LED vs. Halogen Bulb Lifespan?
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LED vs. Halogen Bulb Lifespan?
While planning various external and internal LED light mods, I was wondering what the average LED bulb lifespan is in relation to a stock halogen bulb? I know one of the advantages of LED bulbs is that they pull less energy off the battery, etc. so would that mean they also last longer? Or are they similar?
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I've read claims of 100K hours lifespan - I've read other things stating 40K-60K hours. Assuming 24 hours x 365 days = 8760 hours in a year.
Dividing 60K hours by 8760 = 6.84 years. While that doesn't sound like a lot, remember to factor in illumination time, no one that I know runs their LED lights 24 hours per day, 365 days per year for 6.84 years continuous.....so the lifetime could easily be double or triple that....
Dividing 60K hours by 8760 = 6.84 years. While that doesn't sound like a lot, remember to factor in illumination time, no one that I know runs their LED lights 24 hours per day, 365 days per year for 6.84 years continuous.....so the lifetime could easily be double or triple that....
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From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
i found this:
LED Lifespan
LED lifespan is perhaps the single most misunderstood aspect of LED lighting technologies. The misconception dates back to a time when many people believed in the 100,000-hour life span. Although LED lights may survive this long, it will not produce nearly as much light as it did within its first few hours of operation! As the LED bulbs age, the luminous output will continuously degrade. This degradation is due to growing defects within the molecular structure of the die. Overtime, the LED lamps become less efficient at producing light. In addition, lens yellowing can also decrease the luminous output as the LED ages. Lens yellowing occurs from ultra-violet radiation as it passes through the epoxy lens. This is why ultra-violet (UV) LEDs have a very limited lifespan and may not be suitable for LED home lighting projects. The intense ultra-violet radiation causes lens yellowing at an accelerated rate.
A traditional light bulb has reached the end of its life when the filament breaks. As we all know, the light output goes to zero when this event occurs. The white LED life behaves much differently! As it ages, the light output slowly and continuously decreases as the LED lamp losses efficiency. The light emitting diode has reached the end of its life when its light output reaches 50% of the rated luminous output, not when it reaches zero. This is the industry standard used for determining white LED lifespan, as well as other colors. The disadvantage of this standard is that the average person cannot judge when the LED light has reached the end of its life. The luminous output will diminish so gradually, most people do not even realize a loss has occurred. Furthermore, a person exposed to a particular LED light on a regular basis becomes less susceptible to its continuously decreasing output. Fortunately, the life of LED light bulb will last long enough that many will even outlive their applications.
Life of LED Light Bulb
It seems that recently, manufactures have improved the accuracy of their LED datasheets. Some manufactures mention specifics about lumen maintenance within a specific period of operation. Lumen maintenance simply defines the expected luminous output after a specified period of continuous use. For example, a manufacture may claim 60% lumen maintenance at 45,000 hours. Of course, this information is subject to conditions such as die temperature and ambient temperature. On occasion, life expectancy data depicted as a line graph is available upon special request. This form of white LED life data offers greater resolution. Rather than defining luminous output during a single point in time, the line graph offers a luminous output for nearly any point within the LED lights lifespan. Life expectancy data is a critical aspect to every custom LED lighting design. Lunar Accents Design Corporation does not recommend purchasing LED lights from a manufacturer who does not offer LED life lifespan data. Most of the time, a manufacturer will conduct a physical test over a shorter period, in order to gain the initial life of LED light bulb expectancy data. However, since an LED lamp can actually produce light up to or exceeding ten years, engineers rely on extrapolated data to determine the luminous output beyond physical lifespan test results.
LED Lifespan
White LED life span can vary according to environmental and design related items. White LED lifespan is ultimately determined during the engineering phase of a specific custom LED lighting design. In some cases, design engineers may intentionally limit LED lifespan in lighting applications where longevity is non-critical. One case includes an application designed to operate only for a specified period. Perhaps more common is the application where light output is more important than the life of LED light bulb. Overdriving an LED lights will increase the luminous output, but dramatically decrease lifespan if thermal management is not considered. It is possible that budgetary restrictions will not allow for advanced forms thermal management. Poor thermal management can expose LED lights to unnecessary heat, and heat can lead to a dramatic reduction in lifespan. In addition to LED lifespan data, LED manufactures need to provide test data pertaining to the specific die temperature during the lifespan test period. Although many LED manufactures do not publish such data, it is important to inquire before attempting to calculate longevity for your custom LED product.
