TR2/3/3A LED headlights

[Scotsman]

Has anyone tried LED headlights. If so what is your opinion, and do you have info regarding installation on a TR3a, and possible issues.

They sound appealing as I recently installed Hallogen lights on my 3a while keeping my generator and I only have enough juice to keep charging the battery, and thats without the heater and windshield wipers. I am also concerned about the additional load the hallogen's create for the wiring. Relays have been suggested but it looks as though the 3a needs two relays as there is wiring going down both sides of the car, rather than the lights being hooked up in series. Am I correct?

Below is a link that discussed various light options on modern cars. It states LED's create heat at the base of the fixture that I expect could be a big issue with the old fictures and rubber seals etc.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/battle-of-the-headlights-halogen-vs-xenon-vs-led-26530.html

Richard

 

[TR3driver]

I am currently in the process of trying them, but don't have them mounted on the car as yet. My biggest concern at this point is the pattern of light produced. I'm using reasonably high quality H4 enclosures (by Bosch), but they are (presumably) designed for the filament location of a standard H4 bulb. The LED bulbs I bought have the light source spread out over a much larger area (so the focus cannot be as good as with the smaller source); and also make only a small change in location from low to high.

Installation is a bit tricky, the clamps that normally hold the H4 bulb in place had to be spread quite a bit to fit over the LED bulbs. There is also a ballast (power supply) module that has to be tucked inside the bucket. It will definitely fit, but was a bit tricky getting everything in place even with the bucket on the bench. Not sure if it will be easier or harder on the car, but I'm guessing harder.

Heat I don't think is going to be a problem, at least not for the car or gaskets. The bulbs I have actually have a heat sink to carry heat away from the LEDS, and tiny fans built into the base, so they will circulate air around inside the headlight buckets.

Here are a few pictures I took.
https://s258.photobucket.com/user/TR3driver/slideshow/Misc parts/LED H4 replacements

(The diagram on the notepad has nothing to do with headlights, it's for the custom LED turn signals that I'm also working on.)

PS I previously installed relays for the H4 headlights. Although not required, I chose to use 4 relays, one for each filament. The relays are mounted on the back of the bucket (2 per bucket), where they are hidden from view. By using 4 relays, I can have a separate circuit breaker for each headlamp (so only one goes out if a CB opens up); and I only had to run one new power wire to each bucket.



Probably overkill, and certainly not for everyone, just my choice. Relays are cheap, and I had a bad experience with the previous setup (which had two relays and a fuse for each relay). No real harm done, as all I had to do was punch the pedal for the high beams; but it's still kind of unpleasant to have the lights go out while going down a mountain on a curvy road near midnight.

 

[TomMull]

I am currently in the process of trying them, but don't have them mounted on the car as yet. My biggest concern at this point is the pattern of light produced. I'm using reasonably high quality H4 enclosures (by Bosch), but they are (presumably) designed for the filament location of a standard H4 bulb. The LED bulbs I bought have the light source spread out over a much larger area (so the focus cannot be as good as with the smaller source); and also make only a small change in location from low to high.

Randall, You've done a thorough job of identifying the issues. I'd be particularly interested in what you wind up with on the high beam low beam differential issue.
Tom

 

[Rubicon]

There are a couple of other options, but they will change the way the lights look drastically. You can use "lifetime led" they make the h4 led replacement bulb, but the guys in my jeep club are having issues with them, he's had his replaced 3 times ( iirc), as well the bulb is twisted or offset if that makes sense when it is installed in the housing, so the light pattern is diagonal ( makes sense). But they have no problems with replacement when they burn out. Or the more expensive but seems to be a better option are the "jw speaker" or "truck lights" they replace the housing with a complete led headlight that is designed for them. The downside is that they look very different. But all the people seem to have no issues with them, except for when it snows as they don't make enough heat, to keep it Ice free.but they have come out with a new design to help with that. As well there are 2 design for the truck lights a new one and older one, and it has to do with number of LEDs, but they both seem to be awesome lights, with no complaints from the jeep people that run either of them.

 

[Scotsman]

Anyone seen or tried these?
Kuryakyn Phase Seven round 7 in. L.E.D. Headlight

https://www.kuryakyn.com/products/4205/phase-7-headlamps-passing-lamps