LED Headlights
Discussion
magpies said:
when they say 6000 lumen = that is 3000per headlight main beam and 2500 on dip.
CoG - are yours 3200 each headlight or total?
HmmmCoG - are yours 3200 each headlight or total?
, you could be right there magpies.... on a second look the new ones in my link are indeed 3000 lumens per bulb, the seller is quoting "6000 lumens per set" which is still mega bright BTW.Mine are 3200 lumens per bulb so in theory are a bit brighter, but the new ones are cheaper and to me having no fans is a good idea.
The lights I have are more than you could ever want on dip beam, and as 98% of driving is done on dip the main beam performance (which is still better than with standard halogen incandescent bulbs) isn't really an issue.
Saying that I have plans at foot to very discreetly add another 7000 lumens specifically to compliment the existing high beams.
That's over 13000 lumens in total on main beam, compared with the 2000 lumens you can expect from a pair of regular Chimaera headlights with brand new perfect reflectors, of course the reality is most Chimaeras out there with their corroded reflectors will put out significantly less.
Take my current super bright LED headlights on dip, add the main beam then chuck on a further 7000 lumens of focused long range power and I should at last have night visibility to match the car's performance.
After that all you really need is better wipers and the Chimaera will be right up there with a modern car.
Tyre Tread said:
Interesting. I have been watching this with interest as I am working on a conversion that will do away with the old reflector with separate lens system and use cheaply available Mini 7" enclosed headlights utilising H4 bulbs.
The intention is that the replacements units will be able to be installed with no modifications to the bodywork so if at a later date someone wanted originality it would be easily reversible plus it will be able to be used with the later faired in lights.
After much messing about with the mini plastic mounting cups and cardboard and plyboard templates I think I have the mounting sorted but the challenge is making the adjustable from the back. I am in the process of trialling my second solution. After all, how hard can it be?
The lights lenses do look different.
with the enclosed reflectors the LED bulbs should work very well.
Sorry to digress a little.
The readily available 7" unit is a no brained if it can be made to fit and not look gappy around the headlight cowl.The intention is that the replacements units will be able to be installed with no modifications to the bodywork so if at a later date someone wanted originality it would be easily reversible plus it will be able to be used with the later faired in lights.
After much messing about with the mini plastic mounting cups and cardboard and plyboard templates I think I have the mounting sorted but the challenge is making the adjustable from the back. I am in the process of trialling my second solution. After all, how hard can it be?
The lights lenses do look different.
with the enclosed reflectors the LED bulbs should work very well.
Sorry to digress a little.
Good luck with the idea, hope you can make it work.
Tyre Tread said:
Steve Edwards is helping me on this and worst scenario is a couple of his cowls with a slight extension to the rear at the bottom could be an easy solution.
Perfect, a new cowl molding very slightly adapted to remove any gaps around the slightly smaller but ubiquitous 7" units and the job's a goodun 
If you can utilize the existing traditional front adjustment it's a no-brainer, as Sardonicus says it's not like you're adjusting them every day.
Sardonicus said:
yes: Blimey even if they are front adjust its no big deal its not often you should have to adjust them all things being equal
Agreed 
Just whip the new cowls off, adjust, and pop the cowls back on.
Tyre Tread said:
Interesting. I have been watching this with interest as I am working on a conversion that will do away with the old reflector with separate lens system and use cheaply available Mini 7" enclosed headlights utilising H4 bulbs.
The intention is that the replacements units will be able to be installed with no modifications to the bodywork so if at a later date someone wanted originality it would be easily reversible plus it will be able to be used with the later faired in lights.
After much messing about with the mini plastic mounting cups and cardboard and plyboard templates I think I have the mounting sorted but the challenge is making the adjustable from the back. I am in the process of trialling my second solution. After all, how hard can it be?
The lights lenses do look different.
But not much, the new cowls would need painting which adds to the cost but you're only painting them once, after that it's cheap replacement headlights all the way The intention is that the replacements units will be able to be installed with no modifications to the bodywork so if at a later date someone wanted originality it would be easily reversible plus it will be able to be used with the later faired in lights.
After much messing about with the mini plastic mounting cups and cardboard and plyboard templates I think I have the mounting sorted but the challenge is making the adjustable from the back. I am in the process of trialling my second solution. After all, how hard can it be?
The lights lenses do look different.
Tyre Tread is onto an idea with real merit here
tvrmallorca said:
I just bought these for spot lights on my tvr Tarmac racer...21,000 lumens in total.. Should light up the road.
