Truck-Lite makes the world’s first LED headlamp for military

McELHATTAN - Truck-Lite's new LED headlamps are showing bright possibilities for the U.S. military.

Now being used on several military vehicles in the Iraqi theater, the 7-inch round white LED headlamps have been undergoing testing and entering service since July 2007.

And Friday, TACOM awarded Truck-Lite, which has a plant in McElhattan, a contract to retrofit their vehicle with 250,000 LED headlamps over the next three years.

Local officials reported that the headlamps will not be manufactured at the McElhattan operations, but the Clinton County facility will serve as a distribution center.

The lamps are drawing rave reviews.

At the Army Cold Regions Test Center near Fairbanks, Alaska, technicians rigorously tested the LED headlamps and reported on their effectiveness.

"The Truck-Lite LEDs we've tested are much easier on the eyes," wrote one evaluator.

"Despite their brightness," commented another, "they should last through the 20 to 30 year lifetime of military vehicles."

Another wrote, "The LED headlights provide daylight clarity on the spruce trees up here. Every needle stood out, unlike the incandescent lamps that glowed like mere candles in comparison."

"They tend to penetrate blowing snow so you can see better instead of looking through a huge fog," added another technician. "It takes a little getting used to. There's no soft glow. The light is white and it's crisp."

The 7-inch round white LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps meet or exceed all applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and all federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The new headlamps can replace any standard 7-inch round headlight in a 24-volt application and can be aimed with standard equipment.

"Truck-Lite was the world's first company to bring LED technology to forward lighting and we're committed to continue our lead in innovative military solutions that withstand the most rugged terrain and remain dependable for our troops in critical times of need," said Jacques Baudeloque, Truck-Lite's military sales director. "We pride ourselves on being the first to market in our industry with cutting-edge military applications that meet the highest quality standards. Truck-Lite's strong history in the commercial vehicle market has brought us to the forefront of innovative robust technology."

Each headlamp uses 10 LEDs as its light source. The LED light output is brighter and closer to sun light than traditional glass beam headlights. Crisper, whiter light is noticeable, more than with even the brightest halogen sealed or bulb-replaceable lamps available today. While a typical headlamp may be rated to last 400 hours, Truck-Lite LED headlamps are expected to last more than 50 times longer.

The LED technology used will offer improved visibility over conventional incandescent, as the color temperature of the assembly is around 5,000 degrees K, far closer to white light than incandescent or halogen lamps.

The 7-inch round LED headlamps run on 24-volt electrical systems. These solid state headlamps feature potted circuit board assemblies for unrivaled shock and vibration resistance and polycarbonate lenses that have 30 times more impact strength than glass.

The new headlamps resist voltage spikes to 600 volts. Current draw is only 1.4 amps on high beam and 0.6 amps on low beam, or about 60 percent lower than incandescent lamps. This is important in extreme cold operations. The headlamp operates at temperatures from -50 degrees C (-58 degrees F) to +70 degrees C (+158 degrees F).

The LED headlamps have also undergone hot weather testing in Panama and near Carson City, Nev., with exceptional results.

Truck-Lite Co. Inc. is headquartered in Falconer, N.Y., with other manufacturing facilities in McElhattan, Wellsboro and Coudersport, as well as Birmingham and Harlow, England, and sites around the world.

Truck-Lite is a major producer of signal lighting, forward lighting, wiring harnesses, mirrors, turn signal switches, and safety accessories to the heavy duty truck, trailer and commercial vehicle industries.