LED Headlights

[ChimpOnGas]

mach2 said:

I've basically done that on the car, started with one set and when that didn't work first tried changing the bulb, then the fan and then the driver itself. Swapped it all around so I'd tried every combination of all the units and then thought it must be me!!
I agree it's practically impossible to get wrong but I just can't believe the whole set would be defunct?
There's nothing daft like an earth being provided by the fitting on the back of the bowl?
The original bulb works without actually being in the housing so I assume not.

They are designed to be totally plug and play, so it's hard to tell why you are having the issue

There are no extra earths and I had zero issues fitting mine, just popped them in and they worked.

What did your multimeter say when you tested the voltage at the H4 connector?

The LED driver packs will have a lower voltage limit before they will bring the units on, that's also why it's wise to bench test direct to a known good battery, you'll be eliminating any voltage drop in the TVR loom.

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

[mach2]

Thanks COG
Multi meter is showing 12.2 volts at the h4 plug. Would that be a problem?
Sounds pretty good to me given the TVR loom?
That's without the engine running.
At a bit of a loss now until I can get a spare h4 connector.

[mach2]

Success!! Dodgy H4 connector on low beam. When I tested it must have found the only spot that was giving a full reading.
Went back and checked it again to find ares of thenblade connector were reading low, cleaned it up and result.
One more side to do now....

[DaiBakes]

Did anybody end up testing the later fanless type?

[ChimpOnGas]

DaiBakes said:

Did anybody end up testing the later fanless type?

Yes, I have the new no-fan 4000 lumen units in my Mk3 faired headlight conversion.



Here they are in action



However, what I've discovered after extensive testing of two types of these LED units is....

I can adjust the headlight to either deliver devastating main beam performance with a little less reach than I'd like on dip.

Or...

Crazy dip beam performance but with a main beam that illuminates the tree tops above the road. In this state you can get flashed occasionally too.

It would seem to be impossible to get the perfect beam on both dip & main. Adjust the dip up so it's spot on and the mains are too high, adjust for the perfect main beam and the dips are a little too low.

I've chosen to set mine so the mains are like Zeppelin search lights and the dips are completely safe for oncoming drivers, the problem with this is when you go from main down to dip you're eyes can take a split second to adjust to the big transition in light output.

This can be tricky on narrow country roads as invariably you're going to dip because there's car coming towards you, and that's when you realise you could do with a bit more reach from the dips to set your possession in the road.

I've now got a set of super small Ring Micro Cruiselites (BRL0370) that will be set into the grill aperture.





As you can see these lights really are tiny but are very bright indeed, they should also give me the dip beam reach I need to just fill the area the LED units are lacking without dazzling oncoming drivers.

All in all I'd say these new LED units are fantastically good and make a massive difference to night driving in a Chimaera, but only on dip or main beam depending on how you've chosen to adjust them.

If you don't want to dazzle oncoming drivers and you dont want to fit a set of Ring Micro Cruiselites like me, then people are advised to just fit a set of Phillips X-Treme Vision H4 bulbs (the new +130% version).

That's the honest truth from me about these LED units, they're almost there but my guess is they may well be designed to work best with projector lenses rather than our old school reflector and engraved lens setups.

I'm not saying they're no good, actually I love mine and with a little more reach on dip they'll be completely unbeatable.

But you pays your money and make your choice, in this case I've done the spending, testing and write-up so you can make your own decision on fitting them or not without risk of being disappointed.

I've tried to keep my feedback honest throughout so I hope this complete post will be seen as helpful to all my TVR mates on here?

Dave

[DaiBakes]

ChimpOnGas said:

Yes

Awesome, thank you for the reply!

I've been watching this thread for a while with the aim to fir the bulbs in my VW T5. I rarely use main beam these days, travelling on known roads at quite a slow speed in the van, so the dip\main issue will be even less present for me.

Was about to pull the trigger on a set when I read your concerns about the strobing risk on the newer fanless types, so thank you for confirming all is well.

Dai

[ChimpOnGas]

DaiBakes said:

ChimpOnGas said:

Yes

Awesome, thank you for the reply!

I've been watching this thread for a while with the aim to fir the bulbs in my VW T5. I rarely use main beam these days, travelling on known roads at quite a slow speed in the van, so the dip\main issue will be even less present for me.

Was about to pull the trigger on a set when I read your concerns about the strobing risk on the newer fanless types, so thank you for confirming all is well.

Dai

You're welcome, and I can absolutely confirm there is no strobing with these LED units.

Well not in my car anyway.

Enjoy the improved light on dip

[DaiBakes]

ChimpOnGas said:

You're welcome, and I can absolutely confirm there is no strobing with these LED units.

Well not in my car anyway.

Enjoy the improved light on dip

Might give the brighter ones that you linked to a try:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251812245413?_trksid=p20...