Nice, they'll do it I've gone for two of these tiny (3500 lumen each) spots hidden in the facelift Chimaera open grill aperture.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-3500LM-LED-Light-Volk...
Run at 10% on the sidelight circuit to act as DLRs, with the main beam switch triggering the full long range 7000 lumens.
I'm planning a switch so I can completely turn them off, and I'm hoping their small size and black cases will mean you wont notice them when they're off.
The LED H4 bulb replacement units have already allowed me to more than double the light output on dip, without changing the look of the car and without the warm-up and flash issues associated with HiD systems.
Add in another discreetly hidden 7000 lumens on main beam with these tiny spots, and the setup should be the stealth answer to finally being able to explore the car's performance at night.
It should look something like this...
SILICONEKID345HP said:
I don`t know why you are bothering with all this effort ,why not just have the Mk3 headlamp conversion ,It looks nice and you have sealed units ,job done .
Agree(ish), however the Mk3 conversion is expensive and I've seen a few that suffer condensation.
But I must admit you do have a point.
SILICONEKID345HP said:
ChimpOnGas said:
Wrong again Plumbo, 60 squids for the 6,400 LED H4 set and another 60 squids for the 7,000 lumen micro spot set.
That's over 13,000 lumens for £120!!!!
And the price is coming down on these LED bulbs every day, when I replicate my setup on my mate's 5.0 litre he'll be paying £100 all in.
Admittedly there are new reflectors on top of that and some 2k lacquer, say another £100.
But can you deliver a Proper Mk3 headlight conversion for £200 and make over 5 times the light of standard pair of Chimaera headlights with perfect reflectors?
I doubt it
How do you know your not piThat's over 13,000 lumens for £120!!!!
And the price is coming down on these LED bulbs every day, when I replicate my setup on my mate's 5.0 litre he'll be paying £100 all in.
Admittedly there are new reflectors on top of that and some 2k lacquer, say another £100.
But can you deliver a Proper Mk3 headlight conversion for £200 and make over 5 times the light of standard pair of Chimaera headlights with perfect reflectors?
I doubt it
g on coming traffic off ? Nothing worse than being dazzled ,horrible being on the receiving end . Read the post, I did need to adjust them down slightly at first but after that there have been no complainers.
magpies said:
I'm also very interested in the micro spots...........when do you hope to fit them?
I'll probably be fitting them in a few weeks when they turn up from China, perhaps that's when I'll also pull my finger out & finally fit my nice new shiny reflectors The 3500 lumen spot/driving lights are £145 on Ebay, but the same thing can be had for £93 a pair from Ali Express:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipp...
Or better still buy two here for £60 delivered to the UK.
http://www.lightmalls.com/moto-led-work-spot-light...
If you keep in mind two standard Chimaera headlights with brand new reflectors and H4 halogen incandescent bulbs will serve up 2,000 lumens at best, then 7,000 lumens from two little driving lights for £60 represents a fantastic value for money upgrade. Especially when paired with the 6,200 lumens my LED headlights are already shoving out.
2,000 lumens vs 13,200 lumens, that's an improvement you're going to notice.
And these micro spots really are tiny, mounted discretely in the grill aperture I'm hoping they'll be very unobtrusive, until that is you turn them on
With any luck they'll also give me the long range full beam light to match the excellent dip beam performance of the 3200 lumen H4 bulb replacement units.
Best of all the car won't end up looking like a Christmas tree, just perfectly standard which you certainly can't say about Lupo headlights.
You can get a feel for how small (and bright) they are in this clip, you can also see how I'll be wiring them up with the 10% DLR function, the full power 7,000 lumen mode only being activated when you switch to full beam. At which point there will obviously be no one ahead to be troubled by the additional light.
http://s198.photobucket.com/user/2allbuyer/media/s...
Hopefully the setup will work well, watch this space
LED H4 units are getting better & better, check out this new 4000 lumen per unit version (8000lm total output):
I've decided to have done with the original expensive, leaky & corrosion prone Bosch reflector and separate lens system.
While the Mk3 faired headlights are an expensive indulgence, they use the much better, much cheaper, and way easier to source 7" headlihght unit which is also better sealed against moisture.
I've always admired the look of the Mk3 faired Chimaera headlights and there's no argument that they do totally solve the failings of the Bosch reflector and separate lens system in a stroke.
For the record my current 3200 lumen Cree LED units are devastatingly good, but Mk3 headlights fitted with these new improved 4000 lumen LED units stand to be even better.