LED Environmental Factors
Although die temperature plays the most critical role in LED lifespan, numerous other variables also play a part. Yet another consideration includes the environment in which the lighting application will operate. Ambient temperature is always a factor, primarily in applications exposed to fluctuating environmental factors. High ambient temperatures and humidity can potentially lead to a reduction in lifespan. For example, consider an LED lighting application designed to produce a 200-lumen output. Twenty surface mount LEDs will meet this criterion, but only while operating at or below the specified ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. When employed within an environment as hot as 40 degree ambient, thermal stresses may dramatically reduce LED life and reliability. Increased ambient temperatures will also adversely affect luminous output. The solution is to reduce the drive current and increase the total number of LEDs within the array.
LED lifespan is perhaps the single most misunderstood aspect of LED lighting technologies. The misconception dates back to a time when many people believed in the 100,000-hour life span. Although LED lights may survive this long, it will not produce nearly as much light as it did within its first few hours of operation! As the LED bulbs age, the luminous output will continuously degrade. This degradation is due to growing defects within the molecular structure of the die. Overtime, the LED lamps become less efficient at producing light. In addition, lens yellowing can also decrease the luminous output as the LED ages. Lens yellowing occurs from ultra-violet radiation as it passes through the epoxy lens. This is why ultra-violet (UV) LEDs have a very limited lifespan and may not be suitable for LED home lighting projects. The intense ultra-violet radiation causes lens yellowing at an accelerated rate.
A traditional light bulb has reached the end of its life when the filament breaks. As we all know, the light output goes to zero when this event occurs. The white LED life behaves much differently! As it ages, the light output slowly and continuously decreases as the LED lamp losses efficiency. The light emitting diode has reached the end of its life when its light output reaches 50% of the rated luminous output, not when it reaches zero. This is the industry standard used for determining white LED lifespan, as well as other colors. The disadvantage of this standard is that the average person cannot judge when the LED light has reached the end of its life. The luminous output will diminish so gradually, most people do not even realize a loss has occurred. Furthermore, a person exposed to a particular LED light on a regular basis becomes less susceptible to its continuously decreasing output. Fortunately, the life of LED light bulb will last long enough that many will even outlive their applications.
Life of LED Light Bulb
It seems that recently, manufactures have improved the accuracy of their LED datasheets. Some manufactures mention specifics about lumen maintenance within a specific period of operation. Lumen maintenance simply defines the expected luminous output after a specified period of continuous use. For example, a manufacture may claim 60% lumen maintenance at 45,000 hours. Of course, this information is subject to conditions such as die temperature and ambient temperature. On occasion, life expectancy data depicted as a line graph is available upon special request. This form of white LED life data offers greater resolution. Rather than defining luminous output during a single point in time, the line graph offers a luminous output for nearly any point within the LED lights lifespan. Life expectancy data is a critical aspect to every custom LED lighting design. Lunar Accents Design Corporation does not recommend purchasing LED lights from a manufacturer who does not offer LED life lifespan data. Most of the time, a manufacturer will conduct a physical test over a shorter period, in order to gain the initial life of LED light bulb expectancy data. However, since an LED lamp can actually produce light up to or exceeding ten years, engineers rely on extrapolated data to determine the luminous output beyond physical lifespan test results.
LED Lifespan
White LED life span can vary according to environmental and design related items. White LED lifespan is ultimately determined during the engineering phase of a specific custom LED lighting design. In some cases, design engineers may intentionally limit LED lifespan in lighting applications where longevity is non-critical. One case includes an application designed to operate only for a specified period. Perhaps more common is the application where light output is more important than the life of LED light bulb. Overdriving an LED lights will increase the luminous output, but dramatically decrease lifespan if thermal management is not considered. It is possible that budgetary restrictions will not allow for advanced forms thermal management. Poor thermal management can expose LED lights to unnecessary heat, and heat can lead to a dramatic reduction in lifespan. In addition to LED lifespan data, LED manufactures need to provide test data pertaining to the specific die temperature during the lifespan test period. Although many LED manufactures do not publish such data, it is important to inquire before attempting to calculate longevity for your custom LED product.
