Topic: LEDs (Read 26547 times)

YT · « **on:** March 15, 2014, 11:05:19 »

I've been looking at LEDs recently, seriously looking. The upshot being. The headlights have been converted to 12.5/30w Cree units, a 20" x126w Cree bar on the A bar and a 40" x200w Cree bar on the roof.
This is what all those numbers look like on the road.

http://youtu.be/mDiu7JBKqvw

Mongrel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2014, 20:23:37 »

Christ! That lights up the road ahead! So what and from where did you fit?

YT · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2014, 15:56:12 »

This is what's been fitted.

The 20" is a double row bar, the 40" is single row.
All use Cree chips (the most advanced/efficient LEDs on the market)
All sourced from eBay, the 40" was a bargain, as it was only £40 more than the 20" cost. (The 20" cost £120 from china. Free post & 4 day delivery)

Cookee · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2014, 11:32:04 »

Hi - I'm looking for a source of self contained headlights for a project, they will fit on a bull bar so need a surround as well - have you seen anything that will work as a proper dippable headlight or are they just spots?

YT · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2014, 16:06:47 »

The bars have 3 options, flood, spot, or combo, so probably won't do the job your after. The Cree halogen bulb replacement are full hi/low beam. The chips themselves line up position wise with standard halogen bulb filaments, so hit the headlight reflectors as they should to maintain beam pattern. If you went that route, any H3 headlight unit would work with your plans.
If you want a link to similar LEDs as the Crees give me a shout and I'll dig out a link. :)

LandRoger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2014, 23:46:06 »

So what apart from cost is the advantage of the LED set up ? as the light output wasn't a lot different to my Cibie super Oscar rally 4 light set up, one other thing I did notice was that the LED set up seemed more steady than the spots.

Devon-Rover · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2014, 00:27:09 »

I would assume current draw would be lower in terms of amps verses Lumen output.

That is what has attracted me to Using LEDS. although not on the scale as seen above, Maybe one day.

YT · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2014, 15:35:42 »

Low current draw/lumens output is the clincher. Both headlight units on high beam only draw 3A, both bars are on a 40A relay, but could easily get out with a 20A. The other advantage is no light flare off the bonnet, that's down to the LEDs being 6500 Kelvin colour temp, 6500K is the equivalent 'colour' as daylight, that also reduces eye strain at night. Daylight photos give a better idea of what they're like compared to halogens.
This was taken in bright sunlight.

LandRoger · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2014, 20:30:16 »

Any ideas why this kind of set up is not used by the WRC teams .?

YT · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2014, 23:06:52 »

I had been thinking the same, just last week I noticed one of the WRC teams are using a bar one their cars. Pretty sure it was Seat.

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2014, 16:21:51 »

How much were the H3/H4 headlight "bulbs" for the set then? I've been looking at fitting LED headlights but they all cost the earth and look a bit pants, I don't want/can't fit the big light bar across the front.

Got the say one thing that impressed me was how quick the main beam comes on and how steady it looked.

YT · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2014, 11:59:27 »

The units I fitted where £85, but I haven't seen them listed since. These are the next closest to them.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/390860068096?cmd=VIDESC

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2014, 10:06:42 »

Thanks, I'm saving my pocket money now.............

darwyne · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2014, 08:36:29 »

How's the quality of the China made LEDs? Been thinking of buying on ebay but I'm still skeptical if it's worth my money.

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2014, 13:51:54 »

I bought some China made HIDS and TBH they are ok, I've had some failures but they were so cheap I couldn't justify German or US made parts.

It's so heavily automated anyway that it could be made anywhere.

YT · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2014, 13:01:55 »

Quote from: darwyne on September 04, 2014, 08:36:29

How's the quality of the China made LEDs? Been thinking of buying on ebay but I'm still skeptical if it's worth my money.

Quality is good, as long as you stick to 1 basic rule, only order if it lists as Cree or Epistar. There are plenty of really cheap bars, and that's what they are, CHEAP.
I slipped up on the last 30" I ordered, it was ok, but just ok. I punted it out at cost and re ordered a Cree. The Cree was £40 more than the cheapy, but the higher quality is worth the extra, and at £112 it's still cheap for a Cree. I've just been hooked by customs for full rate duties but should still be sensible money. TBH, I'd stick with Cree.
One other thing to look for is DHL shipping. DHL clear customs in transit, so will save a LOT of customs delay, and more likely it will go through at the marked lower value. If it's on China post, parcel force pick it up UK side, then hand it to customs, that can take 9 days. They then send a letter asking for FULL purchase details & proof of cost. Once you send that back they start clearance. Once cleared, parcel force will send another letter with the amount if duties due, once that's paid they'll deliver the item. DHL will have all this done and at your door in 5-6 days.

YT · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2014, 15:43:21 »

The new 30" Cree arrived, much higher build quality and light output. :)
Thats now 90" x 450w and 51,500 lumens on the bars.

hrh_dave · « **Reply #17 on:** October 03, 2014, 12:44:50 »

Hi YT

Are you going to do another video...

Dave

YT · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2014, 16:31:36 »

Yeah, I'm just tryin to get my act together to get out after dark. I've just spent 2 months in bed after a combination of things, so hopefully ill get out soon with the GoPro.
If I'm honest, I don't know if the latest bar will be noticeable, as there's already a stupid amount of light from the bars. :)

YT · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2014, 12:03:44 »

Took a quick trip to a local byway yesterday. Wasn't what you'd call dark, but it got a lot brighter.

Quick vid.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ang8nsicJHM&feature=youtu.be

jenx169 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2014, 06:55:10 »

do you get much reflection off the bonnet?

YT · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2014, 14:19:41 »

That was my worry when I was fitting the 40 on the roof, but there's no glare at all, you can see the bonnet light up, but thats it. Think it's down to the colour of the light.

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2014, 19:29:29 »

And LEDs have a much more focussed light. In fact one of the criticisms of H$ LEDs is that they don't light up pavements or roadsigns that are out of the main focus of the lamp.

Having just been out in the Micra, I can't imagine it being much worse.

YT · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2014, 16:19:33 »

Quote from: Range Rover Blues on October 10, 2014, 19:29:29

And LEDs have a much more focussed light. In fact one of the criticisms of H$ LEDs is that they don't light up pavements or roadsigns that are out of the main focus of the lamp.

Having just been out in the Micra, I can't imagine it being much worse.

Can't say I've noticed that with the bars, the opposite in fact. They're all 30/60 degree spot/flood combos, everywhere you can see is lite up like daylight. Can't comenet on the smaller LED spots though.

Devon-Rover · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2015, 12:36:01 »

I have started small on the LED front Lighting. impressed by the amount of light but the funds pot will have to be replenished before upgrading the headlights.

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2015, 01:02:38 »

Actually, as an update I bought some LED H4 for the Micra. I took them back out, they really weren't very good.

I can't comment about any other types but all the H4 I've looked at don't have the full spread of light for the dipped beam, this leaves the opposite lane unlit on a RHD car, I also found there wasn't a bright focal spot like you get with Halogens. I've gone back to Halogens and fitted some Osram Night Breaker unlimited, they are pretty good.

The RR is still on HID, quite happy with them.

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AuthorTopic: LEDs (Read 26547 times)