"ChimpOnGas - spending a fortune finding the very best Chimaera headlights - so you don't have to"
- No fans
- Better shielding of light source
- Glass tube over LEDs to give wider light angle
- ETI LED chip which they claim is over 25% brighter than my current CREE LED chips & is specially designed for car headlights
I've decided to have done with the original expensive, leaky & corrosion prone Bosch reflector and separate lens system.
While the Mk3 faired headlights are an expensive indulgence, they use the much better, much cheaper, and way easier to source 7" headlihght unit which is also better sealed against moisture.
I've always admired the look of the Mk3 faired Chimaera headlights and there's no argument that they do totally solve the failings of the Bosch reflector and separate lens system in a stroke.
For the record my current 3200 lumen Cree LED units are devastatingly good, but Mk3 headlights fitted with these new improved 4000 lumen LED units stand to be even better.
"ChimpOnGas - spending a fortune finding the very best Chimaera headlights - so you don't have to"
Sardonicus said:
Yeh, MK3 headlamps are the nuts ..... Period.
.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151561945965?_trksid=p20...
£55 Squids!
ChimpOnGas said:
Sardonicus said:
Yeh, MK3 headlamps are the nuts ..... Period.
.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151561945965?_trksid=p20...
£55 Squids!
NickM450 said:
They look very good, if there is no fan, how do they cool?
NickM450 said:
Also, are the really just 'plug and play' or is there more to it than that?
That's the point, just plug...& play NickM450 said:
Seems to easy that I can just buy them, chuck them on the Chim and that's it...... well, until someone sorts out a standard looking sealed headlight unit that isn't Lupo's or the faired in affair.
Or 2002 Jeep KJ headlights 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
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.
A900ss said:
Ok, so I've gone to fit these today but think my set are faulty please see picture below but in summary, these lights have 1 LED on one side and 2 I the other side to emulate low beam and high beam.
If you see my lights, one has one LED on top and the other has two when the plastic guide is in place. I've taken off the guides to try and swap them round but the guides go over two metal ridges on the light unit but these are different sizes to ensure that the guide only goes on one way. The metal ridges on my lights are what is the inconsistent part. The thin side is on the left of one unit but on the right of the other.
I think this is wrong but if others who have bought these new LED's could check theirs, I'd appreciate it.
Hi, apologies I've just seen this and I'm afraid to say "thems is wrong" If you see my lights, one has one LED on top and the other has two when the plastic guide is in place. I've taken off the guides to try and swap them round but the guides go over two metal ridges on the light unit but these are different sizes to ensure that the guide only goes on one way. The metal ridges on my lights are what is the inconsistent part. The thin side is on the left of one unit but on the right of the other.
I think this is wrong but if others who have bought these new LED's could check theirs, I'd appreciate it.
Thie double LED should face the little H4 logo embossed in the plastic three eared fitting, so your one on the right in your image is correct but the other one is wrong.
Here's how mine look>>
As others have said, you should contact the seller to explain the problem if you haven't done so already.
Clearly whoever packed the box gave you two plastic three eared fittings of the same hand rather than a proper set for left & right lights.
Let us know how you get on seeking a resolution with the seller & I hope my photo helps support your case.
Good luck with it, Dave.
A900ss said:
Dave it's actually the unit that's at fault rather than the plastic wings. When you look at the u it it has two 'prongs' that go into the plastic wings. One prong is narrow, one wide. They should be the same on both units but on on of mine it's at 180 degrees to the other unit.
Anyway, the seller has advised that he has sent me another single unit to replace the faulty one.
I'll let everybody know when it turns up as the service from the vendor seems good so far.
Ah, I understand now.Anyway, the seller has advised that he has sent me another single unit to replace the faulty one.
I'll let everybody know when it turns up as the service from the vendor seems good so far.
I'm pleased the seller is looking after you, and thanks in advance for updating us when the replacement arrives.
Mine are actually earmarked for my Mk3 headlight conversion so wont be fitted until mid May at the earliest and more likely early June just in the nick of time for Le Mans
My current 3200 lumens per bulb LED H4s that started all this are amazing, so I can only guess what these new more powerful ones will be like in my new Mk1 Golf headlight units that are used in the Mk3 Chimaera faired headlight conversion.
Stick with it, and keep us posted
GC8 said:
Am I correct in thinking that the later fanless type of bulbs don't have a voltage regulator? Has anyone actually fitted them successfully? For the sake of £20 Im thinking that I would be beter off buying the original type from DX.