LED Environmental Factors
Although die temperature plays the most critical role in LED lifespan, numerous other variables also play a part. Yet another consideration includes the environment in which the lighting application will operate. Ambient temperature is always a factor, primarily in applications exposed to fluctuating environmental factors. High ambient temperatures and humidity can potentially lead to a reduction in lifespan. For example, consider an LED lighting application designed to produce a 200-lumen output. Twenty surface mount LEDs will meet this criterion, but only while operating at or below the specified ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. When employed within an environment as hot as 40 degree ambient, thermal stresses may dramatically reduce LED life and reliability. Increased ambient temperatures will also adversely affect luminous output. The solution is to reduce the drive current and increase the total number of LEDs within the array.
Former Vendor
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Filimant bulbs (incandecent and halogen) are prone to failure because the burning filimant which creates the light compromises the structural integrity of the filimant material. In an enviornment such as a car, the vibration from driving further shortens the lifespan of such bulbs.
LEDs do not have a filiment. There are also various types of LEDs. primarily bulb and chip. Chip-LEDs are newer technology and show more promise than their bulb-style counterparts. Most every bulb in my car is a chip style LED (except for those pesky type 74 ad HVAC bulbs) Both types of bulb have extremely long lifespans.
LEDs do not have a filiment. There are also various types of LEDs. primarily bulb and chip. Chip-LEDs are newer technology and show more promise than their bulb-style counterparts. Most every bulb in my car is a chip style LED (except for those pesky type 74 ad HVAC bulbs) Both types of bulb have extremely long lifespans.
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Thanks for the feedback. A lot more than I expected! 
I was also concerned as to whether or not LEDs tend to fade out over time vs. a defininitive on/off blown traditional bulb.
I was also concerned as to whether or not LEDs tend to fade out over time vs. a defininitive on/off blown traditional bulb.
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Assuming you own the Vette forever, your eyesight will be so bad by the time any noticebale degredation occurs you won't know it! 
The big advantages are less current draw, little to no heat and color options...
The drawbacks are geting them to look good when replacing incandescents that radiate effective light 360 degrees and in certain components in the C5 the LEDs do not turn off with the ignition (97 and 98 Dual Zone HVACs, about 30 percent have had this problem to my knowledge) or slowly fade out (Stock Bose Radios)...
There is a color issue with using White LEDs in the HVAC and Radio also, but jdmvette and I are going to cover that soon in another Thread.
I see you're doing some research on White LEDs jdm!!!
The big advantages are less current draw, little to no heat and color options...
The drawbacks are geting them to look good when replacing incandescents that radiate effective light 360 degrees and in certain components in the C5 the LEDs do not turn off with the ignition (97 and 98 Dual Zone HVACs, about 30 percent have had this problem to my knowledge) or slowly fade out (Stock Bose Radios)...
There is a color issue with using White LEDs in the HVAC and Radio also, but jdmvette and I are going to cover that soon in another Thread.
I see you're doing some research on White LEDs jdm!!!
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Are there certain type of auto LED bulbs? I'm sure the supporting vendors use them, however my question is more of a general question. Do the later model cars with the LED gauges, etc. use LED bulbs specifically designed for automotive use?
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
All LEDs operate and are physically the same, the "packaging" changes but the core is the same in a 10mm LED as in a PLCC for instance... For automotive use either the circuit is modified to meet the electrical requirements of the LED OR the LED is modified by adding resistance to the "package" so the LED can survive in that 12 volt requirement.
Here is a Plug and Play type 74 NEO Wedge deisgned for most switches in the C5 that I removed from it's base to show the resistor built into it;
If a LED "bulb" is sold for automotive use then it's been modified to operate in the 12 - 14 volt range... Or in the design phase the circuit has the voltage/power reduced to meet the operating parameters of that specific LED.
HTH
Tim
Here is a Plug and Play type 74 NEO Wedge deisgned for most switches in the C5 that I removed from it's base to show the resistor built into it;
If a LED "bulb" is sold for automotive use then it's been modified to operate in the 12 - 14 volt range... Or in the design phase the circuit has the voltage/power reduced to meet the operating parameters of that specific LED.
HTH
Tim
