LED headlamps

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XJR Jason
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LED headlamps

#1 Post by XJR Jason » Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:16 pm

I'm looking at swaping out my headlamp on thr XJR for a complete LED unit.

Something similar to the attached pic.

Just wondered if anyone had gone down that route, and which one bought etc etc
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RiceBurner
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Re: LED headlamps

#2 Post by RiceBurner » Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:57 am

Do they actually give better light??

They certainly look 'bright' - but that doesn't actually mean they give a good light pattern on the road, and I've seen certain headlights that are almost useless because the light is scattered all over the place.

Do any of the manufacturers give you a beam-pattern diagram that they claim their product meets?

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Re: LED headlamps

#3 Post by fatboy » Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:14 pm

I fitted an LED H7 to the RC8 and is is simply brilliant !
As it's a standard bulb format I cant vouch for any of the odd looking replacements available on line
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mangocrazy
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Re: LED headlamps

#4 Post by mangocrazy » Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:49 pm

I've only used LED lamps on my old VW T4 van, but that made a staggering difference. Before it was bordeline dangerous, like having two lethargic glow-worms illuminating the road ahead. Now I've come over all Jimmy Cliff - geddit?

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BikerGran
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Re: LED headlamps

#5 Post by BikerGran » Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:13 pm

mangocrazy wrote:
Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:49 pm
I've only used LED lamps on my old VW T4 van, but that made a staggering difference. Before it was bordeline dangerous, like having two lethargic glow-worms illuminating the road ahead. Now I've come over all Jimmy Cliff - geddit?
Were they a straight swap or did you have to do rewiring and stuff? I'd like some decent lights on my T5.
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wastegate
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Re: LED headlamps

#6 Post by wastegate » Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:15 pm

fatboy wrote:
Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:14 pm
I fitted an LED H7 to the RC8 and is is simply brilliant !
As it's a standard bulb format I cant vouch for any of the odd looking replacements available on line
May I ask what make and model and did you need to make any modifications to the lamp or surround? I assume it doesn't produce enough heat to worry about the lens? Reading about it a bit elsewhere and people are talking about fans and installing power units which sounds a bit painful ... I just want a simple plug and play upgrade. Cheers.
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Re: LED headlamps

#7 Post by fatboy » Wed Jan 08, 2020 6:27 pm

Just swap out the bulb, install new wiring with ballast box, simple on an RC8 (once you have removed the headlight, fairing panels and air ducts).
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Re: LED headlamps

#8 Post by mangocrazy » Thu Jan 09, 2020 5:40 pm

BikerGran wrote:
Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:13 pm
mangocrazy wrote:
Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:49 pm
I've only used LED lamps on my old VW T4 van, but that made a staggering difference. Before it was bordeline dangerous, like having two lethargic glow-worms illuminating the road ahead. Now I've come over all Jimmy Cliff - geddit?
Were they a straight swap or did you have to do rewiring and stuff? I'd like some decent lights on my T5.
It all really depend on individual cases, how much room there is around the headlamp assembly etc. LED headlights are not just the bulb, there are cooling fins or mesh straps, sometimes a fan and also a ballast box, which tends to be about the size of a (small) matchbox. First thing to do is to see how much space you have in the headlamp area.

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Re: LED headlamps

#9 Post by wastegate » Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:17 pm

Cheers looks like it need some research.
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BikerGran
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Re: LED headlamps

#10 Post by BikerGran » Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:24 pm

mangocrazy wrote:
Thu Jan 09, 2020 5:40 pm

It all really depend on individual cases, how much room there is around the headlamp assembly etc. LED headlights are not just the bulb, there are cooling fins or mesh straps, sometimes a fan and also a ballast box, which tends to be about the size of a (small) matchbox. First thing to do is to see how much space you have in the headlamp area.
Sounds like a job for a man who can.
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mangocrazy
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Re: LED headlamps

#11 Post by mangocrazy » Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:28 pm

It wasn't that difficult on the T4, but every model year the manufacturers cram more stuff in, so I wouldn't know about the T5. And beware of cheap LED lamps - the beam pattern is rubbish.

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Re: LED headlamps

#12 Post by BikerGran » Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:18 pm

If it was just an easy swop I'd do it but as a bigger job it's probably not woth it, I don't drive in the dark all that much anyway, and I'm saving pennies for some steel wheels and all terrain tyres.

Just waiting for some one to say "Shouldn't this be in........." :smt003 But I don't think there's a 4 wheel section.....
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