Life is Good With Traffic Lights
Dilip Dahanukar asked:
The red traffic light is the simplest of instruction in our life. As soon as you see it, the body reacts automatically. There are many types of traffic lights to guide cars and pedestrians on the road. But can you find such signals within you to guide you through the journey of life? It’s a feel-good article.
I was speeding towards a crossing trying to beat the green traffic light. But the lights changed and the red light stared at my face. I slammed the breaks and stopped the car. A fast car sped from left to right. If I had not stopped, I would have surely been hit by that car. My heart raced. Fortunately there was no other car at the back to hit me from behind as I came abruptly to a halt. As I regained my composure, I reflected on the event. I thanked the red light for stopping me just in time.
What would the World be like without the red light? It would be in complete chaos. The simple invention has brought so much order and safety to the civilized World! I decided to probe the internet for the origin and history of the humble traffic light.
I found that the traffic lights were an invention of a Railway engineer JP Knight who first fitted his red/green gas-light traffic signal at the top of Parliament Square in London as far back as in 1868! In the US of A, William Potts, a police officer in Detroit put up the first electric traffic lights in 1920! And it was 12 years later in 1932 that London got its first set of modern traffic lights.
The traffic lights were meant to allow right of way to the vehicular traffic alternately to different directions. The simple system gave a cue to the drivers when to stop and when to proceed. But in places where the traffic was heavy, the pedestrians found it difficult to cross. The crossing paths across road junctions were painted in black and white stripes for the pedestrians to walk. On this strip, called the Zebra Crossing, the vehicles had to stop to give right of way to the walkers. But where the pedestrians were numerous they had a time slot of their own with “Walk” / “Don’t Walk” lights at pedestrian crossings
Soon there were many innovations for the pedestrian crossing signals. In England, they were known after the names of birds! Where the pedestrians were infrequent they could activate the “Walk” sign by pressing a button. This was named a “Pelican” crossing for the lights mounted on the opposite side of the road and “Puffin” crossing where the lights were mounted on the same side of the road. To facilitate cyclists along with pedestrians, a “Toucan” crossing was introduced. The horse riders were also not left behind; they had the facility of the “Pegasus” crossing which had a button placed high up on a pole for the rider to press!
Sometimes when there not a single car anywhere in sight, the red light seems like a tyrant bullying you to wait for no reason. Should we become slaves of such idiot machines? But this too is changing as the controllers of traffic lights are being programmed with sensors to make the green light come on faster when there is a dearth of traffic. The lights give the drivers a false sense of security and they speed up their vehicles through the green light. This is dangerous on sparse traffic conditions as there may be a driver on the cross road who impatiently jumps the red light and causes an accident.
Traffic lights could be oppressive in crowded conditions as well. In very crowded areas like a hustling and bustling city centre, the traffic is always slow and the traffic lights are a real nuisance. The lights hinder traffic more than facilitate it. Traffic planners are realizing that it may be better to restore the traffic management to humans. In some traffic conditions the eye contact between the drivers and the pedestrians may be a better way of giving way to one another. This is proved in the Dutch town of Drachten where in 2004, the road signs and traffic lights were taken down as a part of ‘Naked Street’ experiment. Natural cautious negotiation between the motorists, cyclists and the walkers govern the streets and the number of accidents has reduced remarkably!
The new awakening has found its roots in England too! The council of Kensington and Chelsea was the first to remove traffic lights to forge modern ‘shared streetscapes’ where eye contact between motorists and simple common sense can do away with a ‘clutter’ of bollards and barriers, traffic lights, street signs, and speed cameras. The council has succeeded in turning the Exhibition Road into an open ‘naked street’ for cars and pedestrians by ‘decluttering’ of the Kensington High Street. They have pulled down the railings, removed the kerbs and signs. They have however added bicycle islands and mini-roundabouts. The result is vastly reduced accidents! It shows that there is a built in regulator within us.
But for most of the roads with moderate traffic and without many pedestrians, the traffic lights will reign for a long time to come. The red light tells you to stop. It is the simplest form of instruction. I wish there were many more red lights in other forms of human activity. I wish there was a red light to signal a stop to those who have had a drink too many!
Do you have a red light which shines when you are doing something wrong? If you open your heart and search for it, you may find the red light of your conscience to guide you! It is such a good feeling to find that there is a decision signal on the journey of our life! And to me the good old red and green lights are more than just traffic controllers. They help you to find more within you. They are a blessing in disguise for a warm and secure wellness of our being!
