LED Headlights?? (Page 3/6)
lorennerol JUN 08, 03:16 PM
One thing about LED headlights that I hadn't considered: They don't get warm like a sealed beam or halogen headlight, so can accumulate snow if driven in very cold temps when snowing. Not an issue in Seattle, but something to consider if your car is a year-round driver in snow country.
BoxerFanatic JUN 08, 03:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by lorennerol:

One thing about LED headlights that I hadn't considered: They don't get warm like a sealed beam or halogen headlight, so can accumulate snow if driven in very cold temps when snowing. Not an issue in Seattle, but something to consider if your car is a year-round driver in snow country.



I figured most Fiero owners kept their cars neatly and safely garaged in the winter...

But that 8900 Evo 2 does have a heated version, with a wire grid heater on the lens, to keep it clear in freezing weather.
theogre JUN 08, 07:20 PM
JW Speaker 9800 or anything like it won't be legal in park/turn opening because below Min Height for HL in most places. HL must be above Bumper level of vehicle.
Mounted there can get you stopped as having Fog/Driver light on w/o LB HL on in many places. Some states farther restrict Fog/Driver lights use to driving in Fog or other bad weather.


quote
Originally posted by BoxerFanatic:
I figured most Fiero owners kept their cars neatly and safely garaged in the winter...
But that 8900 Evo 2 does have a heated version, with a wire grid heater on the lens, to keep it clear in freezing weather.

You figured wrong on many owners. Many drive all year unless state etc call snow emergency and force off the road.

Snow blocking problem isn't just Lakes States or New England and Canada... Even Halogen and others can be "blinded" for a while or stay "blind" depending on weather and roads.
Heavy often Wet snow trying to block HL and Windows Wipers even in Va, VW, MD, southern PA, etc depending storms path.
Sleet/slush can freeze easy many times too. Even a thin coat of clear ice can majorly hurt HL Output. Road slush is often full of crap and even wet can reduce output a lot.
Fiero park/turn opening full of crap isn't only car/truck w/ same problem. Trim around park/turn and/or HL fixtures on many other old cars can do same thing driving in winter. Is better now w/ aero fixtures but can still happen to many w/ them.
JohnyWalter MAY 27, 05:52 AM
Many people will say that replacing a halogen headlight with an LED headlight in a reflector housing is a mistake. While it’s true that the reflector housing is not designed for other types of lights, LEDs can actually perform much better than most people think. It’s not as simple as plugging in an LED, though. There is one extra (but easy) step. I just replaced my halogen lights with LEDs, and the first thing I noticed is that the beam was too high, exactly what people said would happen. Luckily, most cars have a screw to adjust the height of the headlights. I was searching for my replacement here - https://10carbest.com/led-headlights-bulbs

[This message has been edited by JohnyWalter (edited 05-30-2019).]

Tony Kania MAY 27, 10:49 AM
The top of my Fiero sits at 44" tall. I want to be the brightest thing on the road at night.

theogre MAY 27, 12:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by JohnyWalter:
Many people will say that replacing a halogen headlight with an LED headlight in a reflector housing is a mistake. While it’s true that the reflector housing is not designed for other types of lights, LEDs can actually perform much better than most people think. It’s not as simple as plugging in an LED, though. There is one extra (but easy) step. I just replaced my halogen lights with LEDs, and the first thing I noticed is that the beam was too high, exactly what people said would happen. Luckily, most cars have a screw to adjust the height of the headlights.

Another sucker to buy garbage from China. They laugh at you all the way to the bank for products often won't last a year.

DIY Adjusting Aim means little to nothing and still have illegal lights in many countries.
If your country uses headlight aiming machines and/or actually look a bulb type as part of Vehicle Inspections you'll likely fail.
In many countries, the Police can stop you for illegal lights causing you to get big fines and Points too. Points are often far worse because often causes Insurance problems and if have too many can suspend your license. If you drive in other countries, can make you a target for police to stop you with Netherlands tags and iffy lights.

Video above is only the tip of the iceberg of problems using LEDs in Halogen Shells because it only shows 1 short term failure that's very common.
Very Short version... LED is mounted on a very thin aluminum part that cannot remove heat fast enough no matter how big the heat sink is on the back of unit even with the fan. LEDs then runs over the heat limit and die quickly. Is Same problem as CPU in your machine with heat sink problems. Even a CPU with a dirty heatsink can throttle the clock to a crawl or crash to prevent damage but LED "Upgrades" just die for overheating. Not just Headlight "upgrades..." Most "CANBUS Friendly" units can cook the LEDs too or worse because of the built in resistors... Smokin' hot CANbus LED lamps. (230C in open air.) from same guy.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 05-27-2019).]

theogre MAY 27, 01:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by Tony Kania:
The top of my Fiero sits at 44" tall. I want to be the brightest thing on the road at night.

But this doesn't have to = to having crap lights.
I have better Legal HL then OE Halogen and also check/fix wiring to them. Crap wiring will cause even stock HL to dim or even burn up things like HL Main and Dimmer Switches.
I have 2357 rear light on my notchie too. Bright side is a bit brighter and turns on faster then 2057 and 1157 but doesn't cause headaches. But Don't use them w/ rear amber turn lights for GT because may blind drivers behind you and cops may stop you too.

You can get Legal LED and HB2 HL but most HL "upgrades" sold thru TFS Ebay etc are Illegal or even Counterfeit w/ fake DOT and Ecode marks.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 05-27-2019).]

stickboy MAY 30, 10:55 AM

quote
Originally posted by Domtech:

For LED, these are the ones you want: http://a.co/0SCBh70

Direct fit, correct wiring, wont blind people, nice and bright...
Little pricey, but worth it.



This is what I have. Great cut-off and very bright
Spadesluck MAY 30, 03:43 PM
Just going to add my experience here. This is what I purchased recently LED and they work great. I am happy with my purchase. I can also say that the difference between the stockers and these is huge, much better visibility.

[This message has been edited by Spadesluck (edited 02-16-2021).]

olejoedad MAY 30, 04:24 PM
Silver Star halogen provide plenty of light at legal speeds.