Optronics Launches Two Four-Inch Round LED Lamps

Optronics has launched two four-inch round surface-mount LED lamps with reflective mounting flanges designed for trailers.

The STL201XRFHXB surface-mount Fusion four-inch round LED stop, tail, turn and backup lamp has a unique optical design to set it apart from other lamps. The STL13RFHXB surface-mount four-inch round LED stop, tail, and turn lamp is the first designed for heavy-duty trailer applications. Both lamps feature Optronics' new reflective conspicuity mounting flange.

At .79-inches thick, the Fusion four-inch round LED stop, tail, turn and backup lamp combines lamp functions reducing further the need for mounting holes. The even lower-profile .75-inch surface-mount four-inch round LED stop, tail, and turn lamp gives heavy-duty trailer manufacturers their first surface-mount option for this key class of lamps, according to Optronics.

Both lamps feature a high-visibility reflective mounting flange that helps others on the road to detect the presence, size, and shape of a vehicle, whether its lamps are operating or not.

The STL201XRFHXB surface-mount Fusion four-inch round LED stop, tail, turn and backup lamp and the new STL13RFHXB surface-mount four-inch round LED stop, tail, and turn lamp are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2018.

The lamps meet all FMVSS 108 and CMVSS 108 photometric requirements for visibility and safety. Lenses and housings are made of tough polycarbonate material that is sonically welded. The lamps employ a solid-state, surface-mount device (SMD) design that protects their electronics against moisture, shock and vibration.

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Working longer may make more sense than saving more earlier in life. A new NBER paper says delaying retirement by 3 to 6 months leads to the same standard of living in retirement as saving an additional one-percentage point over 30 years. Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith, Rick Newman and Dion Rabouin discuss.

Controversial Glider Kit Environmental Study Comes Under Fire

A study that played a key role in a recent EPA proposal to roll back glider kit restrictions has come under fire by the faculty of the Tennessee unversity that conducted it. Photo: Tom Berg

A Tennessee Technical University study that was funded by Fitzgerald Glider Kits and played a key role in reintroducing a glider kit loophole to the 2017 greenhouse gas regulations is being called into question by the faculty of TTU, who say that the questionable study hurts the reputation of the university.

After the Environmental Defense Fund attacked the study's credibility earlier this year, the faculty of TTU requested an investigation into the study from the university president Phil Oldham that would submit the study to peer review, according to a report in the Herald Citizen. The study was conducted by TTU's associate vice president of research Tom Brewer, who the faculty asked to be suspended pending the investigation's outcome.

In addition to funding the research, Fitzgerald announced around the same time period in late 2017 that it would be building a new academic research center for TTU.

In the TTU faculty's request to investigate the University's study, it stated, “Our reputation and integrity as an institution and, by extension, the faculty, staff and students, are two of the most valuable assets of the university. Our reputation has recently been damaged because of a study funded by Fitzgerald Glider Kits and used to influence federal policy.”

The study in question purported to show that glider kits would not have a significant environmental impact and may actually pollute less than modern engines, going against an Obama-era EPA study that determined the opposite. The TTU study was used by Fitzgerald when it petitioned the EPA for the repeal of regulations restricting the use of glider ...Read the rest of this story

Kenworth, Peterbilt Trucks Recalled for Transmission Gear Display

Photo of Peterbilt 567 courtesy of Paccar.

Paccar Inc. is recalling approximately 1,938 2017-2018 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks as well as Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks equipped with an automated Eaton UltraShift Plus or Eaton Advantage transmission with a right hand stalk shifter because the transmission gear display may display incorrectly.

For example, the display can indicate Neutral when the driver set the shifter into Drive or Reverse, which results in the failure of the truck to move. A vehicle that does not move as expected can increase the risk of an accident.

To rectify the problem, Paccar will notify owners and dealers will install a complementary transmission software update. The recall is expected to begin on April 2. Truck owners can reach Kenworth customer service at (435) 828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at (940) 591-4000. Paccar's reference number for the Kenworth recall is 18KWA; the manufacturer's reference number for the Peterbilt recall is 118-A.

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Tesla's Amazon cloud account was hacked and used to mine cryptocurrency (TSLA)

Tesla's Amazon Web Services account was hacked to mine cryptocurrency. The hack, which was first brought to Tesla's attention by the cybersecurity startup RedLock, also exposed some of Tesla's proprietary data related to mapping, telemetry, and vehicle servicing. Tesla said it believes the hack was limited to the company's test cars and did not affect any vehicles owned by its customers.

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