You could be right, I'm concerned now these new ones will just flash. Did A900S do his test with the engine running or just with the ignition on?I ask this because the flashing problem is definitely voltage related as proved by what happened to me this weekend when I fitted LED Edison bulbs to a domestic pendant lamp in my house. Being new to LED household bulbs what I discovered was there are LED bulbs suitable for dimmer switches and ones that are not
So do check the box for the dimmable feature if you are switching to LED at home and you have dimmer switches.
It turns out dimmable household LED bulbs will work in any dimmable or non dimmable light circuit, but non dimmable LED bulbs will just flash if you have dimmer switches in your house and you try to turn them down.
When I fitted my first set of LED Edison household bulbs they were fine on full power, but as soon as you try to dim them down they flash like a strobe, a quick trip back to Tescos and I had them swapped for the dimmable version. Unlike a normal household bulb the adjustment is very sensitive around the very low range of the dimmer switch but essentially the replacement "dimmable" spec LED bulbs worked fine in the lamp with no flashing.
There's a whole lot of info on why non dimmable LED bulbs flash in a dimmer circuit here:
http://www.integral-led.com/education/dimmable-and...
What it seems to say is it's all down to the driver which in turn regulates the voltage, so the big question is do these new LED H4 bulbs have an internal driver or not and if they do what the voltage range set at?
All I know is my first ones from DX have an external driver box & work flawlessly so are currently the only proven option we have and represent the safest bet of all until the new type can be shown to work without flashing.
And for that we A900S to do some more testing as I won't be fitting mine until late May when my Mk3 headlight conversion is completed.
Given my experience with household bulbs I'd say the new LED H4s will work fine as long as they are receiving the full voltage they're designed to work at.
Perhaps A900S can do a couple of multimeter voltage checks to see what's present at his H4 connectors on his TVR loom, one test at idle & one with the engine off.
My guess is the flashing will disappear with the engine running and return when the engine is switched off, these new version LED H4s are probably set with a working range (at a guess 12v -14.5v).
As we know the TVR wiring and earthing is pretty pish poor, I wouldn't mind betting A900S finds there's only 11.3v - 11.8v at his H4 connectors without the engine running, which being below the LED units lower 12v setting means it starts to flash just like my non dimmable household Edison bulb did when I tried to dim it.
I look forward to hearing about those engine running & engine off voltage readings and if they stop flashing when the engine is running
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Monday 27th April 15:23
This is interesting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEJIHdR7BHs
Not sure if it's the problem in the case of a TVR as we don't have a PWM electrical system, but I guess if A900SS has a slightly iffy alternator regulator pack it could make his LEDs H4s pulse where he wouldn't have seen it with normal headlight bulbs
Knowing the TVR wiring though my money is still on a low voltage issue at the H4 connector.
Anyway the no-brainer proven option is just to buy the units with the constant current drivers that we know work well in a Chimaera and to stop chasing those extra few lumens. Lets face it the 3200 lumen (per bulb) ones I've been using for the last six months are already amazingly bright!
And they most definitely do not strobe
Now available for £50 on EBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-H4-3200LM-6500K-3...
While it is tempting to go with the higher lumen options becoming available it's probably better we stick with what we know works.
Saying that, check out these 4500 lumen (per bulb) bad boys
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-In-One-CREE-LED-H4-H...
Not so good if they arrive & you find they strobe though
Lets see if A900SS can make his work and go from there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEJIHdR7BHs
Not sure if it's the problem in the case of a TVR as we don't have a PWM electrical system, but I guess if A900SS has a slightly iffy alternator regulator pack it could make his LEDs H4s pulse where he wouldn't have seen it with normal headlight bulbs
Knowing the TVR wiring though my money is still on a low voltage issue at the H4 connector.
Anyway the no-brainer proven option is just to buy the units with the constant current drivers that we know work well in a Chimaera and to stop chasing those extra few lumens. Lets face it the 3200 lumen (per bulb) ones I've been using for the last six months are already amazingly bright!
And they most definitely do not strobe
Now available for £50 on EBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-H4-3200LM-6500K-3...
While it is tempting to go with the higher lumen options becoming available it's probably better we stick with what we know works.
Saying that, check out these 4500 lumen (per bulb) bad boys
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-In-One-CREE-LED-H4-H...
Not so good if they arrive & you find they strobe though
Lets see if A900SS can make his work and go from there.
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