Halogen car bulbs for Auto

Halogen bulbs: advantages, operation features

Halogen bulbs are the most widely spread light source used in the headlamps of modern vehicles. They are designed for illuminating the road and its sides as well as for detecting vehicles on the road.

Operating principle

The operating principle of the device is based on the capability of a tungsten filament to incandesce when electric current passes through it. In order to protect it from mechanical damage as well as from oxidation due to being exposed to the environment, the filament is placed inside a glass bulb. The latter is filled with halogen gases – bromine or iodine. This allows to extend the service life of the lamp: evaporated tungsten atoms combine with halogens and are deposited not on the bulb wall but back on the filament. Therefore, the bulb remains clear for a longer time, and the filament – undamaged.

Advantages of halogen bulbs

• longer service life;
• low price;
• compact size;
• more intense light.

Halogen bulbs in automotive lighting

These parts are not only used in high and low beam headlights. They are also installed into fog lights, turn signals, position and brake lights.

Tips on how to choose, use and replace them

• An average lifespan of the component is 400-450 hours. However, there are items with extended service life. They might have special labels like LongLife or Ultra Life and can last for over 1,100 hours, so they are very popular with those drivers who use low beam lights as daytime running lights.
• Do not use lamps with a higher wattage than the one specified by the manufacturer. This might cause melting of plastic elements of the lamp.
• Opt for the products with the bulb made of quartz glass. It is much more resistant to temperature changes than conventional hard glass, which allows to prevent cracking as a result, for instance, of cold water getting on it from the puddle through the damaged lamp housing.
• Replace the bulbs in pairs. This will ensure the same light intensity of both lights.
• Do not touch bulbs with bare hands. Oily fingerprints on the glass quickly turn into soot deposits and cause local overheating and device failure. If you touch the bulb accidentally, wipe it with a lint-free cloth dampened with alcohol.

Malfunctions of halogen bulbs, their causes and symptoms

• Burning-out. It is caused by natural ageing of the filament and voltage changes. The malfunction becomes obvious because the lamps won’t switch on, and the corresponding dashboard warning light goes on.
• No contact. The circuit inside the lamp is broken, which leads to failure of the latter. If there is a contact but it isn’t steady, the lights might blink, flicker or go out from time to time.
• Bulb blackening. The symptom is a loss of light intensity. It is often caused by improper installation.

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Our specialists know what advantageous purchases are. Contact them and they’ll tell you, for instance, how to buy halogen bulbs of premium quality and spend as little money as possible. We are always ready to become your reliable partner.