There are several types of lamps used in motorized vehicles. One of them is a halogen lamp.
A halogen lamp is an incandescent lamp consisting of a tungsten filament filled with a mixture of an inert gas and a small amount of a halogen substance, such as iodine or bromine.
The combination of halogen gas and tungsten filament results in the chemical reaction of the halogen cycle, which can, increase the lifetime and maintain the clarity of the bulb.
This allows the filament to operate at a higher temperature than standard incandescent bulbs of the same power and lifetime.
This lamp is quite popularly used in motorized vehicles in addition to LED (Light Emitting Diode) and HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps. Of course, the choice of lamp type is influenced by several factors, including suitability for the field, efficiency, light intensity, and so on.
Many people like halogen light bulbs for their clear, sharp light that makes a room appear larger and gives the impression of extra bright color.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of halogen lamps? Here is the explanation:
Advantages of Halogen Lamps
1. Able to penetrate the fog
The use of halogen lamps is suitable for those of you who want to travel in foggy fields because their high light intensity can efficiently penetrate thick fog.
That is why halogen lamps are the most reliable choice in the use of adventurous car lights.
2. The price is cheaper
Unlike LED or HID lamps, halogen lamps are cheaper than other lamps. The maintenance also does not need to replace all components, only need to replace the bulb if the filament breaks.
LED lights Besides being more expensive, maintenance is also expensive, if damaged, we have to replace the entire box.
3. Not dazzling
Although it can penetrate fog, the light produced by halogen lamps is not as dazzling as LED lamps.
Dazzling lights are not very good for use on public roads, this is because they can interfere with other road users who pass by us on the road.
It could be that the use of LED lights on public roads can harm yourself or other road users. LED lamps are lamps made of semiconductor electronic devices and resistance.
Although it saves up to 6-7 times energy and does not generate excess heat, the light it produces is very blinding. Your lamp must also be equipped with a projector so that the light can focus.
4. Diverse uses
Halogen lamps are not only used for motorized vehicles such as cars. Halogen lamps are also used for outdoor lighting systems as well as for boat lighting and desk reading lamps.
The small and variable shape of the halogen bulb makes it an excellent choice for directing light into the corner of the beam. Dimmed halogen bulbs are excellent for homes and restaurants where a wide selection of light levels is required.
Halogen bulbs render colors so realistic they make an excellent source of lighting for retail stores, fashion, printing, and jewelry shows.
Disadvantages of Halogen Lamps
1. Hot
Halogen lamps are incandescent lamps that have a strong light intensity so that we can find types of halogen lamps used for lighting cars.
Unfortunately, in addition to the high light intensity, halogen lamps also produce excessive heat so that the lamp housing easily melts and becomes opaque.
Halogen lamps must operate at much higher temperatures than ordinary incandescent lamps to operate properly.
Their small size helps to concentrate heat on a smaller casing surface, closer to the filament than non-halogen incandescent bulbs. Due to the extremely high temperatures, halogen lamps can pose a fire hazard.
2. Security
Some safety recommendations require halogen bulbs to be protected by a grid especially for high power bulbs (1–2 kW) to prevent ignition of a fire when an object comes into contact with the lamp.
To reduce excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and to prevent hot bulb shards from exploding, halogen lamps usually have a UV-absorbing glass filter on top of or around the bulb. Alternatively, halogen bulbs can be coated to filter out UV radiation.
3. Wasteful
Not only heat, halogen lamps also require a very large amount of electricity, so they are not very efficient for batteries that have small storage capacities. A halogen lamp can consume up to 55-100 watts.
HID lamps only require 35 Watts of power and can produce a brighter flame than halogen lamps. There are many color variants that you can choose from yellow, blue, white, and red.
It’s just that the unit price of HID lamps is more expensive than halogen lamps, and requires ballast. In addition to being expensive, the light cannot be directly bright.
4. Filaments break easily
The use of halogen lamps also has drawbacks in terms of maintenance which is quite difficult. This is because the filament that is useful for lighting the lamp will break faster than other types of lamp filaments such as LED lamps.
So that the replacement of damaged components can make you get a bigger bill and is also not suitable for those of you who like lamps with practical maintenance.
Replacement components must also be up to standard so you need a technician with special skills.