Lights upgrade

[Lazy-Ferret]

Has anyone tried the LED and CREE replacement lamps in teh standard headlights?

Like these for fog:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191063440957?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

And these for main beams:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251340449167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I got a CREE torch a while ago and was very impressed with it. Would be nice to have something better than candle light until I get round to mounting some spotlights.

The main problem is, to get the high outputs from the Cree LED's, you need to be able to get rid of the heat, and the only way to do that is with big heat-sinks, or small heat-sinks and fans. The CREE torches use the aluminium body to act as a big heat-sink, and have control circuits built in, that automatically lower the output if things should start to get too hot, but you can''t do that for head lights.

I got a couple of 35w H3 LED bulbs for my rear work lights, but because they are so small, in order to fit through the mounting holes, the light output is OK for reversing and working by, but not a patch on my Cree TM15 touch.

The CREE head light bulbs, are great, but because the good ones have fans, they are no good off-roading where they may get mud and stuff in them, and the ones without fans, have huge heat-sinks that get very hot, and I would not fancy having that sort of heat that close to the T2 battery(s).

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Second issue, I have no roof bars?

Maybe exosteve will be kind enough to make me a clamp :augie :kissy

To do it like Clivy and I did, you only need a Cheap Halfrauds gutter mount roof bar, you can pick them up for a fiver at Boot fairs, and on Ebay.

You can have my old one for £35 if you want, you would need to pick it up though, as I do not fancy posting it, and you would need to re-wire it, as I use a socket on the roof to get the power up to it.

 

[AlexD333]

Sent you a pm dude :thumb2

 

[elty001]

ive just bought one of these

42"long,240 watt,18000lm.
:thumbs

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

ive just bought one of these

42"long,240 watt,18000lm.
:thumbs

Nice.... that is almost the same as the one I have...

Only problem is, you will need to make up a mounting for it as the roof curves too much for it's standard mounting brackets to hold it high enough.

 

[Banshee]

The main problem is, to get the high outputs from the Cree LED's, you need to be able to get rid of the heat, and the only way to do that is with big heat-sinks, or small heat-sinks and fans.

he could just go very very speedy :bobby:

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

he could just go very very speedy :bobby:

:lol:lol Or fit one of Makeitfits water cooling system...:lol

 

[Banshee]

:lol:lol Or fit one of Makeitfits water cooling system...:lol

he's need to find a special switch though from a Subaru

 

[elty001]

Nice.... that is almost the same as the one I have...

Only problem is, you will need to make up a mounting for it as the roof curves too much for it's standard mounting brackets to hold it high enough.

I work in an engineering shop so I could get some longer brackets made to account for the curve on the roof,or mount it onto the light rail that exosteve made me.
will have a look and figure out the best way to mount it when it arrives.

 

[brettgilbert77]

I ordered the headlight and fog light from eBay as linked earlier. The fog lights are pretty good.
The Main beam and dip with those CREE ones is dreadful. I haven;t checked how hot they got yet, although they are encased in some aluminium to help dissipate the heat.
I think the issue is that there's a central CREE LED on the tip of the bulb. On the inside of the Terrano's lens is a reflector to bounce the light backwards and around the lamp rear reflector before leaving the lights from the front. With this CREE racing directly into the reflector I don't think I get any output at all from the centre of the lamp.
I haven't taken the lights apart yet to see if the centre reflector could be removed to test the output then or not.
Has anyone else taken apart the whole light lens for cleaning etc?

 

[R20Dave]

My concern would be as the light isn't coming from a single point on the bulb which the reflector had been designed for your not gonna get a good beam pattern which in itself could cause you to loose light as it would be more of a flood not focus


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[brettgilbert77]

My concern would be as the light isn't coming from a single point on the bulb which the reflector had been designed for your not gonna get a good beam pattern which in itself could cause you to loose light as it would be more of a flood not focus


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Indeed. I think the CREE bulb is probably quite good, but has its own inbuilt reflector and lens. The reflector and lens of the terrano's housing conflicts with this as it's designed so the sideways facing LEDs are reflected by the standard mirror. the central beam would probably be fine if it weren't for the original lamps reflector.
As far as beam pattern, I think this would be fine if governed by one device, the one it's fitted with and designed to use.
I've not taken apart the light fitting on the Terrano yet to see if the reflector is easily removed. If I can then I can see how the bulbs built in reflector and lens works to create the forward beam, whilst the sideways ones create the flood

 

[R20Dave]

I've not taken a Terrano headlight apart but I have done an almera, remove the clips from the lens and screws if it has them, almera did but has plastic lens, 5 mins in a preheated oven at 80°c then gently peel the lens off and get sticky sh#t everywhere.
(I take no responsibility for damage caused to the oven or headlight) the first lamp I did I gave less time and was difficult second lame I did had more time as was forgotten (step son) and just fell apart.


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