Backup lights.

[JamesK]

I am looking in to replacing my backup lights. The question I have is does anyone know an approx relation between candlepower and watts? For instance, if a light was rated an 10,000 candle power, what watt halogen light would this be comparable to?

Any guesses?

 

[tholt576]

My understanding of candle power is that it is a pretty useless measure of the brightness of a light. Lumens is much better. Also, my educated guess would be that watts is a pretty good indicator of how much light a given bulb gives off (within a technology, ie. HID vs Xenon vs LED etc.)

At that point the next question is how is the light focused, ie. tight beam or flood or somewhere in between?

Given all of that I think the UK SL4 makes a nice back up light if want something small that fits in a BC pocket and has pretty good brightness. It's what I carry, with a UK D8R for a primary.

 

[MikeS]

Watts and Candle Power (or Lumens) are not directly related. Light is not measured in watts. Watts is a unit of electrical energy. Different methods of generating light from electricity are more efficient than others. That’s why you see light bulbs advertised as providing the light of a 100 Watt bulb with 40 Watts. The greatest unwanted byproduct is generally heat; any electrical energy converted to heat is not converted to light and therefore wasted.

When buying a light the important issues are:

Lumens – The total amount of light.

Directivity – How tightly is the beam focused?

Efficiency – Typically measured in lumens per Watt.

For a great explanation http://www.ledtronics.com/pages/tech4.htm

Another important consideration is the weight efficiency of the power source (battery). The more Watt/hours per unit of weight the better.

 

[tholt576]

Originally posted by MikeS
Watts and Candle Power (or Lumens) are not directly related. Light is not measured in watts. Watts is a unit of electrical energy. Different methods of generating light from electricity are more efficient than others. That’s why you see light bulbs advertised as providing the light of a 100 Watt bulb with 40 Watts. The greatest unwanted byproduct is generally heat; any electrical energy converted to heat is not converted to light and therefore wasted.

When buying a light the important issues are:

Lumens – The total amount of light.

Directivity – How tightly is the beam focused?

Efficiency – Typically measured in lumens per Watt.

For a great explanation http://www.ledtronics.com/pages/tech4.htm

Another important consideration is the weight efficiency of the power source (battery). The more Watt/hours per unit of weight the better.

Thanks, you said that much better than I did.

 

[The Chairman]

Originally posted by Big James
I am looking in to replacing my backup lights.

Just keep going forward and you won't need no steenking back-up lights... :tease:

BTW... candle power is to lumens as horsepower is to amps. They are different ways to measure the same thing. Remember, we are always trying to relate a concept to something we are familiar with... so were our ancestors.

 

[JamesK]

Thanks guys. I am just trying to figure out if these new 10,000 candlepower lights are going to be as bright, or brighter, then the 4 watt ones I am using now. I would hate to order them and they not be as bright. Thanks again.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Big James
I would hate to order them and they not be as bright.

mustamistit...what are you ordering exactly BJ

 

[JamesK]

I am not sure exactly what they are, but they are made by Pelican. I currently use Princeten TEC40's and was going to try something different. I was going to order the diverite ones, but I have seen about 6 of them flood. I never had a problem with the princetons. I just wanted something brighter, but still small in size.

I would really like the halcyon's, but don't have the halcyon money at this time. ;-0

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Big James
I would really like the halcyon's, but don't have the halcyon money at this time. ;-0

Check these out:
www.canadianextreme.ca

See if they will work you a deal on two...

 

[JamesK]

Thanks!!!! Those look nice. I am going to call them this week and get some more info about them. Maybe they will work with me.