what L.E.D bulbs will fit my 2003 headlights?
Never have i seen so much wrong information in 1 thread.
Actually, i have, but this one is definately pretty high up there.
LED's dont run hot. Not even close. I have been running LED's for city lights, interior and a few exterior lights. I at actually retrofitting my interior for "mood" lighting if you will and am using LED because they dont run hot. If they did, the tail lights on your ML350 bluetec would be melted. And Lowest Bidder, i have never seen any housing with LED bulbs running a fan to reduce heat. if they are, there is a problem with the circuit. not the bulb.
To the OP, the only reason LED's were not used in headlight bulbs (low beam and high) was because there were unable to get them bright enough, with the correct spread, to pass DOT specs. That was it.
damm, you guys made me come out of retirement for that one...geez.
Actually, i have, but this one is definately pretty high up there.
LED's dont run hot. Not even close. I have been running LED's for city lights, interior and a few exterior lights. I at actually retrofitting my interior for "mood" lighting if you will and am using LED because they dont run hot. If they did, the tail lights on your ML350 bluetec would be melted. And Lowest Bidder, i have never seen any housing with LED bulbs running a fan to reduce heat. if they are, there is a problem with the circuit. not the bulb.
To the OP, the only reason LED's were not used in headlight bulbs (low beam and high) was because there were unable to get them bright enough, with the correct spread, to pass DOT specs. That was it.
damm, you guys made me come out of retirement for that one...geez.
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 321
From: BC, Canada
LEDs are great in the lower current applications such as taillamps, DRLs, interior lights, etc. However, LEDs pose a problem in the usage as headlights where higher luminance (i.e., higher current draw) is needed.
The efficiency of LEDs drop dramatically when relatively higher luminance is required in applications such as headlamps. This is due to a characteristic of LEDs called "efficiency droop". Hence, relatively greater current has to be "pumped" into the consolidated LEDs to produce the necessary headlamp luminance. This causes substantially greater heat output than the heat produced by the LED circuitry in the lower luminance category such as interior lights, taillamps, DRLs, etc. This is the reason that the automotive mfgrs have not offered LED headlamps as a mainstream option, though I see it coming as the heat dissipation challenges are being tackled. You see mostly LED DRLs coupled with a standard (halogen or b-xenon) headlamps.
The new BMW LED headlights have cooling fans in the housings... Why? Exactly what acg said. Take a look at Rigid and all the other high power LED companies... they all use finned aluminum housings to dissipate heat. These are not like your radio shack mood lighting leds...
The new BMW LED headlights have cooling fans in the housings... Why? Exactly what acg said. Take a look at Rigid and all the other high power LED companies... they all use finned aluminum housings to dissipate heat. These are not like your radio shack mood lighting leds...
Enjoy your evening Sir.
I did NOT advise against the use of LED bulbs for general interior or exterior applications. I also mentioned using LEDs in some of my automotive projects in my first statement.
LEDs are great in the lower current applications such as taillamps, DRLs, interior lights, etc. However, LEDs pose a problem in the usage as headlights where higher luminance (i.e., higher current draw) is needed.
The efficiency of LEDs drop dramatically when relatively higher luminance is required in applications such as headlamps. This is due to a characteristic of LEDs called "efficiency droop". Hence, relatively greater current has to be "pumped" into the consolidated LEDs to produce the necessary headlamp luminance. This causes substantially greater heat output than the heat produced by the LED circuitry in the lower luminance category such as interior lights, taillamps, DRLs, etc. This is the reason that the automotive mfgrs have not offered LED headlamps as a mainstream option, though I see it coming as the heat dissipation challenges are being tackled. You see mostly LED DRLs coupled with a standard (halogen or b-xenon) headlamps.
LEDs are great in the lower current applications such as taillamps, DRLs, interior lights, etc. However, LEDs pose a problem in the usage as headlights where higher luminance (i.e., higher current draw) is needed.
The efficiency of LEDs drop dramatically when relatively higher luminance is required in applications such as headlamps. This is due to a characteristic of LEDs called "efficiency droop". Hence, relatively greater current has to be "pumped" into the consolidated LEDs to produce the necessary headlamp luminance. This causes substantially greater heat output than the heat produced by the LED circuitry in the lower luminance category such as interior lights, taillamps, DRLs, etc. This is the reason that the automotive mfgrs have not offered LED headlamps as a mainstream option, though I see it coming as the heat dissipation challenges are being tackled. You see mostly LED DRLs coupled with a standard (halogen or b-xenon) headlamps.
Not an intentional insult as I have used LED's for similar purposes... You came across as a bit insulting by saying "never have I seen so much wrong information" Its all good though, hard to read attitudes through a forum post. Here is some reading if you would like to know more about LED's and their use in high output lighting
More info on BMW's LED headlights here:
New BMW M3/M4 and 4 Series LED headlights explained
In contrast to Halogen or Xenon systems, LEDs emit “cold” light meaning that no infrared radiation is being produced. Due to the high efficiency, 20% of the input energy are transformed into visible light (for comparison a filament bulb only transforms 5%) – the rest of the energy generates heat within the semiconductor chip. Luminous flux, colour and forward voltage are dependant on the temperature. As soon as the allowed temperature is exceeded, the lifetime of the LED will be badly affected or in worst case will be destroyed.
To protect the hottest part, the chip, cooling elements with a controlled air transportation system have been developed. The systematic direction of the warm air to the bezel of the headlamp is so simultaneously being used for de-icing and decondensation.
To protect the hottest part, the chip, cooling elements with a controlled air transportation system have been developed. The systematic direction of the warm air to the bezel of the headlamp is so simultaneously being used for de-icing and decondensation.
New BMW M3/M4 and 4 Series LED headlights explained
Last edited by vette427sbc; Jul 24, 2014 at 08:46 PM.
Mudding
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 14
It's OK. My dad's retired too, and sometimes his arguments are a little outdated as well. But I still love him.
VLEDS
LED HEADLIGHT CONVERSION KITS - 1800lm 2600lm 3200lm 5200lm HIGH POWER CREE LED BULBS - HID VISION CANADA
ORACLE H13 LED Headlight Replacement Bulbs - ORACLE LED Headlight - Fog & DRL Bulbs - ORACLE Automotive Lighting Products
VLEDS
LED HEADLIGHT CONVERSION KITS - 1800lm 2600lm 3200lm 5200lm HIGH POWER CREE LED BULBS - HID VISION CANADA
ORACLE H13 LED Headlight Replacement Bulbs - ORACLE LED Headlight - Fog & DRL Bulbs - ORACLE Automotive Lighting Products
