2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma | Platinum Series High-Power LED Module

Spyder Auto is proud to present the Platinum Series line. We have added integrated LED bulb technology directly into our housings. The light-emitting diode is also called a luminescence diode or, in short, LED. LED stands for "light-emitting diode", as it turns electrical energy into light. Physically, it is a cold light source and an electronic semiconductor component part in optoelectronics. Its conductivity lies between that of conductors (e.g. metals, water, graphite) and non-conducting materials (e.g. non-metals, glass, wood). Spyder Auto has taken existing housing as well as new designs and added LED bulbs to the Low beam and keeping halogen bulbs for the high beam to keep cost in mind.

What are LEDs and what do they consist of? Basically, an LED consists of several layers of semiconductor compounds. Semiconductors, such as silicon, are materials whose electrical conductivity lies between that of conductors, such as the metals silver and copper, and non-conducting materials (insulators) such as PTFE or quartz glass. The conductivity of semiconductors can be greatly influenced by the specific introduction of electrically effective external substances (by means of a process known as doping). The different semiconductor layers together form the LED chip. The type of structure of these layers (various semiconductors) has a crucial bearing on the luminous yield (efficiency) and light color of the LED.

Here are a few facts regarding LED technology: Service life – how temperature development affects the service life or also the light degeneration of an LED refers to the period after which the illuminating power sinks to half of its original value. The functional capability of an LED depends on several factors. The semiconductor material used is as important as the operating conditions or the degeneration of the silicon crystal. The actual value of the service life cannot be generally determined, though. While standard LEDs may last up to 100,000 hours, high-power LEDs can be used for only about a quarter to a maximum of half of that time (25,000-50,000 hours). If both diodes were to be used non-stop, they could be used continually for eleven and more than two years, respectively.

The service life greatly depends on the location and the provided current density. The higher the current flow, the more the diode heats up. This shortens the service life. The ambient temperature is also relevant for the service life, as the diode fails sooner the warmer it is in general. Basically, the intensity of the light radiation in LEDs continually decreases over time. This is an advantage, as unlike traditional lamps (incandescent bulb, halogen), an LED doesn't suddenly leave you standing in the dark. Even if the illuminating power is reduced, it normally does not suddenly fail. The plastic normally used in the lenses of LEDs gradually becomes hazy, which also affects the luminous efficiency negatively.