Xenon or LED: which lamps are better?

Xenon or LED bulbs? This question will always be controversial among connoisseurs of automotive optics. Both xenon and LED have gained confidence due to their undeniable advantages. Xenon lamps appeared much earlier than LED ones, but nevertheless they are a good competitor in the market.

The technologies of these two types of lamps work differently, they differ from each other in the device, so it is not correct to compare them directly. To begin with, we will consider the principle of operation of xenon and LED lamps, the main advantages, weaknesses, and compare them in terms of the main parameters for car owners.

LED autolamps are considered to be light sources that are equipped with energy-saving components with high efficiency and long service life. The principle of operation of such a light bulb consists in a number of transformations in order to ensure the glow of the emitters included in its composition. When supplying voltage to the base, it first goes to the driver, which drives the same voltage to an acceptable form for LED lamps.

First, an alternating voltage is applied to the diode bridge, where it is partially rectified. Then to the electrolytic container, which is designed to smooth out ripples. Further, the fully rectified voltage is supplied to the controller that controls the operation of the LED lamp. From the electronic module, it goes directly to the LEDs through a pulse transformer.

LED car lamps are suitable for stops, low and high beams, turns, trunk lights, interior lights, and even dashboard lights. Each of the lighting zones has its own characteristic features in the selection of lamps, including the base, overall dimensions, glow brightness, glow temperature, mains voltage.

Xenon lamps are gas-discharge light sources that provide high luminous flux, which guarantees safety for drivers on the road at night and in bad weather conditions. The lamps are a flask containing mercury vapor and a mixture of inert gases with a predominance of xenon.

There are also two electrodes in the flask, between which, with the help of the ignition unit, namely the supply of a powerful pulse under a voltage of 25000 V, an electric arc, an electromagnetic field is formed. Activation of xenon gas combustion is provided due to the ionization of gas molecules and their movement. After the ignition unit has provided a current supply at high voltage and the lamp glow has been activated, a constant supply of current is necessary, which maintains combustion. This is the basic working principle of the xenon light source, which will allow you to get high visibility in different operating conditions.

Durability. The service life of LED optics reaches 50 hours of continuous operation: such lamps do not burn out. For those who do not spend too much time on the road at night, these lamps will last for three years.

The service life of a xenon lamp with proper operation and performance of the equipment is at least 2000 hours.

emitted light. LED lamps, unlike xenon and bi-xenon ones, reproduce a larger luminous flux and give out more directional light, while not blinding oncoming cars. LED optics produce bright white light up to 3500 Lumens. As a rule, most often lamps with a color temperature of 5-6 thousand Kelvin (white or white with a blue tint) are installed in the headlights.

Xenon lamps can have a color temperature in a wide range from 4-12 thousand Kelvin. In terms of quality, their glow is close to daylight and is comfortably perceived by a person. In terms of brightness, of course, xenon wins.

Energy Efficiency. When operating, LEDs consume a small amount of energy. It is efficiency that is one of the main advantages of LED lamps - they do not cause excessive fuel consumption and do not overload the on-board network. The efficiency of LEDs reaches 80% - this is more than any other light source. As a result, LED lamps have more energy savings than xenon lighting sources.

Another disadvantage of xenon lamps: they require ignition blocks for their operation: one lamp - one block (LED light does not require them).

quality. LED optics work without a tungsten filament, which can break with regular vibrations. The LEDs withstand vibration well and work reliably when driving on rough roads. For additional reliability, they are surrounded by a transparent epoxy resin sealant.

Headlights with xenon lamps have proven to be safe on the road. In the event of a breakdown, xenon headlights do not turn off instantly, but continue to shine for a while. This gives the driver time to safely pull over in the dark. If the power system fails, the battery of the ignition unit will automatically turn off and protect the lamps from burnout during a power surge

Heat dissipation. Xenon lamps practically do not heat up, while LED lamps can get very hot and require a good cooling system. Therefore, cheap LEDs with poor cooling usually do not last very long.

Although the LED itself practically does not heat up, the design of the lamp, and especially the board on which the diodes are installed, generates a lot of heat. Excessive heat shortens the life of the optics, which is why it is extremely important that the lamps have good heat dissipation;

Compactness. The small size of LED light sources allows you to create with their help more advanced, improved optics.

Environmentally friendly. LEDs do not contain environmentally harmful substances such as mercury. They do not emit UV or IR radiation and can be recycled at the end of their service life.

If you decide to install xenon headlights on your car, then you should know that it is best to replace the equipment at a service station. Installation of xenon or bi-xenon modules has many nuances, since complex equipment is used during installation. For example, ignition units, which most often do not fit into the headlight and require mounting from the outside.

In fact, dismantling and installing new xenon lamps will not take you much time if you are an experienced mechanic. To carry out such a manipulation, you need to have a full set of tools and the necessary equipment, as well as special knowledge.

After all, the design of most brands and models of vehicles before dismantling and replacing optics involves removing the bumper (front). Another important condition for the change is that xenon lamps are changed in pairs - a prerequisite. It’s just that the light shades of lamps from different manufacturers differ significantly from each other.

As already mentioned, with LED lamps, everything is much simpler: just unscrew the old lamp and screw in a new one. LED light sources do not require additional equipment, do not load the on-board network, and accordingly, there is no need to modify the headlights.

Over the past few years, LED lamps have been in great demand among car drivers. They have long ceased to be an element of decor or a simple lighting in the cabin. For a long time they have been used as a source of illumination in the rear running lights, and also in the dipped and main beam headlights (moreover, very successfully).

The service life of LED lamps is certainly longer, LEDs will be able to function for the entire life of the car (ideally). However, factory defects are common, so such optics can also fail. And most often it is not the LEDs themselves that fail, but the board from which they work. Due to the design features of LED headlights, it is often impractical to repair them. If the LED optics is subject to repair, then it will cost a lot of money.

With regards to xenon, after several years of use, they begin to fade, which affects the brightness of the lighting. As a result, you will have to purchase two new lamps, which are also not cheap.

From the point of view of the development of automotive optics, over time, LED optics will completely replace both halogen and xenon light sources. At the moment, LED headlights are constantly improving. What xenon, what LED headlights has its pros and cons. Which ones to install - it's up to you to choose, based on your own needs.