The red traffic light is the simplest of instruction in our life. As soon as you see it, the body reacts automatically. There are many types of traffic lights to guide cars and pedestrians on the road. But can you find such signals within you to guide you through the journey of life? It’s a feel-good article.
I was speeding towards a crossing trying to beat the green traffic light. But the lights changed and the red light stared at my face. I slammed the breaks and stopped the car. A fast car sped from left to right. If I had not stopped, I would have surely been hit by that car. My heart raced. Fortunately there was no other car at the back to hit me from behind as I came abruptly to a halt. As I regained my composure, I reflected on the event. I thanked the red light for stopping me just in time.
What would the World be like without the red light? It would be in complete chaos. The simple invention has brought so much order and safety to the civilized World! I decided to probe the internet for the origin and history of the humble traffic light.
I found that the traffic lights were an invention of a Railway engineer JP Knight who first fitted his red/green gas-light traffic signal at the top of Parliament Square in London as far back as in 1868! In the US of A, William Potts, a police officer in Detroit put up the first electric traffic lights in 1920! And it was 12 years later in 1932 that London got its first set of modern traffic lights.
The traffic lights were meant to allow right of way to the vehicular traffic alternately to different directions. The simple system gave a cue to the drivers when to stop and when to proceed. But in places where the traffic was heavy, the pedestrians found it difficult to cross. The crossing paths across road junctions were painted in black and white stripes for the pedestrians to walk. On this strip, called the Zebra Crossing, the vehicles had to stop to give right of way to the walkers. But where the pedestrians were numerous they had a time slot of their own with “Walk” / “Don’t Walk” lights at pedestrian crossings
Soon there were many innovations for the pedestrian crossing signals. In England, they were known after the names of birds! Where the pedestrians were infrequent they could activate the “Walk” sign by pressing a button. This was named a “Pelican” crossing for the lights mounted on the opposite side of the road and “Puffin” crossing where the lights were mounted on the same side of the road. To facilitate cyclists along with pedestrians, a “Toucan” crossing was introduced. The horse riders were also not left behind; they had the facility of the “Pegasus” crossing which had a button placed high up on a pole for the rider to press!
Sometimes when there not a single car anywhere in sight, the red light seems like a tyrant bullying you to wait for no reason. Should we become slaves of such idiot machines? But this too is changing as the controllers of traffic lights are being programmed with sensors to make the green light come on faster when there is a dearth of traffic. The lights give the drivers a false sense of security and they speed up their vehicles through the green light. This is dangerous on sparse traffic conditions as there may be a driver on the cross road who impatiently jumps the red light and causes an accident.
Traffic lights could be oppressive in crowded conditions as well. In very crowded areas like a hustling and bustling city centre, the traffic is always slow and the traffic lights are a real nuisance. The lights hinder traffic more than facilitate it. Traffic planners are realizing that it may be better to restore the traffic management to humans. In some traffic conditions the eye contact between the drivers and the pedestrians may be a better way of giving way to one another. This is proved in the Dutch town of Drachten where in 2004, the road signs and traffic lights were taken down as a part of ‘Naked Street’ experiment. Natural cautious negotiation between the motorists, cyclists and the walkers govern the streets and the number of accidents has reduced remarkably!
The new awakening has found its roots in England too! The council of Kensington and Chelsea was the first to remove traffic lights to forge modern ‘shared streetscapes’ where eye contact between motorists and simple common sense can do away with a ‘clutter’ of bollards and barriers, traffic lights, street signs, and speed cameras. The council has succeeded in turning the Exhibition Road into an open ‘naked street’ for cars and pedestrians by ‘decluttering’ of the Kensington High Street. They have pulled down the railings, removed the kerbs and signs. They have however added bicycle islands and mini-roundabouts. The result is vastly reduced accidents! It shows that there is a built in regulator within us.
But for most of the roads with moderate traffic and without many pedestrians, the traffic lights will reign for a long time to come. The red light tells you to stop. It is the simplest form of instruction. I wish there were many more red lights in other forms of human activity. I wish there was a red light to signal a stop to those who have had a drink too many!
Do you have a red light which shines when you are doing something wrong? If you open your heart and search for it, you may find the red light of your conscience to guide you! It is such a good feeling to find that there is a decision signal on the journey of our life! And to me the good old red and green lights are more than just traffic controllers. They help you to find more within you. They are a blessing in disguise for a warm and secure wellness of our being!
