Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Truck LED Lights

Truck LED Lights

Information on LED Lights:

Why should you buy LED lights for your truck or car? LED lights are semiconductors just like a computer chip in you r computer . When voltage is passed through them, they emit energy in the form of light. They are made with certain chemicals, that determine their light color. LED’s convert the majority of voltage passed through them to light, as opposed to other incandescent bulbs that produce light by energy heating them. But led can be up to 90% more efficient than traditional truck filament light bulbs.
What ‘s the cost to you? They can be more expensive than the traditional truck bulbs. But if you shop online you can get them for a fair price. The led lights last a lot longer and use less voltage from the batteries. But most of all they are far more reliable then the old style filament bulbs. They run cooler and use less energy to work. They generally are sealed units so you do have to take tem apart and clean the sockets like you do some times with filament bulbs. I guess you can say it means less down time. When you are trucking time is money you do not want any down time.
Led rating: originally when LED bulbs came out there were no real standards, manufacturers would claim lifetimes of 100,000 hours with no real testing. Since then the standard has been to scale back to 50,000 hours so as not to over-state claims. (Beware of bulbs that are rated at 100,000 hours unless they state specifically Why they are rated at so high I would be wary of trusting this rating).Many of the manufacturers producing their 3rd generation LED bulbs are now starting to be more conservative and rating their bulbs at 35,000 hours, having gotten test results back from 1-2 years of testing. Rated at 35,000 hours, you can rest assured the manufacturer is not overstating their claims. Anything more than 50,000 hours... buyer beware or it could be BS.

The led lifespan led bulb may continue to be useful for several thousand hours past its stated lifetime. Unlike old-fashioned light bulbs, it is extremely rare for an led light to simply burn out. Rather, it will gradually fade over time, as the little diode start to fade ,but your truck light is still visible to on coming cars unlike filament bulbs that just quit.

There are quite a few websites like our “Edgeolite.com” online that you can buy led bulbs. The problem is "how do you compare one bulb to another?" A quick way to do this is to calculate the lumens/watt, or , the total amount of light you get from the amount of electricity you put in. This is done by simply dividing the bulbs wattage by the stated number of lumens. Anything over 50 lumens/watt is good at the moment. 75 lumens/watt is very good while 100 lumens/watt is excellent. Keep in mind this is just a general comparison - some bulbs may be rated as brighter or dimmer than this.

For the most part this article gives you an idea of the measurement used for led lights. The other measurement I would use is the quality of the led light you buy. They are designed to withstand the vast changes in the weather from being in the cold and wet to being extremely hot and dry. The quality of the lenses of the outer led is also something to consider and also the ability to mount it on your truck.

If you are interested in more information on this topic or on snowplows or trucking or would like to see the Edgeolite LED lights simply click here. http://www.edgeolite.com/led-trucklights.html or email us safety@edgeolite.com

Monday, December 6, 2010

Semi Trucks and Terrorism

Semi Trucks and Terrorism
After the world was taken by surprised with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 significant changes were implemented in the United States in regard to semi trucks. There is a possibility that the use of large trucks could be used for terrorism and that is something that needs to be carefully guarded against.

The United States government closely guards against those with a CDL accessing hazardous materials. They require a background check with fingerprinting to be completed for anyone with a CDL that wants this type of endorsement. There are plenty of flammable and toxic materials hauled in semi trucks that need to be protected.

There is also the problem of terrorists taking semi trucks that have such products on them in route. They can kill the driver’s and take the trucks if they really want to access the various materials they are hauling. The potential scenarios that could result from such materials being used for terrorism are too many to mention. Yet it is likely that they could result in mass deaths and even contamination of the water and the air.

There have already been some semi trucks involved in various terrorist attacks. In 1993 they were used to engage in the attack on the World Trade Center. The fact that there are so many semi trucks out there hauling dangerous materials makes them a viable weapon for terrorism. The fact that placards have to be in place on semi trucks hauling these materials is supposed to be for safety but they also identify them as easy targets for terrorists.

One of the ideas the Department of Homeland Security has been considering is placing GPS on all trucks that haul hazardous materials. This way it would be very easy to identify those that are off course. It would also be possible to identify any semi trucks hauling hazardous materials into areas where they are not allowed.

In the event of a semi truck hauling dangerous materials, being involved in an accident, the GPS could result in clean up crews being sent to the scene immediately. All of the information relating to the types of materials being hauled would be available so crews would know how to proceed. Yet the cost of implementing such a program would be very expensive. There would also be ongoing costs for monitoring the activities of all these semi trucks.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has also come up with a device to prevent terrorists from using semi trucks. This device can be mounted in various areas of the truck. If it is believed the safety of the semi truck has been compromised the device can be instructed to come to a full stop by activating the air brakes. There is still more research that needs to be looked into for this type of concept to be realistically installed in all semi trucks.

