Paul Hanson wrote:

I don't remember (at least recently anyways) seeing
a thread about LED lights for trailers. However, I
think LED's are a great idea, BUT... I just urge anyone
buying them to look into the flash rate (they are constantly
blinking as opposed to solidly on like incandescents)
of lights you are investigating and choose the highest
rate possible. Reason being, it is VERY annoying and
distracting to be driving at night, and to have a set
of very bright taillights 'strobe' a dotted line across
your vision as you scan your eye across them. The lower
the flash rate, the more exaggerated the problem is.
I am very surprised DOT has not set some kind of minimum
standards as to flash rate (as well as better guidelines
to headlight lumen maximum/spectrum range, anyone else
hate those ultra-bright purple blue headlights?).
Remember, if it is distracting to other drivers, you
are increasing your chances of an accident as opposed
to promoting safety so please do your homework before
purchasing.

There are plenty of places selling brake/turn/running light units using
LEDs that display exactly as the incandescent units do (no
flashing/strobing, just on or off). In the USA, LED lights are very
common on all sizes of trucks and buses, and none of them flash.

I replaced the standard incandescent units on my Cobra trailer and my
motorhome with LED units. They are much brighter, particularly the
trailer units, as the incandescent units drew enough current to lower
the voltage at the lamp.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org