Led Dash Lights
Chris Dallman asked:
Light Emitting Diodes are one of the widely used diodes that not only are energy efficient, but are also very cost effective as they facilitate in saving money. LEDs’ are actually semiconductor devices that are being brought into play by simply connecting them in the circuits. Dash lights have become a trend and people want to have something unique in their vehicles. One can find a variety in the market in case of dash lights. These dash lights usually incorporate incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, but LED Dash Lights are also becoming popular as they have beneficial characteristics and give an excellent backdrop. In comparison to the new traditional dash lights, LED Dash Lights produce very less heat. This reduces the chances of breakage of any filament in the bulbs and so they last for longer duration.
LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights are being extensively used these days due to their valuable characteristics. There are wide varieties of dash lights from which people can choose the best ones that fit their requirement. These dash lights are windshield mounted with high outputs that are available in different colors like blue, amber, red and many others. The best part is that these Dash Lights are available at very reasonable prices.
Varieties of LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights are being used in the most of the vehicles including emergency and utility vehicle. There are numerous models available in the market from which people can choose the best suited. In case of law enforcement and other emergency vehicles these dash lights are preferred in red and blue colors, but other people can choose from the assortment of flash patterns and colors.
LED dash lights with 48 LEDs’ LED Dash Lights with 66 LEDs’ Single Head dash Light Dual LED Dash Light Extreme LED dash Light Extreme 12 LEDs’ dash light
Availability of LED Dash Lights
LED being the most excellent diodes that facilitate in saving money, LED Dash Lights are now obtainable at most of the outlets. Moreover, being presented at cheaper rates, these dash lights are in demand. One can even purchase these dash lights from the various manufacturers that are available on the net. The LED Dash Lights with various flash patterns can be chosen easily from these vendors.
Benefits of using LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights have the capacity to last longer and therefore one does not needs to replace the dash lights time and again. LED Dash Lights can operate for 100,000 hours without any rupture and come with a warranty period. As compared to halogen lights, LED Dash Lights can save more power and hence are very cheaper. Moreover, the carbon emissions from these LED Dash Lights are very less and so they are much safer than any normal dash lights. Some of the LED Dash Lights are available in various flash patterns. So, one can choose among the huge variety.
So, opt for LED Dash Lights for you car and vehicles.
Light Emitting Diodes are one of the widely used diodes that not only are energy efficient, but are also very cost effective as they facilitate in saving money. LEDs’ are actually semiconductor devices that are being brought into play by simply connecting them in the circuits. Dash lights have become a trend and people want to have something unique in their vehicles. One can find a variety in the market in case of dash lights. These dash lights usually incorporate incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, but LED Dash Lights are also becoming popular as they have beneficial characteristics and give an excellent backdrop. In comparison to the new traditional dash lights, LED Dash Lights produce very less heat. This reduces the chances of breakage of any filament in the bulbs and so they last for longer duration.
LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights are being extensively used these days due to their valuable characteristics. There are wide varieties of dash lights from which people can choose the best ones that fit their requirement. These dash lights are windshield mounted with high outputs that are available in different colors like blue, amber, red and many others. The best part is that these Dash Lights are available at very reasonable prices.
Varieties of LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights are being used in the most of the vehicles including emergency and utility vehicle. There are numerous models available in the market from which people can choose the best suited. In case of law enforcement and other emergency vehicles these dash lights are preferred in red and blue colors, but other people can choose from the assortment of flash patterns and colors.
LED dash lights with 48 LEDs’ LED Dash Lights with 66 LEDs’ Single Head dash Light Dual LED Dash Light Extreme LED dash Light Extreme 12 LEDs’ dash light
Availability of LED Dash Lights
LED being the most excellent diodes that facilitate in saving money, LED Dash Lights are now obtainable at most of the outlets. Moreover, being presented at cheaper rates, these dash lights are in demand. One can even purchase these dash lights from the various manufacturers that are available on the net. The LED Dash Lights with various flash patterns can be chosen easily from these vendors.
Benefits of using LED Dash Lights
LED Dash Lights have the capacity to last longer and therefore one does not needs to replace the dash lights time and again. LED Dash Lights can operate for 100,000 hours without any rupture and come with a warranty period. As compared to halogen lights, LED Dash Lights can save more power and hence are very cheaper. Moreover, the carbon emissions from these LED Dash Lights are very less and so they are much safer than any normal dash lights. Some of the LED Dash Lights are available in various flash patterns. So, one can choose among the huge variety.
