What is an LED ulb and why would I need one?
Firstly, LED stands for light emitting diode. A diode is an electronic component that is usually used in the same way that a one way valve is used in a water pipe but these diodes have other properties – notably that they emit light. Unlike incandescent filament type bulbs, the light isn’t created by a filament getting hot so no heat is created and no energy is wasted. Consequently, the energy consumption of a single LED is tiny but so is the light output and the maximum voltage it can take. It’s only when you cluster them together can you put 12 or 24 volts across them and only then do you get a significant light output. In general, the more diodes in the cluster, the more light you can anticipate. The obvious advantage is that of extending your battery life for a given level of illumination. Absolutely critical if you are away from a land-line and have to get all your power from solar panels or wind generators. The other advantage is that LED’s are noted for their extremely long life
