Topic: LED Lights

[Mozman68]

I'm sure having the light 3ft off the ground doesn't help much.  I think that's the main reason I get flashed.

Hah...maybe....but I actually adjusted them slightly low to compensate without giving up being level for my high beams. Driving an appropriate distance behind a regular sedan, the beam line sits right at the top of the rear deck line....doesn't even get to the eye level.

But doesn't matter as the brightness is overwhelming for most...they can't tell the difference.

[sharpxmen]

Moz, then the headlights have too much bleed (above the cutover line), they shouldn't, try with a good led flashlight - if it's 10 deg to the side it won't bother you (of course at some distance as in 10 to 15 feet or so).

[Mozman68]

I wish I could explain it better...there is a YouTube video that compares the Speaker to the TruckLITE and shows it pretty well. The lights have an incredible cutoff and a perfect upper right taper as one would expect from a US spec lens.   I'll try to take a pic of it against my garage wall later.

The effect is something I have experienced with LED lights on other cars...really more of an optical illusion due to the brightness/color of the lights.

[Mozman68]

Here's the video that convinced me to go with the JW Speaker lights.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/BZ1ivy90gZU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/BZ1ivy90gZU</a>

[sharpxmen]

that's cool, i can see the love for those

but $800  (i looked for YJ and they're $1000+ oops)

[Jeffy]

that's cool, i can see the love for those

but $800  (i looked for YJ and they're $1000+ oops)

That's my problem with LED's as well.  I can see spending $300 but not $600 each.  I think I'll just wait for laser headlights.  Lasers trump LED's. 

[sharpxmen]

I was looking at HIDs today in a local store - $80 for a hi/lo beam H4 set (with motor to move the lamp and not dual HID for low and incandescent for hi beam) but i need housings. Comes with boxes/balasts - i'm tempted if i find decent housings, i don't like the clear lens ones, they're cheap but they also look cheap. I'll check amazon for Cibie or Hella.

[Jeffy]

I was looking at HIDs today in a local store - $80 for a hi/lo beam H4 set (with motor to move the lamp and not dual HID for low and incandescent for hi beam) but i need housings. Comes with boxes/balasts - i'm tempted if i find decent housings, i don't like the clear lens ones, they're cheap but they also look cheap. I'll check amazon for Cibie or Hella.

Those one are always iffy though.  They really need the whole package to work properly.

[sharpxmen]

Those one are always iffy though.  They really need the whole package to work properly.

what do you mean by the whole package?

i looked at the bulbs, they seem to be designed properly as there's a part that blocks the light from hitting the bottom of the reflector for low beam, switching to high beam would move the bulb back and over an opening that would allow the light to hit the bottom as well. the other cheaper versions have an H1 like halogen bulb under the HID one for high beam (mounted on the same H4 holder). I've seen a conversion kit with a spherical lense (if that's what you're referring to) but it's high in price just like the LED ones so no go there either.

[Jeffy]

what do you mean by the whole package?

i looked at the bulbs, they seem to be designed properly as there's a part that blocks the light from hitting the bottom of the reflector for low beam, switching to high beam would move the bulb back and over an opening that would allow the light to hit the bottom as well. the other cheaper versions have an H1 like halogen bulb under the HID one for high beam (mounted on the same H4 holder). I've seen a conversion kit with a spherical lense (if that's what you're referring to) but it's high in price just like the LED ones so no go there either.

A finished product  ie. not DIY.  Hella and the Cibie are designed around the H4 bulb. They don't work so well when you start trying to shove HID in there.  This is why most kits aren't SAE or DOT compliant.  They may use Phillips ballasts but there's a lot more that goes into those lights then just the ballasts.

I think you'd be better off using a clear housing and have a projector mounted inside.  Then all the housing is used for is mounting the light.  Problem with many of those types of housings is that they're cheaply made though.  Those many of those don't have high beams in which case you'd need to run a separate light.

Honestly though you're better off running H4's and some aux lights.  You won't be limited to 5x7 either.

[sharpxmen]

A finished product  ie. not DIY.  Hella and the Cibie are designed around the H4 bulb. They don't work so well when you start trying to shove HID in there.  This is why most kits aren't SAE or DOT compliant.  They may use Phillips ballasts but there's a lot more that goes into those lights then just the ballasts.

I think you'd be better off using a clear housing and have a projector mounted inside.  Then all the housing is used for is mounting the light.  Problem with many of those types of housings is that they're cheaply made though.  Those many of those don't have high beams in which case you'd need to run a separate light.

Honestly though you're better off running H4's and some aux lights.  You won't be limited to 5x7 either.

yeah, you're probably right, dropping it for now, maybe just get some HIDs for my 7'' projectors I am planning to install (those are H1 i think).