Re Xenon life - Saab 9-5 Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Re Xenon life
Posted by Stephen Goldberger (more from Stephen Goldberger) on Sat, 30 Aug 2003 08:28:15
In Reply to: Xenons or halogens?, Greg W, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:32:28
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They are "xenon gas electric arc discharge" lights. The bulb contains xenon gas, with two electrodes. On startup, the electronics send a zillion volt discharge across the electrodes, which creates a path of ionized gas. After that, something like 80 volts are required to maintain the ionization (and its accompanying light.) All the voltage is controlled by the accompanying electronics module.
As you can see (and can see quite well with those bright lights shining) there is no filament to burn out, and the ionized gas never gets "tired", it just un-ionizes once the power stops. Eventually, I suppose, the electrodes erode to the point where they disappear. Anyway, the bulbs are "rated" for 3000 hours, versus something like 800 hours for a typical halogen headlight bulb. Clearly the bulbs should be a "life of the car" item if you shut down the DRLs, and maybe a "change once" if you keep the DRLs (and the car).
posted by 24.166.84...
Posts in this Thread:
- headlights - does your car go through them fast?, trudy, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 12:30:30
- check the alternator to see if overcharging....., Liam S., Fri, 29 Aug 2003 09:59:53
- Reprogram Lights, E, Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:50:19
- Re: headlights - does your car go through them fast?, Stacey, Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:15:54
- Be sure not to touch the glass bulb when you switch . ., Robp, Thu, 28 Aug 2003 07:18:46
- Re: headlights - does your car go through them fast?, David, Thu, 28 Aug 2003 05:36:42
- Xenons or halogens?, Greg W, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:32:28
- Re: headlights - yes fast burning, jogo, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 14:58:00
- Aero comes close, but I'm always just behind them..., bRAD, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 13:00:49
- Re: headlights - does your car go through them fast?, Skip, Wed, 27 Aug 2003 12:33:16
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