So, opt for LED Dash Lights for you car and vehicles.
The Traffic Light Diet
MAIKEL WOOD asked:
The Traffic Light Diet relies on what may probably be the best-known color code around to teach the user which foods should be avoided and which should be consumed in greater proportions. This diet focuses on cutting down the amount of calories contained in the daily food, instead of carbohydrates. Nothing new here, for that matter; a lot of diets are based on low-calorie foods. The cabbage soup diet, the Cambridge diet or the Ann Collins 14-day Diet come to mind when discussing this issue.
According to the Traffic Light principle, the foods are split into three categories. Red Light foods are high-calorie foods which contain few nutrients and should be avoided. Yellow Light foods are high in calories, but also high in nutrients, which makes them good to have around in moderate quantities. Green Light foods, of course, have plenty of nutrients for only a low amount of calories.
The basic idea is to eat as much Green Light food as you like, eat some Yellow Light foods and only touch Red Light foods once in a while, when the urge becomes unbearable. The less Red Light foods you eat, the more successful your weight loss process is going to be. We all know that sticking to a diet is hard, but if you really want to lose weight, then there are ways of motivating yourself and going through the whole diet. Not to mention that Red Light foods are not banned outright, but accepted in small amounts. This means that, yes, it’s OK to have some cake once in a while.
The list of Green Light foods includes vegetables, fruits, fish (white meat only), seafood, yogurt and low-fat milk. Yellow Light foods are potatoes, cheese (the low-fat version), oily fish, lean meat, bread and cereals (high-fiber), pasta, rice, seeds, nuts, beans and poultry. Red Light foods are everything else. Buying the book describing the diet will get you some helpful 7-day eating plans grouped according to lifestyles and information on portion sizes for many of the foods listed in the three categories. There’s also a large section of answers to frequent questions, recipes and exercising advice.
The best thing about this diet is the fact that it’s easy to understand and also easy to follow. It’s not based on any kind of complex reasoning that requires the help of a trained professional every step of the way and it’s not based on foods that no store from your neighborhood has ever thought to market. If you manage to stick to the diet’s principles you can expect to lose at least 1 pound a week, which means that you will probably shed the actual fat and not the water stored in your body. Don’t overdo it, though, because trying for 2 pounds a week can prove to be a major health risk.
The Traffic Light Diet relies on what may probably be the best-known color code around to teach the user which foods should be avoided and which should be consumed in greater proportions. This diet focuses on cutting down the amount of calories contained in the daily food, instead of carbohydrates. Nothing new here, for that matter; a lot of diets are based on low-calorie foods. The cabbage soup diet, the Cambridge diet or the Ann Collins 14-day Diet come to mind when discussing this issue.
According to the Traffic Light principle, the foods are split into three categories. Red Light foods are high-calorie foods which contain few nutrients and should be avoided. Yellow Light foods are high in calories, but also high in nutrients, which makes them good to have around in moderate quantities. Green Light foods, of course, have plenty of nutrients for only a low amount of calories.
The basic idea is to eat as much Green Light food as you like, eat some Yellow Light foods and only touch Red Light foods once in a while, when the urge becomes unbearable. The less Red Light foods you eat, the more successful your weight loss process is going to be. We all know that sticking to a diet is hard, but if you really want to lose weight, then there are ways of motivating yourself and going through the whole diet. Not to mention that Red Light foods are not banned outright, but accepted in small amounts. This means that, yes, it’s OK to have some cake once in a while.
The list of Green Light foods includes vegetables, fruits, fish (white meat only), seafood, yogurt and low-fat milk. Yellow Light foods are potatoes, cheese (the low-fat version), oily fish, lean meat, bread and cereals (high-fiber), pasta, rice, seeds, nuts, beans and poultry. Red Light foods are everything else. Buying the book describing the diet will get you some helpful 7-day eating plans grouped according to lifestyles and information on portion sizes for many of the foods listed in the three categories. There’s also a large section of answers to frequent questions, recipes and exercising advice.