We have all seen the effects that terrorist attacks can have on society. Protecting semi trucks from getting into the wrong hands is very important. Most truck drivers are trained in the possibility that their truck could be taken for such a purpose. Many trucking companies have procedures in place for the driver to follow if such an event occurs. Many of the reports of suspicious activities relating to semi trucks are reported by truck drivers themselves as they are the eyes and ears of the open road.

Visit http://www.edgeolite.com/ for safety related information and products or email us at safety@edgeolite.com

Friday, December 3, 2010

Trucking and Saving On Diesel Fuel Costs For 2011

Trucking and Saving On Diesel Fuel Costs For 2011


To be ready to appreciate how it's actually possible to get improved fuel use from a diesel engine, its an excellent idea to return to basics to appreciate a touch more about diesel and how it operates.

By doing this it is easy to grasp how savings can be made and how a better fuel usage rate ( MPG, or miles per gallon ) will give you an overall cheaper diesel fuel cost. One of the critical points toward acknowledge is a well cared for, and efficient-running engine is about the most major element in achieving better fuel use.

Further, many of the issues that happen with diesel engines relate to fuel quality, which can occur in many ways.

It can vary widely from cargo to cargo regardless of if you use the same seller whenever you fill up with diesel, there may be changes in the fuel they're providing. The diesel quality can change, even in a little way, with each cargo your vendor receives.

The major variables are : * Cetane : this is the level at which the fuel will self ignite, with acceptable levels being between forty and forty five. As the levels can change with each delivery, the aren't well known. The starting and combustion coarseness of your engine can be impacted by the cetane level. * The density or 'weight ' of the diesel has effects on the fuel's heat content.

Lighter fuels ( Type one ) have a lower cloud point and is normally considered to be better in less warm temperatures. The heavier diesel ( Type two ) has good lubricating qualities, and if they're both the very same price, the heavier fuel sometimes gives better fuel usage. * The viscosity of the fuel rules the potency at which fuel travels thru the high pressure parts of the injection pump. Type one will reduce your fuel usage as it has a tendency to have more fuel leaking. Buying your diesel from truck stops is usually thought of as the most effective way to make sure you are purchasing a top-notch product.

These outlets would go into Chapter 11 fast if they started to supply inferior fuel. Two. Employing a fuel re-formulator. After millions of miles of road tests around the globe, there may be little doubt that employing a fuel reformulator will reward you with better fuel economy leading to cheaper diesel fuel costs. These reformulators, like Ethos FR, shouldn't be confused with 'fuel additions ' - the type sold in automobile retailers.

These are alcohol or gas based products that truly raise your fuel costs due to the quantity you want to contribute to each tank.

The actual reason for treating diesel is to provide better oiling,to guarantee all of the desired working parts of the engine are lubricated, and going nicely.

Many drivers don't realize that since low sulfur fuel was capable of being used on road vehicles, the survival expectation of the fuel injection system dropped by as much as 25 percent. The lubricating and cleaning esters in this fuel reformulator are show-stopping technology in action. Its use ends up in fuel burning more utterly, and gives a discernible net gain in mileage per gallon - meaning less expensive diesel costs overall.

visit www.edgeolite.com or you can email us at sales@edgeolite.com

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Trucking And Glare Problems At Night, Reducing The Effects Of Headlight Glare.

Trucking And Glare Problems At Night, Reducing The Effects Of Headlight Glare.

Truck Drivers on roads especially at night experience enough driving problems and hazards. To be able to eliminate glare from the side mirrors reflecting in your face at night, which effects your ability to see would be so beneficial to any driver.

Many truck drivers have concerns about the safety of driving at night time. These mostly relate to visibility of the road and surrounding terrain. Glare from headlights and various artificial light sources are also a concern to most drivers.

It won't surprise you that more accidents occur on the roads during the hours of darkness, in fact you’re 52% more likely to have a collision in the dark than at any other time.
About 79% of accidents which occur at night are due to road conditions. Weather related to inclement weather, glare, front glare and back glare, driver distraction and road surface problems.

There are many products to try including different types of eye glasses, but I have discovered the best for glare coming from the mirrors is definitely the Glare Guards which attach to your side driving mirrors top and they are very inexpensive. This really eliminates the problem by 80%.This is a quick fix product which keeps you safer and stops the glare.

Visit www.edgeolite.com and view safety products email sales@edgeolite.com for information on this product and how to order.