H7 LED bulbs are used in the automotive industry. They are installed instead of halogen and xenon analogs. Light sources based on diodes in any design (H3, H7, etc.) are characterized by high radiation intensity with a minimum level of energy consumption. Therefore, they are popular.

Device and principle of operation

Bulbs with base H7 represent a group of flanged lighting elements. Usually they are used in the organization of low beam, much less often they are used as a source of high beam. In general, such bulbs are designed for installation in four-beam systems of low and high beam.

Design features of a diode lamp with an H7 base

Instead of a filament in diode lighting elements with base H7, H3 and other versions, light-emitting diodes are used. The dimensions of these lamps correspond to analogs with a filament body, therefore, the headlights will not need to be converted in case of replacement. Halogen lamps require the use of a reflector to create a directional beam. LED lighting elements function in a different way, as this type of emitter provides directional light.

Therefore, in the design of diode lamps, several crystals are provided, located in such a way as to provide a certain directionality of the glow. In different lamps (H3, H7, etc.), the focusing of light is realized in different ways.

The design of the H7 diode lamps provides for a wire with a driver, an active cooling system (radiator with a fan), an O-ring that is installed between the light source and the radiator, as well as the lamp itself based on diodes. Due to the fact that the cooling system is an independent unit and is fastened by screwing, an additional obstacle is created for the outflow of heat. Thermal grease can be used to increase the contact between the lamp and the heat sink.

Main advantages

The principle of operation of lighting elements based on diodes with a holder h3, h7 and other versions is based on the passage of an electric current through a semiconductor material. As a result, some of the electrons are knocked out of the total flux at the p-n-junction section of one of the plates and, colliding with the particles of the second plate, contributes to the formation of so-called holes. Chaotic collisions of electrons lead to the appearance of light energy, as a result, a lamp of any type (h7, h3, etc.) starts to glow.

Overview of technical specifications

The main parameters of automotive light sources of different models, including h1, h3, h7, etc.:

• power;
• light flow;
• the amount of current consumed;
• Colour temperature;
• supply voltage.

Other characteristics may be presented depending on the type of lighting element. There are only three groups of lamps with h7 base: halogen, xenon, LED. The first option from the above has several significant advantages: low cost, correct radiation spectrum.

But the main disadvantage of such models is significant heating. Xenon light sources are more resistant to vibrations, as they do not contain a filament and provide a dazzling blue-white light. But their price is relatively high, and, in addition, the installation of an ignition unit is required.

Compare popular types of diodes

If we consider LED lamps in any version (h3, h7), then the parameters also indicate the size of the emitter. For example, the diodes of the new MT-G2 series of the CREE brand are characterized by a diameter of 8 mm. Based on this information, h7 LED bulbs can be tested to determine their quality.

Today, Chinese counterfeit diode light sources are often offered with inferior performance than branded products. Most often, in such situations, the discrepancy can be identified precisely by the technical characteristics. Chinese lamps are more powerful and brighter, the diodes in them are larger in diameter in comparison with CREE crystals.

Advantages and disadvantages of diode light sources

Such emitters have much more advantages than all analogues existing today:

1. The use of solid-state light sources in the design makes the lamp as resistant to mechanical damage and vibration as possible.
2. Long service life. Well-known manufacturers, for example, CREE, indicate in their technical specifications the period of effective work up to 15,000 hours. Usually, light emitting diodes last at least twice as long. But difficult operating conditions (heating from adjacent halogen lamps, ineffective heat dissipation) shorten the operating period.
3. High luminescence intensity.
4. The minimum level of power consumption.
5. The ability to install instead of halogen counterparts without modifications.

The best solution is to operate bulbs with H7 holders, which have been installed in specially designed optics of the car. But this is only possible in later vehicle models. More often, such lamps are used instead of analogs of another type (halogens, xenon). As a result, it is often difficult to focus the light. In addition, various LED products (h3, H7, etc.) are offered at a rather high cost.

If we compare them with analogs, then halogen versions are much cheaper, but they are characterized by significant heating, which additionally contributes to a reduction in an already short service life. These bulbs use an incandescent spiral, which means they are very susceptible to vibration and shock.

Xenon versions do not contain an incandescent body, which makes them more resistant to external factors. But for their normal operation, you will need to install an ignition unit. This confirms that in many parameters diode light sources (h3, h7, etc.) are superior to other types of lamps.

What to look for when choosing

First of all, you should study the characteristics of the product:

• luminous flux - determines the level of brightness of the light;
• color temperature - will provide the required degree of lighting comfort;
• power;
• life time;
• supply voltage (12V, 24V), the presence of a driver makes the lamp universal;
• type and brand of diodes;
• compliance of the model, dimensions and base with the parameters of the optics of the car.

To ensure a sufficient level of brightness (1000-2000 lumens when choosing high-quality CREE diodes), the emitter power must be quite high - at least 12 watts. Therefore, the design provides for a radiator that allows you to effectively remove heat from the diodes. The glow temperature can vary from 4000 to 6000 K.

The price of the issue

Most of the offered LED lamps of different types (h3, h7, etc.) do not always provide lighting of the required quality, which is especially surprising, since the product was selected based on its parameters. The fact is that only a few manufacturers guarantee full compliance with the declared and actual capabilities of lighting products. Among them: CREE, Osram, Philips, Narva.

In terms of lighting performance, the best option is Philips Luxeon MZ LED

The cost of such products varies from 500 rubles to 8,000 rubles. depending on the parameters of the product. Accordingly, more efficient models are more expensive. But the service life of lamps h3, h7 and other versions will be longer when compared with cheap counterparts. Such light sources are characterized by reliability and high crystal quality.

Testing of different versions of diode lamps has shown that in a number of parameters the leaders are CREE and Philips products of different lines. In terms of lighting performance, the best option is Philips Luxeon MZ lamps. Their price is quite high, but they provide very bright light (on par with xenon) with a warm hue. And there are no focusing problems during installation. But in such lamps, a rather large radiator is provided.

CREE XM-L2 diode lamps also provide bright light similar to xenon, are offered at an affordable price, have good focus. But there are also disadvantages, in particular, the cold shade of the radiation even in the standard version of the light bulb. In both considered options, only a few diodes (2-3 pcs.) Are provided.