The best thing about this diet is the fact that it’s easy to understand and also easy to follow. It’s not based on any kind of complex reasoning that requires the help of a trained professional every step of the way and it’s not based on foods that no store from your neighborhood has ever thought to market. If you manage to stick to the diet’s principles you can expect to lose at least 1 pound a week, which means that you will probably shed the actual fat and not the water stored in your body. Don’t overdo it, though, because trying for 2 pounds a week can prove to be a major health risk.
LED Lanterns: A Home Emergency Kit Essential
Ben Anton asked:
Having a dependable light source that isn’t going to fail at a vital moment is essential, especially as inclement weather sets in this time of year. Winter emergencies can strike with little warning. It is therefore important that your home is prepared with the best lighting and survival tools possible. When it comes to a light source, it is important that it not only cast a strong light when you need it most but one that also has a variety of features to make sure that you’re never stranded in the dark during an emergency situation. Consider purchasing an LED emergency lantern which produces a strong white LED light at a fraction of the energy cost of traditional light bulbs.
What’s So Great about LED
An LED light like those available in emergency lanterns or flashlights are far superior to a standard incandescent flashlight. LED’s are not like traditional bulbs because they contain no glass casing or a filament. This means you don’t have to worry about the bulb breaking or the filament burning out at an inconvenient time. A white LED light will burn for years longer than a comparable white light bulb at a much lower energy cost. You may also find that manufactures will combine LED’s in a lantern or flashlight to produce a brighter light in the same amount of space as a standard bulb would be able to create. This is why you can find small LED flashlights that put out a great light than some larger traditional versions. Because multiple LED’s are used in these lights you are also generally able to use different light settings easily as well. The ability to dim an emergency lantern in the evening or at night at the push of a button is another great feature of a quality LED lantern.
What to Look For
There are a few key features you should make sure to pay attention to when you are purchasing your LED emergency lantern. Look for a lantern that is convertible between a “lantern” mode and a “flashlight” mode. Also look for one that utilizes multiple LEDs. Depending on the size of the lantern, 8-12 bulbs are recommended. A hand crank to provide emergency power in case the batteries are low is a wonderful feature as is a rechargeable battery pack. As mentioned above, the ability to adjust the light intensity either through different settings or a dimmer switch is a practical feature that can ensure that your lamp can be used for both emergency situations as well as general outdoor use.
Extra Bells and Whistles
As always, there are some additional LED lantern options and features out there that may prove useful to you. Some come with built-in radio systems for listening to news or weather reports. Others have emergency road flare settings which blink orange or red lights should you keep the lantern in your outdoor survival kit or camping gear. As always, check out product reviews online and read about other users’ experience with lanterns with these features to see if they prove useful or not.
Regardless of the brand or style of LED emergency lantern you choose, it is important that your home have one in its emergency tool kit. The value of having a dependable light source in any emergency situation is immeasurable when it comes to the safety and comfort of your home and family.
-Ben Anton, 2007
Having a dependable light source that isn’t going to fail at a vital moment is essential, especially as inclement weather sets in this time of year. Winter emergencies can strike with little warning. It is therefore important that your home is prepared with the best lighting and survival tools possible. When it comes to a light source, it is important that it not only cast a strong light when you need it most but one that also has a variety of features to make sure that you’re never stranded in the dark during an emergency situation. Consider purchasing an LED emergency lantern which produces a strong white LED light at a fraction of the energy cost of traditional light bulbs.
What’s So Great about LED
An LED light like those available in emergency lanterns or flashlights are far superior to a standard incandescent flashlight. LED’s are not like traditional bulbs because they contain no glass casing or a filament. This means you don’t have to worry about the bulb breaking or the filament burning out at an inconvenient time. A white LED light will burn for years longer than a comparable white light bulb at a much lower energy cost. You may also find that manufactures will combine LED’s in a lantern or flashlight to produce a brighter light in the same amount of space as a standard bulb would be able to create. This is why you can find small LED flashlights that put out a great light than some larger traditional versions. Because multiple LED’s are used in these lights you are also generally able to use different light settings easily as well. The ability to dim an emergency lantern in the evening or at night at the push of a button is another great feature of a quality LED lantern.
What to Look For
There are a few key features you should make sure to pay attention to when you are purchasing your LED emergency lantern. Look for a lantern that is convertible between a “lantern” mode and a “flashlight” mode. Also look for one that utilizes multiple LEDs. Depending on the size of the lantern, 8-12 bulbs are recommended. A hand crank to provide emergency power in case the batteries are low is a wonderful feature as is a rechargeable battery pack. As mentioned above, the ability to adjust the light intensity either through different settings or a dimmer switch is a practical feature that can ensure that your lamp can be used for both emergency situations as well as general outdoor use.
