The latest word in the field of LED auto lighting - innovative series of auto lamps Sparkle-II and Sparkle-III from the famous Russian manufacturing company DLED!

LED lamps W5W represent a separate group of lighting devices, which is designed for installation in a car (headlights, interior, etc.). it compact sources light, which are characterized by a very high radiation intensity and are characterized by a not too complicated design. Their scope is quite wide, however, the main direction of use can be distinguished - tuning various vehicles.

Principle of operation and features of use

Such light bulbs are used in various units of auto and motorcycle equipment. Their main task is to modernize the existing lighting system, increase its functionality, and, accordingly, its efficiency. W5W sources can be installed in the cabin, trunk, used to illuminate license plates, side panels.

But more often they are used in the organization of the overall illumination of the vehicle, in the rear and cornering headlights.

W5W bulbs have another name - baseless, which is explained by the design features. So, unlike the usual modifications of LED light sources with a standard holder, the versions in question are equipped with a plastic two-pin T10 connector.

Depending on the version, the configuration of the light source itself may vary (number of diodes, their location). There are models with an annular and longitudinal installation of emitters.

Various shapes with w5w plinth

The principle of operation of any LED lamp is based on the conversion of electrical energy into the equivalent of light. Implemented this process by passing current through a semiconductor p-n junction.

In low-power lighting elements, a resistor is usually used, which acts as a limiter, but does not contribute to the stabilization of operation.

In reality, as well as schematically, a W5W lighting element with a T10 holder looks like this:

The quality of the work of such light sources directly depends on their device. The longest operating versions are those with a current stabilizer, which provides more stable work lamps, excluding increased heat.

Characteristics of W5W light sources

Diode lamps with a T10 holder differ in several main parameters:

1. Power. The range is represented by models with different levels loads, but almost all of them are characterized by low power consumption (no more than 10 W).
2. The supply voltage can vary from 9 to 24 V.
3. The number and type of radiators is determined by the execution. Both parameters affect the quality of light.
4. Light flow. The more diodes provided, as well as the more powerful each of them, the more intense the radiation will be.
5. Holder type - T10 (regardless of the version of the light bulb).
6. Dimensions.
7. The shape of the light source is determined by the number of diodes. For example, there are the simplest models with a single emitter, they are equipped with a transparent diffuser and look like an incandescent lamp. of this type. And there are more powerful versions in which the diodes are installed in a longitudinal or annular way.
8. Illumination color - depends on the purpose of the light source. Functional lighting is provided by single-color white light bulbs, while T10 decorative lighting elements are presented in a wide range of shades (green, red, orange, etc.).

Kit specifications determines the level of efficiency of the lamp, and therefore will affect the cost of the product. The simplest designs are offered at the most affordable prices.

For example, a W5W bulb model with a T10 holder, equipped with just one low-power diode, can cost several tens of rubles, while the most functional versions are offered many times more expensive.

Main pros and cons

The advantages of W5W T10 type bulbs are many:

• high intensity of work due to the use of diode emitters in the design;
• efficiency, due to the minimum power level (several watts);
• long-term operation, much longer than all existing analogues;
• minimum power consumption reduces the load on the car battery;
• a large selection of designs that are different in terms of basic parameters, as well as in lighting shade;
• increased strength characteristics, which makes T10 bulbs resistant to mechanical damage, vibrations.

The disadvantages of such lighting elements are much less. The most significant of them:

1. A rather high cost, which is offset by long-term operation, since the light source will quickly pay off, especially if car lighting works regularly and for a long time.
2. Some models use a current limiter (resistor) instead of the prescribed stabilizer (driver).

As seen, LED lamp T10 is gradually conquering the market, despite the relatively high cost.

Selection Options

The main task of the vehicle owner is to determine the node where you want to install a light source. Based on this, the desired design is selected, because W5W bulbs are represented by a wide range of design options. Next, the desired intensity is determined luminous flux, which will be affected by the purpose of the light source.

This parameter also depends on the power of the diodes, their type and number. Then a model with a suitable shade of lighting is selected.

The type of holder for W5W bulbs is always the same - T10. We must not forget about the brand of the product, since the duration of operation may depend on this. This state of affairs is explained by the degradation of the crystal, which means that the intensity of the light flux, after a certain period of time, will be lower.

Thus, when choosing an LED light source, you must simultaneously consider whole line parameters (almost all the main ones specified by the manufacturer). Not all light bulbs of this type are offered at high price. However, you should not pay attention to the cheapest versions, since in this case there is a risk of acquiring low-quality crystals. The most famous and reliable manufacturers: Osram, Philips.

The parcel went for a long time (a little more than a month), and the postmarks show that the seller packed the parcel in the evening of the same day when the order was made.

Packaging (if interested)

The protective cap is held on by a couple of drops of glue from the side where the cap touches the board. Time will tell how reliable this connection is.

The second good news was that the lamp had already installed led driver(or a current stabilizer or a power stabilizer - as you like). This could be guessed from the seller's picture, but at that time I did not pay attention to it (I still planned to install my own driver).

When tested at various voltages, the lamp always consumed the same power - about 1.4W (with plus / minus, about which a little later)


If the photo is hard to see - at a voltage of 7.24V (this is, by the way, the lower threshold for turning on the current stabilizer - below the stabilizer stops working and the brightness of the LEDs starts to decrease) the current is 188 mA (1.36W), at a voltage of 12V the current is 116mA (1.39W), 14.3V – 100mA (1.43W), 20V-81mA (1.62W). The increase in power consumption, in my opinion, is caused by a "trick" for the car's CAN bus - the installed resistances at the lamp input.

But the most pleasant news was waiting for me later: when the lamp is heated, the current consumption decreases by several milliamps. Have Chinese engineers finally thought of thermal stabilization? And all this for just over $1?
After half an hour of operation, the lamp could still be held in hands.

Now about the actual glow: the lamp shines at the level of a standard w5w lamp. White color (which is important - without a bluish tint) seems a little brighter, yellow - a little dimmer (the color resembles ordinary lamp incandescent). I read somewhere that this is a subjective assessment: we are used to the fact that the white color corresponds to a hotter filament and seems brighter to us. I don’t have a device for accurately measuring the luminous flux, and is it necessary for such lamps? A subjective assessment is enough - they shine no worse than usual, while consuming several times less energy (1.4W versus 5W).
I think I finally found my lamps. Well, it will be possible to say about their working time only after the lapse of time. They passed the 6-hour test on the power supply successfully, and I will try to write later how they will behave in the car over time.

Briefly about the pros and cons:
+ the presence of a built-in driver;
+ the presence of a diode bridge at the input (you can turn it on without thinking about the polarity)
+ thermal stabilization (bold plus)
+ the seller does not pull with the shipment.
- sent by trackless parcel. You can choose other shipping options, but for a fee.
- not sealed flask. If the cap ever comes off, I'm in for a lot of fun when pulling it out of the headlight unit. However, the standard one can burst, and getting the fragments is much worse.

All the best! The cat hid under the sofa and flatly refused to pose.