TRP Offers LED Lighting for School Buses

RENTON, Wash., Oct. 17, 2012 — TRP now offers a special line of LED lighting products manufactured for use in school buses.

“For school districts, it’s particularly important to focus on safety and mitigate costs by using long-lasting replacement parts in bus fleets. TRP LED lights are brighter and easier to see than incandescent lights, and they’re tested for durability and long service life,” said Jeff Hughes, TRP development manager.

The manufacturing process for light emitting diode (LED) products uses ultraviolet resistant polycarbonate lenses and a high diode count, which results in stop, turn and tail lamps that offer better visibility. “It also makes the bus chassis marker lights easier for motorists and children to spot on dark streets and roads,” Hughes said.

The circuitry on TRP LEDs is compact and uses 85 percent less electrical power than equivalent incandescent lamps, which means bus operators and school district maintenance shops can add additional lights without overtaxing the electrical system. Since the diodes are mechanically connected to the light’s foundation and not soldered on, LEDs don’t have the issues associated with the intense heat generated during the soldering process.

“The circuit board effectively dissipates heat from the diode producing a more intense light without risking damage to the diode. In fact, if a TRP LED lamp were left on constantly for a full 100,000 hours, it would still meet safety regulations for brightness after 10 years,” Hughes said.

TRP LEDs have no filament to break and the lens and housing are completely sealed, keeping dust and water out. Durable polycarbonate makes the lenses resistant to impact damage.

TRP offers LED lights that can be fitted on buses made by most leading manufacturers including Blue Bird, New Flyer, Thomas Built and IC Bus. The lights come in a variety of colors including clear (white), red, amber, and green, as well as blue and purple for interior lighting. TRP LED lights will not fade or change color over time and are provided with a 10-year limited warranty.

Tips for Retrofitting School Buses with LED Lighting
Generally, any standard incandescent light can be replaced with an LED lamp of the same kind. For example, any 4-inch round stop, turn and tail light can be replaced with an LED lamp that’s the same size.

“Since LED lights look very different from incandescent lights, school bus operators and school districts will get the best results if they replace them in groups, for example: all tail lights, all clearance lights or all bus chassis marker lights,” Hughes said.

TRP Parts
TRP parts for trucks, trailers and buses are available through authorized retailers that include Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF dealerships around the world. Supported by a worldwide network of parts and service professionals, TRP offers dependable aftermarket products that are designed and tested to exceed customers’ expectations for quality and value. Regardless of the age, make or application of the vehicle, TRP is the all-makes answer. For more information, visit the TRP web site.