight bulb was developed as an incandescent light. Car manufacturers creating light bulbs made them a halogen bulb called the H1 in the 1960s.

The creation of the bulb requires an airtight glass which is filled with a halogen mixture. Halogen burned brighter than their predecessors. To improve the lights further, the car manufacturers modified the filament. The filament is the metal wire coil in the centre of the light bulb. The filament allowed a higher beam intensity, which made more light. This light could extend further from the car than incandescent light bulbs.

Car manufacturers creating these lights were still not satisfied with their creations, as soon as technology was found to offer something more. These factories began working with xenon gas. Xenon burns at a higher degree than regular halogen. So the creators placed xenon gas into the airtight bulb giving it pressure. The result was a cleaner and clearer light, which is a direct contrast to the dull yellow of halogen.

A redesign of the metal filament coil, combined with precision, different construction, and materials have made the xenon bulbs better. This is due to the light projected from the headlight onto the road in front of the driver. The beam is up to 35 metres further than halogen.

Halogen to Be Replaced by Xenon

Xenon light bulbs look a lot like the halogen bulbs, due to the glass and construction of the xenon. Therefore, anyone who wants to upgrade their headlights can just replace the halogen with a xenon bulb without modification. It is an instant change from yellow light to bright white.

Xenon light bulbs will fit in the bulb holders and use the same connectors as halogen. They do not require a higher voltage or wattage modification. You can replace the halogen safely because you do not have to cut wires or change the car. The best part is that xenon is legal in the UK and Europe.

By using xenon light bulbs you are able to increase the distance and what you can view while driving at night. It makes travelling on the roads secure and less apprehensive because you can spot potential dangers quicker and react with more fluidity. As you can tell, when it comes to a comparison of the two bulbs there really is no question that xenon is better. - 21392

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