Choosing a Side Emitting LED Light Bar
LED light bars can improve safety, visibility, and energy efficiency. Choosing the right one for your needs involves considering several factors and features.
For instance, you should look for a bar with a high IP rating. This ensures that the bar can withstand soaking in water. In addition, you should check the manufacturer’s reputation and customer reviews.
Brightness
Side-emitting LED strips shine light in a direction that is parallel to flat surfaces, unlike regular (top-view) strip lights. This allows them to fit into tight spaces and provide inconspicuous lighting. They are ideal for accent, border, or contour lighting in coves and domes, cabinetry, bars, toe kicks, staircases, valences, and cornices.
Aside from their brightness, these lights are energy-efficient and have a long lifespan. They also offer a wide illuminating angle and provide uniform luminescence with no dark areas or uneven spots. They also have high thermal conductivity and are designed to minimize heat loss. They do not emit ultraviolet and infrared rays, and they are environment friendly.
LED strip lights can be used for a variety of purposes, from highlighting artwork to creating dramatic color effects. They can be cut to size and are easy to mount. LEDs are also available in different colors, making it possible to find the perfect one for your project.
When selecting a LED strip, you should choose one that has a constant current driver built-in to ensure that the voltage remains consistent throughout the length of the run. This is essential for achieving consistent chromaticity, peak wavelengths, and lumen output. In addition, the chips should be tightly binned to minimize variance in luminous intensity. Also, make sure that the wire length between the power supply and lens light bar is no longer than 3 meters. If the cord is too long, it may cause excessive heating of the power cord, leading to undesirable consequences.
Durability
The durability of your LED light bar is one of the most important factors to consider. It will help determine how long your lights last, whether they are Side Emitting Led Light Bar able to withstand extreme conditions and other factors that affect longevity. Low-quality light bars will have a shorter lifespan, and they won’t be as durable as a high-quality bar.
Many LED manufacturers are known for their durability, such as Rigid Industries, which makes two lines of lights called the OnX and Stealth series. Both are available in spot, flood, and combo beam patterns and have lengths ranging from 8 inches to 51 inches. These LEDs are made on a rigid FR4 PCB, which gives them some mechanical stability. However, they are not designed to be curved or bent too close to the solder points, as this may crack the copper traces.
Another aspect to consider is the LED chips. The quality of these chips will play a role in how bright the light is and the beam pattern it emits. Some manufacturers use their own LED chips, while others will list what chip maker their lights are made from. Beware of light bars that do not mention their chip maker, as this could mean they are sourced from China.
Finally, be sure to choose a light bar that is built from strong aluminum. This will ensure that it can withstand the harshest conditions on and off the road.
Flexibility
LED light strips—also known as strip lights or tape lights—are flexible, thin circuit boards that contain a line of LED diodes. They come in a variety of lengths, color options, and indoor or outdoor ratings. You can control most LED strip lights with a smartphone app or remote controller. They’re perfect for decorative lighting, task lighting, and safety/security lighting.
This 16.4′ spool of high-density dimmable RGB LED strip has side-emitting LEDs, which are ideal for highlighting hard to reach areas. They can also be cut every 6 LEDs or 2″ (50.8 mm).
These LED strips feature commercial-grade 3014 SMD LED chips and are rated for up to 50,000 hours of operation. They have an all-black circuit board for a clean look and can be cut to fit your application. Each end features pre-attached power wires for a quick installation. They’re UL listed for use in dry locations and connect together easily.
These strips can be mounted to an aluminum extrusion, which gives them a more finished appearance and protects the circuit board from heat and moisture. They’re great for soffits, stairs, toe kicks, coves, and other surfaces where the fixture might be exposed to humidity or heat. Some manufacturers offer a diffuser lens to eliminate hot spots and ensure even illumination. They’re also available with an IP67 waterproof rating, which is important if your installation is above a stove or in a wet environment.
Aesthetics
When selecting an LED light bar, it is important to consider the size, shape and beam pattern you need. You should also choose the right manufacturer for your specific needs. There are many different manufactures to choose from, and each may have a unique look and feel to their products. It is also a good idea to read reviews and compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal.
You should also decide how many rows you want led truck light your LED light bar to have. Single row bars are less expensive and look more discreet, while double row LED lights offer more illumination and a larger profile. Lastly, you will need to determine whether you want the LED lights to be flashing or solid.
Typical LED light bars are equipped with either flood or spot LEDs that can be switched to different modes. Depending on your driving style, you might prefer a flood light for off-road driving or a spot light for street use. A combination LED light bar is another option that provides both types of lighting, making it versatile for different situations.
Another feature of an LED light bar is its ability to function as identification and clearance lights. These are able to be turned on or off at the driver’s discretion, so long as they are not turned off when used on public roadways.
