Lights don't just serve to illuminate the road in the dark, but also as a means of communication between drivers on the road. A single flash of the lights can mean "go ahead," or even "watch out, be careful."

To better understand, let's discuss the types of car lights and their functions. From the most classic to the ones that are currently trending in the automotive world.

1. Halogen Lights – The Classic That Still Exists

This type is arguably the most familiar. The majority of older cars (and even many newer ones) use halogen lights as headlights. Their power consumption ranges from 35 to 55 watts.

They work similarly to incandescent bulbs, using a tungsten filament in quartz glass filled with a mixture of gases. When electricity flows through it, the filament glows and emits light.

The downside is that halogen lights require extremely high temperatures (250ºC – 900°C) to last. If the temperature is not right, the glass can blacken and the lights can burn out quickly.

2. HID (Xenon) – Really Bright, But Requires Effort

Moving on to High Intensity Discharge (HID) or Xenon lights. These lights are different because they don't use filaments, but instead produce light from igniting Xenon gas in a tube.

The advantage is that HID lights are much brighter and more durable than halogen lights, and they don't consume a lot of power.

But yes, there is a catch. Installing HID is a bit complicated because it requires a ballast to stabilize the electric current. So if you want to upgrade to HID, be prepared to put in some extra effort.

3. LED – The Modern Favorite

Nowadays, LED lights are arguably the most popular. Initially, they were only used for brake lights or license plates, but now many headlamps are fully LED.

Why are LEDs the favorite?

• Super bright light
• More energy efficient
• Longer lifespan
• Easy installation, no ballast needed, just a relay + conversion kit

Types of LEDs commonly used in cars:

• LED Limited: High power, usually for main lights.
• LED Cree: Suitable for auxiliary lights like brakes and turn signals.
• COB LED: Resembles a chip board, often used for interior lights.

So, Which Lights Should You Choose?

All types of lights have their own pros and cons. Halogen remains an affordable option, HID excels in brightness, while LED is gaining popularity due to its efficiency and performance. Just choose based on your needs and budget.

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Kenalan Sama Macam-Macam Lampu Mobil: Dari Halogen, HID, Sampai LED

Lampu nggak cuma berfungsi buat nyorot jalan waktu gelap, tapi juga jadi alat komunikasi antar-pengendara di jalan. Satu kedipan lampu bisa artinya “silakan jalan dulu,” atau malah “awas, hati-hati.”

Nah, biar makin paham, yuk kita bahas jenis-jenis lampu mobil beserta fungsinya. Dari yang paling klasik sampai yang lagi hype di dunia otomotif.

1. Lampu Halogen – Si Klasik yang Masih Eksis

Jenis ini bisa dibilang paling familiar. Mayoritas mobil lama (bahkan masih banyak yang baru) pakai lampu halogen sebagai headlamp. Konsumsi dayanya ada di kisaran 35–55 watt.

Cara kerjanya mirip bohlam pijar, pakai filamen tungsten dalam kaca kuarsa yang berisi campuran gas. Begitu dialiri listrik, filamennya membara dan memancarkan cahaya.

Kekurangannya, lampu halogen butuh suhu super tinggi (250ºC – 900°C) biar awet. Kalau suhunya nggak sesuai, kaca bisa menghitam dan lampu cepat putus.

2. HID (Xenon) – Sangat Terang, Tapi Butuh Effort

Lanjut ke High Intensity Discharge (HID) alias lampu Xenon. Lampu ini beda karena nggak pakai filamen, tapi cahaya muncul dari pengapian gas Xenon dalam tabung.

Kelebihannya, cahaya HID jauh lebih terang dan awet ketimbang halogen, serta nggak makan daya besar.

Tapi ya, ada tapinya. Pemasangan HID agak ribet karena butuh ballast biar arus listriknya stabil. Jadi kalau mau upgrade ke HID, siap-siap keluar effort ekstra.

3. LED – Si Modern yang Jadi Favorit

Sekarang, lampu LED bisa dibilang jadi primadona. Awalnya cuma dipakai buat lampu rem atau plat nomor, tapi sekarang headlamp banyak yang full LED.

Kenapa LED jadi favorit?

• Cahaya super terang
• Lebih hemat energi
• Usia pakai lebih panjang
• Instalasi gampang, nggak perlu ballast, cukup relay + conversion kit

Jenis-jenis LED yang sering dipakai di mobil:

• LED Limited: Daya tinggi, biasanya buat lampu utama.
• LED Cree: Cocok buat lampu tambahan kayak rem dan sein.
• LED COB: Bentuknya kayak papan chip, sering dipakai buat lampu kabin.

Jadi, Pilih Lampu yang Mana?

Semua jenis lampu punya plus-minus masing-masing. Halogen masih jadi opsi murah meriah, HID unggul di cahaya, sementara LED makin populer karena efisiensi dan performanya. Tinggal sesuaikan sama kebutuhan dan budget kamu.