[GC8]

ChimpOnGas said:

I've chosen to set mine so the mains are like Zeppelin search lights and the dips are completely safe for oncoming drivers, the problem with this is when you go from main down to dip you're eyes can take a split second to adjust to the big transition in light output.

Dave, is this the case only with the later bulbs or did the original fanned bulbs also require this compromise?

[ChimpOnGas]

GC8 said:

ChimpOnGas said:

I've chosen to set mine so the mains are like Zeppelin search lights and the dips are completely safe for oncoming drivers, the problem with this is when you go from main down to dip you're eyes can take a split second to adjust to the big transition in light output.

Dave, is this the case only with the later bulbs or did the original fanned bulbs also require this compromise?

Both types I've tested had the exactly same characteristics, this leads me to think it's a trait you'll find with all these LED H4 units.

From what I've read HiDs do the same thing, so I'm thinking both these LEDs & the HiDs were designed with projector lenses in mind rather than our outdated silvered reflectors and engraved glass lenses?

But dont let it put you off, these days there's so much traffic about that 95% of all driving is done on dip anyway. In which case (and if you're happy to do so) just adjust them so they perform best on dip and perhaps fit a set of long range spots to fill in the high beam hole.

I chose to do it the other way around because I really really dont want to dazzle oncoming traffic, if you set them up so the main beam is spot on you will never give other drivers a problem, you may however melt the Tarmac directly in front of the car

I'm going to wire my Ring Micro Cruise Lites off a new Vauxhall wiper stalk switch I've just bought.

It's exactly the same as the Vectra/Corsa one TVR fitted but has the rear wash wipe switch, our TVR right hand stalk clicks back & forth but there's actually no switch in there. The Micro Cruise Lites will be turned on & off independently of the light circuit using my new switch.

It'll be kind of a duplicate dip & main function on the right hand stalk if you like, wiring the Cruise Lites this way gives me complete flexibility to use them as daytime running lights, with or without dip beam and or with or without main beam.

Because it gives a mirrored function of the normal dip main stalk on the left I'm hoping it'll become intuitive to flick them on or off as I see fit given the situation.

Of course completely illegal though

If anyone wants a stalk with the rear wash wipe switch the Vauxhall part number is: 90243395

I'll be fitting my lovely Leven turned aluminum stalk to it so it looks proper TVR

[GC8]

My every day car has twin lamps (H7 & H1) so it wont be a problem. The H4 car (944 Turbo) has hardwired H1 driving lamps too, so I was curious rather than put off.

Thanks for the update.

[GTRene]

I've ordered some attractive priced HB3 and HB4 LEDs 6000k for my car (not a TVR)
which are a direct fit and not that big (just like the standard bulbs)

Just to see what they do/can, they come from the other side of the world, but when I get them and they are in and tried, I will post some pictures, original vs LED.

[BertieMagnus]

Been following this threat with interest, and just wondered if anyone has tried these LED 'bulbs' with projector style headlights? Specifically, will they work well in my Tuscan?!

Cheers chaps

[GC8]

Projectors should make the best of anything: that's their strength.

[Bizman928]

GC8 said:

My every day car has twin lamps (H7 & H1) so it wont be a problem. The H4 car (944 Turbo) has hardwired H1 driving lamps too, so I was curious rather than put off.

Thanks for the update.

GC8 noticed you were interested in fitting the LED bulbs to your 944 Turbo. There isn't a lot of room behind the headlight cover between the back of the bulb and the raising bar. Most 944 owners opt for the non fan bulbs that I know fellow 944 owners have fitted easily but have also sold a few of the G5 type bulbs to 944 owners without any problems. I think I saw that you have purchased a set back in July - did they fit OK?

If you fancy a chat about the LED bulbs then feel free to give me a call. 07775581044. I am not that far away form you in Uttoxeter so you could always call round if you were passing.

Steve
928 S4 with full LED conversion

[DamianS3]

Hello folks

what is the opinion of the fully integrated LED units out there.. for example :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/land-rover-defender-7-Si...

Not so many lumens as the bulbs but personally I quite like them..?

Good or waste of money.. any personal experiance out there...?

Also some are described as universal (ie not LHD or RHD..?) this concerns me somewhat as surly all they can be saying is that it neither illuminates the left or right side of the road.. whereas as well as not dazzling oncoming trafic its useful for the side of the road to be illuminated a little.. hmm...

Thanks

Damian S3

Edited by DamianS3 on Wednesday 30th September 12:41

[blitzracing]

God help you- I bet these are only for "off road use" then. They certainly wont have any type approval for road use.

[mk1fan]

They look similar to the Jeep ones fitted to Tamy. The Jeep ones are excellent but expensive - £500ish the last time I looked. Combined with LED H7 bulbs in the driving lights provide plenty of illumination.

Although, I'm going Nightbreaker dipped / LED driving set up on Samy.

[DamianS3]

Any MOT issues with Tammy..?

I like the idea of the angel eye, DRL and indicator all in one unit.

Thanks

Damian S3

[mk1fan]

None to date.