LED Lights - Galls

LED Lights

An introduction to the latest in warning light technology:
LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Lights have been used as a method of warning for thousands of years. From one of the seven wonders of the world, the lighthouse of Alexandria, to the beacons on top of tall buildings and towers, light has alerted people to danger for eons.

Above cruiser packs a lot of warning power with a full-size lightbar, directional lights and deck lights – you can too because LEDs have a sleek design that won't impair driver's view and have an extremely low amp draw

Lights, or more specifically, warning lights are a vital part of every public safety professional’s job, regardless of whether you are a law enforcement officer, firefighter or an EMT. When you need to get somewhere quickly, warn people of imminent danger or help prevent or end a dangerous situation, those bright, flashing lights identify your vehicle and direct traffic out of your way.

With this in mind, if you’re using halogen or strobe to handle the job of traffic routing or if you’re replacing an older unit, you may want to trade up to an LED warning light system.

There are many reasons why you may want to re-evaluate your warning lights. We’ll be going through those reasons throughout this course.

Here is one excellent reason that was cited by Monrovia California Chief of Police Joe Santoro. Chief Santoro reported that in 1997 more than 15,000 accidents with emergency vehicles responding to emergency calls occurred in the United States. These accidents resulted in 8,000 injuries, 500 fatalities and millions of dollars in liability claims and vehicle repairs.¹

How can you prevent yourself, your municipality and others from being part of this frightening statistic? Brilliant, powerful warning lights using LED technology.

Why?

It is estimated that more than 90% of the sensory input to a motor vehicle driver is obtained visually.²
Warning lights harness this fact and put a powerhouse of safety on your vehicle.

LEDs are the latest breakthrough in warning light technology. They’re extremely bright and extremely efficient.

LED warning lights are usually clear when off, because they don't need filters to color their light

The nifty thing about LEDs is that an LED unit has a concentrated beam of light. Each LED is an electrical diode producing light. On any given lightbar, dashlight, visor light or other light, there are hundreds of diodes on each unit each producing light.

Unlike strobe or halogen, there are no “blank” areas or “holes” without light – LED diodes cover the entire array. And because LEDs are solid state (no moving parts) there is virtually no operational sound and no moving parts to break. No whirring rotors, whining power supplies or other annoying noises, and if one LED goes out (and each diode has a lifespan of 100,000 hours), your warning light power is not compromised at all.

Besides the benefit of intense light, LEDs are an extremely efficient method of lighting. Your vehicle’s electrical system is overburdened, and most of that burden is being drawn by your warning lights. However, with LEDs, the extraordinarily low amp draw is roughly 70% lower than conventional warning lights – reducing the amp draw on your vehicle’s alternator.

Check out the sleek, slender aerodynamic midsection of this full-size lightbar

LEDs also have a unique concealment aspect. Because LEDs are small, they offer interesting design opportunities when used in a warning light system. They can be designed to be sleek, stealthy and aerodynamic. When designed as such, they’ll save you and your department money in fuel costs, can be used at high speeds with minimal wind noise and, when not in use, are extremely low-profile – especially when used in highway applications.

LEDs are a bright, effective warning light that can help you save lives and save your own life when it comes to responding to a call.

¹ http://nctn.hq.nasa.gov/innovation/innovation_91/at-warning.html
² htttp://www.medicalpriority.com/medical/articles/warningsystems1.htm

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