L.e.d. Christmas Trees?

[TomoHawk]

Everybody knows how fast the l.e.d.lights pop on when you hit the switch. Do you think they will replace the incandescent christmas tree lamps (at the drag strip) with l.e.d. lamps? When I think of the 'reaction speed,' I think that since the bulbs takes so long to come on, you can only guess or anticipate the timing for the start.

thx

[Bambikiller240]

I am not sure, but they may have already done that. A couple of years ago the NHRA modified and upgraded the timing system and christmas tree that they use for National events. It really messed up some of the drivers for a while. It used to be that they considered a .400/sec. reaction time as perfect. Now perfect is .000/sec. (where it belongs)

[Inf]

Viewing angle.

[Bambikiller240]

Viewing angle.

That hasn't stopped their use in traffic signals, I doubt it would be (or is) a problem.

[beandip]

with the ''tree ''at the drags , its only about timing to the green light. think about it guys the yellow is only to time when the green light comes on. Having a quicker light would be of no advantage . If you wanted that just eliminate on light! HELLO

[TomoHawk]

If the viewing angle is a problem, why is Will trying hard to find a good l.e.d to use on the cars? Or they wouldn't be using them for brake lights and turn signals on buses, trucks, etc.

Like Carl said, they probably already addressed it, probably during the design phase.

[TomoHawk]

its only about timing to the green light.

That's the basic idea, but each light is exactly 0.5 seconds apart as well as to the green light, and the times are all recorded to .001 seconds. So you want that last yellow to turn on a fast as it can so you can hit the start exactly on time, even though people are used to doing it the 'old way' with the bulbs.

It's just a better way, because ithe tree is the only thing that hasn't been upgraded as much as the rest of the track or timimg equipment.

[Bambikiller240]

with the ''tree ''at the drags , its only about timing to the green light. think about it guys the yellow is only to time when the green light comes on. Having a quicker light would be of no advantage . If you wanted that just eliminate on light! HELLO

It's all about how quickly you see the AMBER light. If you see green, you've lost the race 99 times out of 100. Ever hear of a hole-shot or a REDLIGHT??

If anyone cares to read about the changes NHRA implemented 2YEARS AGO that include amber LED's (which "illuminate quicker, by about three-hundredths of a second, than the incandescent lights":

http://www.nhra.com/2003/news/January/013104.html

They didn't improve the lighting system to give ANYONE an advantage, it's about using modern technology to minimize problems and to belong to the 21st century. HELLO

[TomoHawk]

Yoou might consider the alternative Pro style tree where all the amber lights go on for 0.4 seconds, then the green. Having them pop on faster would help you time the green. Having three slow amber lights isn't so bad for the ameteur tree because you can get the feel for the cadence and thus hit the green right on, hopefully.

thx

[Bambikiller240]

I'm only posting about PRO (NHRA style, the REAL DEAL Racing) Drag Racing, where they have 1 AMBER, and 1 GREEN, period. I couldn't care less what is done on the podunk local tracks around the country (including the one closest to me)

[TomoHawk]

WOW-

I never thought that the vibrations from the thunder of the cars was vibrating the bulbs to death, which is why NHRA switched to l.e.ds for the pro races. I kinda forgot how loud it is near the start line; another reason for a helmet-- hearing protection.

thx

[TomoHawk]

I used to think that you could just watch the last (only) amber light and as soon as you see it start to go out, you gofor the gas, but I think i'd have to do some timing on myself to see how long it takes to go from brake to gas, get the torque converter spooled up, (or let the clutch out without stalling the engine) and get the car moving. I used to know what the brake-gas time was.