LED headlights

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tombrownzz

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#71305 8-Nov-2010 17:35

I was looking at these new LED headlights:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#Advantages

Basically they are better than the normal headlights. Can I just buy some LED headlight bulbs and fit them into my existing headlight area on my car or do I need to purchase a conversion kit of some sort?

rscole86

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#401784 8-Nov-2010 17:43

I suggest you have a read of the wof requirements, especially in regards to diffuse lighting, and HID headlamp units.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/virm-in-service-certification/docs/gen-4-lighting.pdf (1.0MB)

richms

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#401796 8-Nov-2010 18:15

No you cant, but it seems that the requirement for type appoved lamps escapes most warrant places, with them passing random LED retrofit tail/brake lamps in the factory fittings made for incandesents, passing stupid clear lights with no reflector present, passing other stupid clear lights that cant _possibly_ meet any of the legal standards that are accepted, and allowing cars with badly alligned projector lights as well.

I dont see any benifit of LED over a proper HID projector lamp, and since you want a sharp cut off, the large emmiter area of the LED means that you have to work harder to get it.

HID lamps will outlast the car normally, and at $300 or so to replace are not a massive cost, who knows how the LEDs will last and what replacement units will cost?

Richard rich.ms