Introduction to Globes

Britax have a range of globes to suit a massive variety of applications. Globe types include incandescent, modern quartz halogen and the latest in lighting technology: high intensity discharge (HID) systems complete with two HID globes, starters and high-tech control ballasts.
Below is a brief overview of these different varieties of globe, along with the variations available within some of the product lines:

Quartz Halogen (QH) Globes

Quartz halogen globes are essentially the same concept as an incandescent globe, except for a few differences: quartz halogen globes use quartz glass instead of standard glass for the globe, and instead of a vacuum the globe is filled with the inert gas argon and a small amount of a halogen such as iodine or bromine. The combination of the halogen and the tungsten filament produces a chemical reaction that prevents particles from the filament depositing on the glass and instead deposits them back onto the filament iteslf. This process increases the lifetime of the globe, prevents the darkening of the glass with tungsten deposits, and allows the globe to operate at much higher temperatures without affecting the power output or life of the globe. These globes also glow slightly whiter colour temperature than standard globes and all feature UV cut quartz glass that are safe for use in modern polycarbonate headlights.

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Systems

The Xray Vision range of HID systems provide HID lighting output similar to that found in many prestige vehicle headlights. The globe consists of two electrodes feeding into a glass tube that has a central bulb filled with Xenon gas and metal halide salts. To make the globe function there is also a starter and an electronic ballast. The starter charges to 23,000 volts to ignite the gap between the electrodes in the globe, and then the ballast regulates the voltage and current back to 85 volts to keep the arc running. The arc running through the metal halide salts creates a plasma discharge that glows a bright white (available in 4200K, 5000K and 6000K) that is very similar to the colour of daylight.
Advantages of HID lighting systems over quartz halogen are as follows:
• HID globes produce over three times the output of a standard
55 watt QH headlight globe
• HID globes only use 35 or 50 watts compared to QHs running 55 watts
• HID globes have no filament to break so are therefore much more resilient to vibration, physical shock and temperature changes
• HID globes have a lifespan of 2000 hours—about ten times longer than a standard QH globe
• HID globes glow much whiter than standard QH globes allowing the driver’s eyes to relax and better focus on the road ahead

Tungsram Megalight Performance Range

The new Tungsram Megalight range of performance upgrade quartz halogen globes are designed to provide superior light output and light colour over standard headlight globes—without using any additional power and remaining E marked and legal for use on Australian roads. These performance globes use a heavier duty filament that is thicker, stronger and has additional turns, have a superior mix of gases including Xenon, argon and crypton—all at much higher pressure, and also higher quality silica glass that is stronger and thicker to cope with the increase in temperature and pressure. The globe range is available in trade style boxes or in display ready retail packaging. Available globe types include H1, H3, H4 and H7. See opposite for an overview of the range including an application guide.

Incandescent Globes

Incandescent light globes consist of a filament (or two) inside a glass bulb that is vacuum sealed. The glass bulb prevents oxygen from reaching the hot filament and destroying it through oxidation. The globe works by passing electric current through the thin filament, causing it to heat and produce light. These globes come in a variety of different types and wattages for different vehicle operations or other applications.

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