LED lights are slowly taking over the automotive industry

Just like your home, there are many benefits to LED

LED stands for light emitting diode, they are extremely small semiconductor diodes that are capable of creating light. LED lights work very similarly to standard lights except for the fact that LEDs are much smaller and contain no filament. Instead of a filament, an LED creates light using nothing but the movement of electricity along the path of its semiconductor. As the electrons stream across the semiconductor, they create electromagnetic radiation. Some forms of this electromagnetic radiation can take the form of light. Now that you have this information here is how it applies to the automotive world.

LED lights are becoming increasing popular these days on trucks. Gone are the days of putting the highest wattage sealed beam lamps you could find, often referred to as airplane landing lights, on your bumper or roll-bar to light up the night sky to enjoy some extended off-road driving hours. LED lights not only give you incredible light but they draw so little amperage. This is a real advantage over adding a second alternator or constantly having to jump start your dead battery. Off-road LED lights come in many different shapes and sizes. This helps with the many different sizes of grill openings or bumper light locations. Rigid industries are a pioneer in this new off-road light technology. They offer many different kinds of lights.  The dually light is a small 3” x 3” cube that has 1300 lumens of light that has the same output as a 50w light while only drawing 15 watts. A pair of these lights cost $219.00.

E-series lights are LED light bars that come in various lengths. The 4” E-series light is available in a flood or spot pattern that has an amp draw of 1.18 and a life span over 50,000 hours. Cost is $258.

The 6” E-series light is available in a flood, spot, or a combo. It also has a 50,000+ life span and draws 1.77 amps.

For some serious amount of light there are the 30”, 40” and 50” light bars that have an unbreakable

polycarbonate lens and are available in a spot, flood, or a combo. The 50” light bar gives off enough light to reach distances of 1497 meters. Theses price from $1099 to $1759. Now finding a place to mount them to your truck can pose a challenge. There are some mounting brackets that are universal and some vehicle specific brackets but generally you have to make some up. The front bumper usually is a great place to start. The OEMs are great for providing spots to mount their optional lights. You can also purchase bumper mounted light bars that can hold one long light bar or two smaller ones. Make sure the location you choose is not lower than the bumper or your expensive new lights may get knocked off your first trip out.  If you own a Jeep there are mounting brackets available to attach to your windshield pillar or just above the windshield.  Rigid now offers for 2014, curved lights that will fit across the top of the windshield and have mounting brackets for most trucks. Check out the entire line up of lights and brackets available at www.rigidindustries.com website.

Article written by: Ian Harwood - "The Truck Guy"

Corporate Sales and Operations Manager for Custom Truck Parts