LED traffic lights failing
The culprit here is the heat from a high energy LED not being dissipated within the traffic light housing.
The manufactures are retrofitting a LED board inside a housing and not considering the heat retention. The heats a killer. Anything above 50 Deg. C. for an LED will start to shorten the life expectancy. That Texas sun is not helping. I could see a traffic light baking all day in the direct sunlight with internal temps exceeding 90 Deg. C.
The traffic lights require a complete redesign. A heat sink exposed to free air in the back.
These lights could have the life expectancy of 30 yrs plus. their duty cycle is only about 50%
Where are all the electrical/mechanical engineers???
The DIY guys are having more success with cheaper components and less experience.
As far as the ice and snow build up on the lenses I've seen this first hand here in the Canadian North.
Again it requires a complete redesign. Total encapsulation of the LEDs in the colored lens diffuser will provide enough heat to keep the surface clear of snow and ice.
LEDs are a great product but the engineers have to exploit their strengths and resect their weaknesses.
Imagine light sources lasting 30 yrs. or more and requiring only a few watts per lumen??!!
Randen
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