Extra Bells and Whistles
As always, there are some additional LED lantern options and features out there that may prove useful to you. Some come with built-in radio systems for listening to news or weather reports. Others have emergency road flare settings which blink orange or red lights should you keep the lantern in your outdoor survival kit or camping gear. As always, check out product reviews online and read about other users’ experience with lanterns with these features to see if they prove useful or not.
Regardless of the brand or style of LED emergency lantern you choose, it is important that your home have one in its emergency tool kit. The value of having a dependable light source in any emergency situation is immeasurable when it comes to the safety and comfort of your home and family.
-Ben Anton, 2007
LED Effects Lights Now Available at Terralec!
Christina Heaton asked:
Terralec are proud to announce we have a great range of new LED DJ & Disco Effect Lights available! These are all available right now for fast delivery!
After all the developments in LED technology it was only a matter of time until it was developed for the DJ & disco market. These lights create an amazing effect, with vibrant colours and clear projection and there are many already developed and available.
All of them use the latest high powered LEDs to create laser sharp colour and white beam projections to deliver amazingly crisp & clear effects. The LEDs also make the units much more functional as they have a lifespan of near 100,000 hours saving you hundreds on replacement lamps, which are also more liable to break. This is a problem that LEDs resolve as well as they have almost no operating heat and very low power consumption and as such are safer and more reliable. Perfect for mobile work and also home use as they are safer and cheaper to run.
The LED lights available currently span from simple LED moonflowers, to dual scanning moonflowers and projectors as well as DMX controllable strobing light effects. So whatever effects you are missing there is an LED light available. Equally as important, they are amazingly affordable, not far from the prices of the equivalent standard halogen style versions.
All this amazing LED effects lights are available to view on the Terralec website, and are available for demo at their showroom, for more information visit Terralec.
Terralec are proud to announce we have a great range of new LED DJ & Disco Effect Lights available! These are all available right now for fast delivery!
After all the developments in LED technology it was only a matter of time until it was developed for the DJ & disco market. These lights create an amazing effect, with vibrant colours and clear projection and there are many already developed and available.
All of them use the latest high powered LEDs to create laser sharp colour and white beam projections to deliver amazingly crisp & clear effects. The LEDs also make the units much more functional as they have a lifespan of near 100,000 hours saving you hundreds on replacement lamps, which are also more liable to break. This is a problem that LEDs resolve as well as they have almost no operating heat and very low power consumption and as such are safer and more reliable. Perfect for mobile work and also home use as they are safer and cheaper to run.
The LED lights available currently span from simple LED moonflowers, to dual scanning moonflowers and projectors as well as DMX controllable strobing light effects. So whatever effects you are missing there is an LED light available. Equally as important, they are amazingly affordable, not far from the prices of the equivalent standard halogen style versions.
All this amazing LED effects lights are available to view on the Terralec website, and are available for demo at their showroom, for more information visit Terralec.
What Makes a Good Grow Light
Susan Slobac asked:
A good grow light is one that provides the correct amount and type of light for the plant being grown as well as its stage of development. Plants of course use light as an energy source, which it converts into chemical energy by means of photosynthesis. The amount that a plant grows and provides is directly dependent on the amount of light available to it.
Because light is so important to plant health (upon which everything else depends!), the purchase of grow lights requires a bit of thought and consideration. Fluorescent grow lights are very efficient and cool compared with incandescent bulbs, which are not a particularly good choice because of the heat generated. Fluorescent lights provide full spectrum light, which many indoor gardeners think to be a good thing. However, the fact is that plants do not use the full spectrum at all times.
Metal halide bulbs are a type of grow light that is useful for a plant during its growth stage – when the stem, branches and leaves are developing. During this stage, the plant uses primarily blue spectrum light. On the other hand, a plant which is producing flowers and/or fruit needs light on the red end of the spectrum. High pressure sodium, or HPS are generally a better choice when the plant reaches this stage.
The problem with both MH and LPS lighting is that both produce considerable heat, requiring the use of fans to keep the plant and/or the soil from overheating.
Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, have been around since the early 1920s, but have only recently been used in hydroponic gardening as grow lights. This type of grow light has many advantages over fluorescent and metal vapor lights, and no real downsides other than the initial expense. While they do cost more in the beginning, LEDs are considerably cheaper in the long run because of their long life span (average life is about 100,000 hours, compared to an average 15,000 hours for other types) and energy efficiency (energy consumption is about 10 to 20% of comparable fluorescents and metal vapor lamps). In addition, LEDs are cooler, thus eliminating the need for fans and elaborate ventilation systems.
Regardless of the type of grow light used, certain accessories may be necessary in order to maximize plant growth and production. For example, a reflector increases light intensity, maximizing available light while at the same time eliminating any “hot spots.”
Ballasts are devices that provide power to the grow lights. A fluorescent light fixture has a built-in ballast, but other types – including metal vapor and LED types – require an external, or “remote” ballast. Again, its worthwhile to spend some extra money here; new digital ballasts produced domestically are superior to imports from China or old-fashioned magnetic coil types. Although they are more expensive, they will extend bulb life. Better quality digital ballasts also have numerous built-in safety features as well, such as the ability to detect short circuits and defective bulbs.
A good grow light is one that provides the correct amount and type of light for the plant being grown as well as its stage of development. Plants of course use light as an energy source, which it converts into chemical energy by means of photosynthesis. The amount that a plant grows and provides is directly dependent on the amount of light available to it.
Because light is so important to plant health (upon which everything else depends!), the purchase of grow lights requires a bit of thought and consideration. Fluorescent grow lights are very efficient and cool compared with incandescent bulbs, which are not a particularly good choice because of the heat generated. Fluorescent lights provide full spectrum light, which many indoor gardeners think to be a good thing. However, the fact is that plants do not use the full spectrum at all times.
Metal halide bulbs are a type of grow light that is useful for a plant during its growth stage – when the stem, branches and leaves are developing. During this stage, the plant uses primarily blue spectrum light. On the other hand, a plant which is producing flowers and/or fruit needs light on the red end of the spectrum. High pressure sodium, or HPS are generally a better choice when the plant reaches this stage.
The problem with both MH and LPS lighting is that both produce considerable heat, requiring the use of fans to keep the plant and/or the soil from overheating.
Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, have been around since the early 1920s, but have only recently been used in hydroponic gardening as grow lights. This type of grow light has many advantages over fluorescent and metal vapor lights, and no real downsides other than the initial expense. While they do cost more in the beginning, LEDs are considerably cheaper in the long run because of their long life span (average life is about 100,000 hours, compared to an average 15,000 hours for other types) and energy efficiency (energy consumption is about 10 to 20% of comparable fluorescents and metal vapor lamps). In addition, LEDs are cooler, thus eliminating the need for fans and elaborate ventilation systems.
Regardless of the type of grow light used, certain accessories may be necessary in order to maximize plant growth and production. For example, a reflector increases light intensity, maximizing available light while at the same time eliminating any “hot spots.”
Ballasts are devices that provide power to the grow lights. A fluorescent light fixture has a built-in ballast, but other types – including metal vapor and LED types – require an external, or “remote” ballast. Again, its worthwhile to spend some extra money here; new digital ballasts produced domestically are superior to imports from China or old-fashioned magnetic coil types. Although they are more expensive, they will extend bulb life. Better quality digital ballasts also have numerous built-in safety features as well, such as the ability to detect short circuits and defective bulbs.
Super-powered, super cool LEDs
Super cool 21W bulb with an insane heatsink
Sorry guys, for the lack of updates. We’ve been VERY busy looking for some new manufacturers and new products. LED light bulbs and the technology that powers them is changing so fast, I’d almost say that the ones you’ve seen online 1 year ago are already obsolete.
The biggest advance we’ve seen is with heatsinking technology. Since LED dies/chips only get marginally better, the only other thing that manufacturers can do is cluster more LED’s together, and drive them harder.
More power means more heat, so they’re forced to come up with some insane heatsink designs (they’re starting to look like computer CPU heatsinks). I wonder if any CPU heatsink manufacturers are making LEDs……
The guy you see on your left is a whopping 21W LED floodlight that is DIMMABLE and is meant to replace about a 100W incandescent flood. 80% savings and it lasts 10x longer…NICE. Price? Well, let’s see if we can get them over here and we promise you we’ll get the lowest price possible.
So stay tuned and we’ll keep you updated on our status in the hunt for better, brighter LED bulbs. What’s the most common bulb you’d like to replace in your home or store? Floodlights? Halogen or Globes? Leave a comment and let us know…