LED Headlights
Discussion
Ok so here's another idea that's cheaper than fitting Lupos in the Mk3 conversion, and gets rid of the overly deep & no rear access mounting bowl issue. This time the idea is to use the Wipac SVX multi angle free form reflector and the later Land Rover Defender half bowl mounts.
The half bowls will allow rear access to the bulb, the only challenge would be to ensure you can adjust the lights from the rear. This should be pretty straightforward if I copy what TVR did with on the Mk1/2 system using springs over screws tightened or loosened with rear facing wing nuts.
These Wipac SVX multi angle & clear lens reflector units mounted with half bowls in a Mk3 headlight conversion will look almost exactly the same as the original Mk3 headlights that use the Golf Mk1 light units.
Unlike the Lupo lights the Wipac SVX are still a proper round 7" unit that would be mounted in the same place as the original Mk3 vertical position under the perspex faired covers just like the Mk1 Golf units TVR used.
The advantage with the being the Wipac SVX multi angle free form reflector should serve up 30% more light even with standard incandescent bulbs.
Add the gen 4 LED 4000 lumen bulbs and not only will it look very much the same as any other Mk3 Chimaera, it'll also give by far the very best light output too.
I do still like the advantages of the Lupo's fully sealed unit design and properly engineered adjusters though, here's the best image of a Chimarea with Lupo headlights under faired perspex covers.
Obviously this is the Steve Edwards conversion with the broad black edging but to me it works really well and gives us a good idea what I'll end up with using Lupo headlight units on my original style Mk3 conversion.
Lupo's with the Mk3 conversion and these new gen 4 LED H4s seem like the perfect solution, I guess the final decision to use the Lupo units will all come down to cost in the end
The half bowls will allow rear access to the bulb, the only challenge would be to ensure you can adjust the lights from the rear. This should be pretty straightforward if I copy what TVR did with on the Mk1/2 system using springs over screws tightened or loosened with rear facing wing nuts.
These Wipac SVX multi angle & clear lens reflector units mounted with half bowls in a Mk3 headlight conversion will look almost exactly the same as the original Mk3 headlights that use the Golf Mk1 light units.
Unlike the Lupo lights the Wipac SVX are still a proper round 7" unit that would be mounted in the same place as the original Mk3 vertical position under the perspex faired covers just like the Mk1 Golf units TVR used.
The advantage with the being the Wipac SVX multi angle free form reflector should serve up 30% more light even with standard incandescent bulbs.
Add the gen 4 LED 4000 lumen bulbs and not only will it look very much the same as any other Mk3 Chimaera, it'll also give by far the very best light output too.
I do still like the advantages of the Lupo's fully sealed unit design and properly engineered adjusters though, here's the best image of a Chimarea with Lupo headlights under faired perspex covers.
Obviously this is the Steve Edwards conversion with the broad black edging but to me it works really well and gives us a good idea what I'll end up with using Lupo headlight units on my original style Mk3 conversion.
Lupo's with the Mk3 conversion and these new gen 4 LED H4s seem like the perfect solution, I guess the final decision to use the Lupo units will all come down to cost in the end
GTRene said:
personally I'm not such fan of the to modern? looking Lupo lights...
the other option I like better, a bit more ala mk3 chimaera and a bit more classic/timeless look.
the other option I like better, a bit more ala mk3 chimaera and a bit more classic/timeless look.
NickM450 said:
I just like the standard look, not the performance though :/
I think I'll just chuck a set of these new style LED bulbs in and see what happens. My reflectors are very good anyway so don't want to disturb them until I need to.
I'm inclined to agree guys, the Golf Mk1 headlight used in the Mk3 Chimaera conversion is a pretty good example of a fluted lens unit assuming a quality Hella or Cibie brand is used.I think I'll just chuck a set of these new style LED bulbs in and see what happens. My reflectors are very good anyway so don't want to disturb them until I need to.
Once it has two of these 4000 lumen LED bulbs in there I really dont think the light output will disappoint, in summary it's probably best just to keep it looking original Mk3 Chimaera rather than trying to be too clever with Lupos or free form reflectors.
I think in this case I'll stick to the principles of "KISS" - Keep It Simple Stupid
Tyre Tread said:
I've manager top get a rough first fitting on the 7" lights with the 3d printed cradle.
Just in the process of feeding back and amending the CAD file and hoping I might have a solution in next couple of weeks.
Anyone else got access to a 3d printer?
No but wait til I have a bad back night and you might find I've bought one ...Just in the process of feeding back and amending the CAD file and hoping I might have a solution in next couple of weeks.
Anyone else got access to a 3d printer?
Wow, that was fast.
Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
ChimpOnGas said:
Wow, that was fast.
Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
Are you thinking about a car boot sale selling LED lights Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
ChimpOnGas said:
Wow, that was fast.
Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
Keen to see the results, fancy a set to try with my Golf hella units.Ordered from the far east on Friday 27th - arrived in Hertfordshire today!
The only thing is they didn't come with the shields shown in the original EBay advert, however I did notice they had changed the images to no-shield almost immediately after buying them.
Perhaps it's felt the shields aren't needed now?
Anyway, if I use the Wipac SVX free form reflector & half bowl in my Mk3 conversion I think it'll be fine, as we can see the SVX reflectors come with a very pronounced bulb hood.
If the 3200 lumen ones I've been using are anything to go by, these new 4000 lumen units in free form SVX reflectors will be astonishingly good.
LEDs only work 'one' way. That is they have a positive and a negative and need to be wired in that sequence.
You'll also need to wire in the correct positive with regards to the dipped and full beam setting (assuming they are H4s you're using).
With the above in mind it seems odd (even by Chinese cheapy standards) for any of the connectors not to be 'idiot proof'.
Shouldn't do it any harm to be wired up the wrong way - the small T10 and T5 type blade bulbs like in the side repeaters don't break if you put then in the wrong way round. Just unplug it, turn it 180 and plug back in.
You'll also need to wire in the correct positive with regards to the dipped and full beam setting (assuming they are H4s you're using).
With the above in mind it seems odd (even by Chinese cheapy standards) for any of the connectors not to be 'idiot proof'.
Shouldn't do it any harm to be wired up the wrong way - the small T10 and T5 type blade bulbs like in the side repeaters don't break if you put then in the wrong way round. Just unplug it, turn it 180 and plug back in.
mk1fan said:
Well, as already stated, I have and so has CoG. Both have reported their findings already on several threads. CoG has bought a brighter set to replace those already fitted. Page 1 of this thread would seem a good place to start.
Thank for your wonderful comments but I did put the word 'new' in my question for a reason....So, if anyone has fitted the NEW LED's that COG had just purchased, can you update the thread?
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