Heavy Duty Bus Parts
Heavy Duty Bus Parts Inc., which manufactures UltraLED school bus lighting, is updating its eight-way warning lamp with a 7-inch rapid flash/steady state light. The light requires only nine LEDs to operate and surpasses the photometry of the current 124-LED version. The change is in the direction of company President Brandon Billingsley’s vision that most LED lamps will require only a single LED for the required photometry in the near future as technology continues to improve. Reducing the number of LEDs in the lamp also reduces the need for support components and solder points, which are more likely to cause a product failure than the light-emitting diodes themselves. Therefore, fewer LEDs creates a more reliable lamp.

The most popular lamp in Heavy Duty Bus Part’s UltraLED product line (using a single 1-watt LED) is the 9500 LED stop-arm interchange. Made in the U.S., the 9500 has also been updated to use nylon-polycarbonate housing and is completely sealed for an IP67 rating. The lamp replaces the incandescent bulb originally used in the stop arm, with the same base and socket, for a quick and easy upgrade to LED technology. The lamp is low cost and simple to install, and the built-in rapid flash is proven to reduce illegal passing, according to the company. With a five-year warranty, the UltraLED 9500 virtually eliminates service repairs on stop-arm lamps.

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SoundOff Signal

The 7-inch round 756 Series from SoundOff Signal is an eight-way LED warning lighting system for school buses. Company officials say that LED lighting offers fleets reliable, unmatched light output, greater efficiency with a lower amp draw, reduced vehicle downtime and reduced maintenance costs. SoundOff Signal’s lights are optically engineered to increase brightness and off-angle visibility, and they exceed FMVSS and SAE requirements. The units feature sonic-welded, waterproof construction and reinforced stainless-steel screw bosses. The lens’ UV inhibitor prevents sun fade. The 756 Series lights offer two modes: steady burn and strobing.

The 4-inch LED curb/entry light from SoundOff Signal has a specially engineered Fresnel lens to boost light output and brightness. Its durable and rustproof polycarbonate housing comes in a black finish to complement other bus accessories and lights. The sonic-welded, waterproof construction makes the light suitable for exterior or interior use. Like the 756 Series, its lens has a UV inhibitor to prevent sun fade and discoloration. The curb/entry light, which passes IP67 testing, also features a surface-mount design and includes mounting screws with 6.5-inch two-wire lead. It offers input voltage of 10 to 30 VDC.

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Weldon
The 1020-9000 Series LED Warning Lamp from Weldon combines advanced electronics with a conventional idea of serviceable parts. The warning lamp allows the lens to be changed or the LEDs to be upgraded, eliminating the need to replace the entire light if a part becomes damaged — thus reducing landfill waste. The 1020-9000 series was designed to reduce hazardous chemicals such as lead in the manufacturing process. The lamp uses V-LED technology for superior thermal effi ciency with extraordinary brightness. It offers strobe and standard fl ash in one lamp.

The 1017-9000 Series is a single LED lamp designed for long-term service and low life cycle costs. It is a serviceable, maintainable and upgradable stop, tail turn, and backup light that uses V-LED technology. The light features a replaceable cover lens, low power consumption/amperage draw, and exceptional brightness and signaling power. It mounts to all existing 7-inch bolt patterns for easy retrofit. The scratchresistant acrylic lens provides UV resistance and improved clarity. The solid, die-cast aluminum base prevents rust.

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CRS Electronics
CRS Electronics offers 7-inch round LEDs as an amber turn signal or a stop-tail-turn light. The unit features enhanced light output to increase safety, with low amp draw. It can be retrofitted on a bus in five minutes. The light has a polycarbonate lens, 17 diodes and voltage of 8 to 12 VDC. It meets all SAE and FMVSS specifications. With a life expectancy of 100,000 hours, it can reduce vehicle downtime. The instant-on feature can help reduce rear-end collisions.

The company’s 4-inch round LED is available as a tail light or a backup light. With its enhanced light output, it increases the visibility of the bus. At the same time, it can increase alternator life, according to CRS Electronics. Like the 7-inch light, it can be retrofitted on a bus in five minutes and meets all SAE and FMVSS specifications. The 4-inch light also features a polycarbonate lens and voltage of 8 to 14 VDC.

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Dialight
Dialight recently added the 4-inch by 6-inch LED Low Beam Headlamp to its line of SAE/DOT-approved LED lighting products for buses and other commercial vehicles. Operating at less than 14 watts, the headlamp uses more than 70 percent less energy than conventional halogen headlamps, according to the company. This energy efficiency helps to reduce stress on the vehicle’s electrical system. With Dialight’s proprietary thermal design, the light requires no cooling fans or other moving parts to manage heat, eliminating common failure points.

The unit has a life expectancy of more than 10 full years, seven of those backed by Dialight’s full-replacement warranty. This can save bus operators significant maintenance time and cost over the life of the product. The headlamp also incorporates a reflector-based optics design to enhance visibility in adverse weather conditions and reduce glare for oncoming traffic. Its rugged aluminum alloy die-cast housing and hard-coated polycarbonate lens make the weatherproof unit impact resistant.