Incandescent vs LED Traffic Signals

[@theray2009]

I love incandescent signals, I really dislike LED modern signals

[@sandiegotrafficlightstrain354]

My personal traffic lights do not like LED filament bulbs. I've tried it and the bulbs keep dying after 2 months. I put 40 watt incandescents back in them.

[@kenytha5]

What 40 watt bulbs do you use?

[@TheTrafficTech]

Great video! Collection is still looking awesome!

[@deloreanman14]

Thank you, sir! The big reveal I had scheduled for April was obviously postponed due to COVID but I'm hoping I can make it public before this horrific year is out.

[@TheTrafficTech]

@@deloreanman14 I can't wait! I have a couple of new additions coming soon too but 2020 has put some things on hold of course.

[@mikemacheese7174]

Great video and collection. Can you tell me why 12" incandescent railroad crossing signals look dim when compared to 12" incandescent highway traffic signals? Is it because of the bulbs?

[@IdahoFox]

Always nice to see your collection videos. One thing I've been doing with my signals is a sort of mix, swapping the original incandescent bulbs in the sockets for LED bulbs. Lets me have the reduced heat and power use benefits the newer LED signal modules offer while keeping the look of the original glass reflectors and lenses. Though I do keep a few of the signal-spec incandescent ones around in case I want to use those for demonstrations and special occasions. Regarding some of the pieces in your collection, that was an interesting detail to hear regarding the vents of the ICC's reflectors. Clever indeed. As well as hearing how great of shape that Crouse-Hinds set was when you got it.

[@DeTrafficStreetBeatz]

Beautiful 🚦🚦🚦

[@Mboy245]

I do miss the incandescents. The LEDs are way more energy efficient though. I do miss the charm of the fade that the incandescents had

[@deloreanman14]

That's exactly why I keep mine the way I do. A lot of collectors I know who are into this are starting to switch their incandescent signals over to the filament style LEDs but I'll never do that.

[@bigkitty1779]

Most of the traffic lights in my city still have the yellow incandescent light. The rest of the green and red are led, though there are 2 signals with the green incandescent.

[@jessedarwich4121]

Has there ever been in instance where a crossing light (For example let's say the Harmon Fading Leds.) was used as a traffic light signal? And if so, has there been any example of it in video and/or photo?

[@deloreanman14]

I don't believe so, primarily because railroad signals run on 12 volts (DC or AC) whereas traffic signals are 120 volts AC.

[@NickBasilico]

Great walkthrough and comparison, Andrew! I always enjoy seeing your clean display. Just a small FYI - Alzak is a trademarked polishing process. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@deloreanman14]

Thanks for pointing that out to me. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving, as well!

[@sandiegotrafficlightstrain354]

From what I have seen out there, incandescent traffic light bulbs last way longer than people claim. This claim that they only last a few months is BS and that's the cheapest household incandescent bulb. A traffic light incandescent bulb can last up to 16,000 hours if on the whole time. Here in San Diego, they only replace a bulb once it has gone out and there are some bulbs in traffic lights that have actually lasted for over a decade. Then there are some LEDs out there I've seen that only lasted for about 4 to 5 years and it's usually the green light. So I think the only real benefit of LEDs is that they use less energy.

[@deloreanman14]

There are good and bad versions of everything. Some of the cheaper, off-brand signal LEDs will struggle to last more than a year or two but I know of many first-generation Dialight incandescent-look greens that have been in service for over 20 years. Most of the Dialight units Portland installed in 2008 are still running, too. That said, I also know of a handful of installs running incandescent bulbs that are still going but I'm not sure when they were last replaced.

[@thishd6596]

Are you gonna make more traffic signals! Nice collection :)

[@deloreanman14]

Thanks! I've got some more videos coming but I've hit a stopping point on purchases for now.

[@Ampelfreund]

nice! Use LED filament bulbs help a lot. :)

[@deloreanman14]

The new LED bulbs are much better but I still prefer the old fashioned bulbs. Plus I don't use my signals enough for it to make much of an impact on power usage.

[@Anon-f7f]

I would die for the LED traffic signal. There’s nothing I hate more than the incandescent signals

[@psychegamerz6495]

Cool video

[@Vandooz]

What if there were led Filament traffic lights?

[@GLOATINGMAPLE01]

Do they make LED bulbs for 3m signals

[@deloreanman14]

They do but I won't use them. They require the dimming feature to be disabled and they lack that trademark 3M 'fade' during indication changes.

[@Kasey1776]

I prefer incandescent signals, they’re much more dim then stupid blinding LED’s.

[@deloreanman14]

Heh. Stare into a yellow with a 169W bulb behind it and see if you still feel that way.

[@Kasey1776]

I know your feeling

[@ajkiel17]

you got a little bit of cooler stop lights

[@masterofreality926]

What bulbs are in there ?

[@deloreanman14]

The 8" vehicle and 9" ped signals use 69W bulbs, the 12" vehicle signals use 169W bulbs and the 3M uses a 150 watt PAR halogen lamp specifically designed for that application. There are other wattage options for signal bulbs but this is what I run as it is what the City of Portland spec'd back in the incandescent days and the higher wattage bulbs give a more pronounced fade between indications. Also, I don't use my signals enough (maybe 20-30 hours a month) for it to make a real impact on the electric bill. Jump to 15:00 for a comparison between incandescent and LED power consumption.

[@masterofreality926]

@@deloreanman14 Thanks, however I wanted to get more technical, voltage, lumens, etc. Can you link me to a catalogue ?

[@mangomadness8635]

Incandescent all the way🚦

[@Anon-f7f]

To hell with that ancient tech. LED is superior in every way, shape, and form.