The Farmer’s Almanac has been using an ancient formula to forecast weather conditions up to 16 months in advance with a nearly 85% accuracy for more than 200 years. The publication says that it had no choice the winter season of 2020 as the “Polar Coaster.”
The overall forecast is that we’re going to see significantly more precipitation including wet snow, freezing rain and sleet. As the freezing air blows across the Great Lakes, intense bursts of heavy snow squalls could deposit as much as 70 cms in just a single day. This effect will be especially felt in the snow belt of Ontario, the Stratheroy area, the 402 corridor west of London and east through the high 400 corridor. One of the downfalls of heavier snowfall is that it further reduces visibility during shorter daylight hours.
LED (Lighting Emitting Diode) Technology
Using LED tail, brake, turn and reverse lights on your semi-truck, dump trucks, delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles can help increase your visibility while on the road. Having proper lighting on your truck isn’t only safe, but the use of LEDs can offer extra benefits. Every decade, the cost per lumen (unit of measurement for light) has been falling by a factor of 10 while the amount of light generated per LED package has been increasing by a factor of 20. You can expect an LED to have 100,000 hours of life versus 1,200 hours for traditional lighting.
LEDs are also considerably brighter, more durable and efficient than filament bulbs. The total cost of ownership (TCO) for an LED is significantly less than halogen or incandescent lighting. You’ll replace 55 incandescent bulbs over the same time as for one LED.
A vehicle equipped with all LED lighting uses 65% less power than the same vehicle using incandescent bulbs. The lower amp draw not only improves fuel efficiency but also helps extend the life of the battery and charging system.
Major Causes of Lighting Failure
During harsh winder conditions, water, dirt, salt and any other road contaminants can enter a lamp or connector, providing an electrical path which can accelerate corrosion. Corrosion can’t occur when the bulb is sealed within the lamp housing, as they are with LED lighting products. For added protection, connectors should be sealed with non-conductive grease which totally encapsulates the area to protect it from the elements.
Trailers experience constant pounding when traveling down the highway. Vibration can cause filaments in a bulb to distort and prematurely break. Shock and impact damage can also include loading and unloading the trailer, tailgate banging or hitting a stationary object. LEDs do not respond to changes in pressure, vibration, shock or power surges the same way that incandescent bulbs do.
LED lamps are filled with an epoxy compound that encapsulates the internal components keeping them from moving and provides stability during the sudden shock or impact. LEDs are manufactured using solid-state components that are highly durable and difficult to damage. Even if one of the LEDs fail, the product can still output light and work until a replacement is available.
Taking Smart Lighting to the Next Level
One of the leading issues for Fleet Managers is compliance infractions due to lighting failures. Budgets take a big hit when you add penalties to downtime losses, maintenance and replacement costs due to the simple failure of an incandescent bulb.
With Grote Guardian Smart System, you’ll never be caught off guard by a short or burned-out bulb again. Their state-of-the-art monitoring system attaches to any type of trailer light – LED or incandescent and communicates with your Smartphone or telematics system to give you real-time updates.
Access to real-time alerts empowers Fleet Operators to quickly respond. The knowledge of a lamp being out gives them the option to replace on the road, mitigate a safety violation and continue with their route. The use of LED technology in commercial vehicles provides fleets with all the benefits of safety, durability, productivity and most importantly profitability.
K.I.D. Truck & Trailer Service is a proud member of the TruckPro family. We support a full range of Grote and Truck-Lite products including Warning and Hazard lights and Back-up Alarms.
Photo Credit: K.I.D. Archive Photo
Tags: Commercial Vehicle Fuel Efficiency, Hazard and Warning lighting, LED Lighting, Oakville and Burlington Truck Parts, Reducing Maintenance costs