LED headlights- has anyone tried these?

Looks interesting.  We nominate you to be the guinea pig.

Luis,

 

I've been told that here in Connecticut autos with LED headlights are not specifically pulled over because of them...but get added to the citation if you're stopped for whatever the initial infraction was.

 

BTW, one of the selling points listed for my VS was "H-4 headlights"

I didn't know then what that meant...and still don't!

Please tell me the 'What & Why' about H-4's

I saw these the other day. The only problem might be the depth to the back of the cars buckets.

There is some talk that the HID bulbs are brighter than the LED's ... personally I have not done enough research and I like the Euro lights so I have H4 Halogen bulbs which I find quite nice ... I added on my new IM Marchal driving/fogs clear and I find with both lighting systems the vision forward is really much better and the peripheral vision is very appreciated considering as we get older we need more light.

i'vve been thinking about those for my other build. 

 

look on ebay - wAAAAAAY cheaper.  looks pretty plug and play too.

H4 just refers to the type of the bulb used. An H4 is dual filament (hi/lo) bulb of a certain size with a certain type of electrical socket. Likely put on the feature list because you can just change out the bulb without needing to change the entire reflector housing like you do with sealed-beam headlights. As another example, secondary driving lights might use a single filament H3 bulb. But the H3 and H4 bulbs are not interchangeable.

 

H4 does not have anything to do with them being halogen/xenon/HID/LED/etc.

I used these (or very similar) recently.  The above information is correct, they are brighter than halogens but not as quite as bright as the HIDs we use (but pretty close).  The added benefit of not having to wire in ballasts was a nice plus.  If they last, they'll be worth it.

is there enough space in a Beck Speedster headlight recess for them?

Wondering if anyone has placed the SMD-LED lights in Kirk's VS cars-I'd be concerned about the bucket space with the cooling fan the article mentions?  

Thanks everyone.   i will check the Ebay ones as well for pricing.... but it sounds like i will be the guinney pig. 

 

Happy to try them out see what happents.

 

will revert back as soon as i get them/install them.

 

cheers,

luis

Bummer my headlights fall under the 1st "Will Not Work" diagram they show on the main web site. 

Luis:  When you light those things up, we'll probably see the glow in the sky all the way over to Boston!

I'll let folks know how they work I ordered a kit for my 550. Thomas Duncan of Vintagecarled's sent me a free upgrade to my out of stock order.

Here's what he wrote me:

 

Gee I always wanted heated lights
Ray

I have ordered a set from Thomas Duncan at VintageCarLED.  

I sent him some pics of my headlight and housing/bucket.

 

His response:  "Yes our kit would be plug-and-play with your speedster.

 You also have the correct front clear lenses so you would be all set for our DOT kit."

I just ordered a set of LEDs from Thomas. great guy to work with and very responsive.  He sent me the attached to share with those interested In his lights.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azcfhf2hQB8

 

cheers

These look like the same lights, waiting on a callback for pricing on the lights.

 

http://www.classicowheels.com/specialtyparts.htm

Here are some details on Thomas' new bulb/kit...

 

"We have a new designed bulb with the heat sink inside the lens(no longer sticking out the back of it) So clearance will be no issue with your VS/Beck speedster"

 

I wonder if they would fit into a Hella Euro style, I have an H4 with a different base P45T not P43T base.  They may be too hot on the other hand you can use 55/60W or 70/100w high beams in the Hella and they work well... any test comparing both of these wattages and would the bulbs fitmy light cases ?Ray

email Thomas for Qs on the H4 / bulb base...  he is very responsive.  his kit includes the bulb housing (where the bulb mounts to.)

 

In regards to the heat Q, here is what he shared w/ me;

 

".. about the heat sink & fan being INSIDE the lens (about it overheating).  We haven’t had a single issue with it... I’ve currently got a set installed in sealed lenses, running for 3 months straight 24/7.  Still going strong!"

Just wanted to say that Thomas was most helpful and when I told him I wanted to keep my euro headlights he was honest and told me they would not fit ... Nice to have a guy who is interested in making it work not just making the Sale... Good guy.  Ray

Ray-. If you want to keep your Euro Hella's they do sell a small adaptor ring that mounts on the light to go from the p45 bulb to the P43 bulb.

I purchased these for my Austin, so I could use off the shelf NAPA Halogen H4 P43 bulbs with the Euro lights. (P45s were getting hard to find). It's an old link... I hope it still works.

http://www.volvosolutions.com/Misc_P45T.html

... figured I would offer up a possible solution.... these work with standard P43 Halogens, and I imagine the LED bulbs with a P43 base.

Cheers
Luis

Thanks Luis, I have the higher wattage 70/100 which are brighter than the leds

so for now i will keep using H4-P45T bases I have quite a few spare.... FYI here is another link that has them @ a more reasonable cost  Ray

 

http://www.dynamoregulatorconv...dlamp-bulbs-shop.php

 

http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/...-returns-p-2117.html

I got two good things today my new VA Antique registration and tags and my new set of LED head lights. All I can say with just a short test of these DOT lights is wow! The came very well packaged and took me about a half hour each to install. I took the 550 out for a night test ride and the low beam is brighter than my old Wagner bulbs for sure. Hit the High beam and man it pretty much lights up the night the difference incredible. I feel so much better with these even in the day light if you have these lights on you'll be better seen IMHO. I love them and will get a set for my Speedster.  As others have noted Thomas Duncan was great to deal with on the LED lights, excellent service when ordered. Got a picture today of my right seater.

 

Pete

WOW Pete.  I can't wait t install mine this weekend.  Big difference.

 

you may want yo send Thomas the picture with the new and old side by side.   A very noticeable difference.  He Asked me to send him some of my speedster for use on his web Site.

 

 

"WOW" is an understatement!

 

A picture's worth a thousand words?

Thomas couldn't possible produce in a thousand words the promotional impact of Pete's photo....It says it all 

Pete, is that on the low beam? Could you show us the low beam and the high beam please.... Thanks..Ray

it's hard to tell the difference unless your out driving.

 

Here's some pic's: 005&006 Low Beam, 008 and 009 High Beam hope that helps.

 

My fluted outer glass may distort the fluted inner LED some from what Thomas told me but I still love the better visibility I have.

 

Pete 

My feedback:

Quick shipping

Excellent packaging

Simple plug n play installation

Fantastic results!!

 

Looks great Collin!

 

Now I have to get a kit for my Speedster too. The hardest part to the install at least for me is re-installing the black rubber gasket around the head light. The Spyder was easy but I've taken the Speedsters out before and spent a lot of time cussing trying to get them back in right.

 

I'll try what I did on the Spyder put the light in with the gasket inside the mounting screw tighten a little stretch the gasket around and finish tightening.

 

Pete 

I'll be curious to see if having the heat sink in the lens shortens the LED's life.