LED Headlights
09-14-2016, 05:57 PM
#21
Senior Member
This goes back to that "is it a blue or grey dress" I suppose. It looks white to me. Maybe there is a hint of blue you pick up with your eyes, as everybody is different. I do photography so I tend to pickup all kinds of things in photos, but don't really see the blue, at least in "my mind" Maybe i see a slight amount in the fogs at least... but not enough that i'd say "they have a blue look to them"
Rock that was a big question I got earlier this year when the lights came on the market... the lights actually do get pretty hot, that's why there is a fan in there. I don't know if it's as hot as the halogen... I don't believe so but I know in testing I have to wait for the bulbs to cool down before putting them in the packaging. So I would not worry about them "melting snow" in fact halogens are not designed by nature to be hot to "melt snow" it's just something that happens from burning that filament. I live in NY and didn't have issues this winter with snow accumulations... the best folks to ask would be our canadian friends who use them, how did they do this winter?
Rock that was a big question I got earlier this year when the lights came on the market... the lights actually do get pretty hot, that's why there is a fan in there. I don't know if it's as hot as the halogen... I don't believe so but I know in testing I have to wait for the bulbs to cool down before putting them in the packaging. So I would not worry about them "melting snow" in fact halogens are not designed by nature to be hot to "melt snow" it's just something that happens from burning that filament. I live in NY and didn't have issues this winter with snow accumulations... the best folks to ask would be our canadian friends who use them, how did they do this winter?
09-14-2016, 06:04 PM
#22
Senior Member
I'll let you know once mine go through an Ohio winter, but the main thing about that type of problem that doesn't concern me is that once you've cleaned off your headlights, unless you're driving into a terrible super wet snow storm at 10mph, the build-up shouldn't be bad enough to block your lights... I would think.
But it's true, far less heat is emanating from the LEDs, except out the rear where the heat dissipating pipe and fans are located.
It's just going to be based on anecdotal evidence at this point, I think.
But it's true, far less heat is emanating from the LEDs, except out the rear where the heat dissipating pipe and fans are located.
It's just going to be based on anecdotal evidence at this point, I think.
You, seem to be saying however, the bulb doesn't get hot, but it is the back part (driver/electronics). Is this true, and if so then I am very curious how they will work in your climate.
09-14-2016, 06:10 PM
#23
Super Moderator
They generate quite a bit of heat when they're being powered, but the way these are designed they're basically sitting on a big slice of aluminum that attaches to a heatpipe/heatsink, that is cooled by a fan in the rear pulling in cool air and pushing out warm air.
They will get warm, but they're not going to be as hot as a traditional halogen bulb that has absolutely zero ability to dissipate the heat of a burning filament other than through the glass. Unless, of course, you touch the big slice of aluminum they're sitting on, in which case expect some burns.
The biggest thing is make sure that the plastic lens on your headlight doesn't have any pits in it. If they're slick they're going to shrug off more snow and ice buildup than if they're pitted and have holes to collect and anchor that stuff.
But again, I'm speaking from not having experienced using them during a winter where we get tons of snow and ice, so that thought process is all theoretical on my part.
09-14-2016, 07:17 PM
#24
Senior Member
Well, yes and no, keep in mind how LEDs work and how they output heat based on the diode being powered. Also consider that the harder you push an LED, the hotter it gets, which is why these are only driven to ~70% of their load capacity, according to the CREE spec sheets.
They generate quite a bit of heat when they're being powered, but the way these are designed they're basically sitting on a big slice of aluminum that attaches to a heatpipe/heatsink, that is cooled by a fan in the rear pulling in cool air and pushing out warm air.
They will get warm, but they're not going to be as hot as a traditional halogen bulb that has absolutely zero ability to dissipate the heat of a burning filament other than through the glass. Unless, of course, you touch the big slice of aluminum they're sitting on, in which case expect some burns.
The biggest thing is make sure that the plastic lens on your headlight doesn't have any pits in it. If they're slick they're going to shrug off more snow and ice buildup than if they're pitted and have holes to collect and anchor that stuff.
But again, I'm speaking from not having experienced using them during a winter where we get tons of snow and ice, so that thought process is all theoretical on my part.
They generate quite a bit of heat when they're being powered, but the way these are designed they're basically sitting on a big slice of aluminum that attaches to a heatpipe/heatsink, that is cooled by a fan in the rear pulling in cool air and pushing out warm air.
They will get warm, but they're not going to be as hot as a traditional halogen bulb that has absolutely zero ability to dissipate the heat of a burning filament other than through the glass. Unless, of course, you touch the big slice of aluminum they're sitting on, in which case expect some burns.
The biggest thing is make sure that the plastic lens on your headlight doesn't have any pits in it. If they're slick they're going to shrug off more snow and ice buildup than if they're pitted and have holes to collect and anchor that stuff.
But again, I'm speaking from not having experienced using them during a winter where we get tons of snow and ice, so that thought process is all theoretical on my part.
