Lights?
Lights?
Im thinking of getting some Cibie H4 conversion lamps for my 300turbo, since euro headlamps are a bit more than I want to spend (and I like the look of the U.S. spec headlights better anyway). Anywaay Im thinking of ordering them from danielsternlighting.com and was wondering if anybody else has bought lamps from there, and if so any positives/negatives?
Thanks
they are possibly good. But I prefer http://www.deltalights.com/
I have them in my El Camino http://deltatechindustries.com/lights_resto.html
And in my Jeep http://deltatechindustries.com/site/01-1249-50X
And LOVE them! They work fuggin awesome That's all I can say haha
Whoa wtf I am really surprised to see they have lead crystal lenses, that's pretty much the only reason I was goin with the Cibie's vs Bosch or some other H4 lamp replacements, and plus it seems like it will save about $25 for a pair of lamps!! Im thinkin of maybe puttin some 70/65 watt bulbs in them, not sure how legal that will be but at least I'll be able to see where the hell Im goin
Yeah man they are killer! The bulbs that come with them are ok to start with but I put a pair of the Piaa 110/100W Xtreme White bulbs... Hella bright! http://www.shopatron.com/products/produc...0856/353.0
That's awesome, definitely gonna be ordering some after I get the CSU system to reimburse me the money they owe me, which should hopefully be in the next couple of weeks, or next time I get payed since this paycheck is goin towards some Ray-Bans and a leather jacket
Cool. You wont be disappointed!
Lamps ordered!!! Im hoping they arrive wednesday or maybe friday, next thing is to find some 75/70 or 70/65 watt bulbs for a little extra brightness over the 60/55 watt ones they come with
As long as you have full voltage to them they will be nice. Those Piaa's are killer though!
Im kicking myself for not ordering them sooner!!! Hopefully they arrive tomorrow since they only have to come a couple hundred miles and they were supposedly shipped yesterday, because delivering pizzas in the middle of nowhere in the dark with sealed beams is unpleasant to say the least
Lamps arrived yesterday, tested them out last night, the difference was pretty much night and day!!! Super ultra bright, and the beam pattern is vastly superior, I just need to aim them down a little bit because I was blinding people a mile or two ahead of me lol
Mind posting a link to the ones you decided upon?
Adjustments are VERY important! Use this guide and you will find another night and day difference!!!
[edit]this url was removed[/edit]
AND LETS SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE!!!!
(11-24-2011, 06:42 PM)w123love Mind posting a link to the ones you decided upon?
(11-25-2011, 04:58 PM)Captain America Adjustments are VERY important! Use this guide and you will find another night and day difference!!!
AND LETS SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE!!!!
(11-24-2011, 06:42 PM)w123love Mind posting a link to the ones you decided upon?
(11-25-2011, 04:58 PM)Captain America Adjustments are VERY important! Use this guide and you will find another night and day difference!!!
AND LETS SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE!!!!
Here's a close up of one of the lamps, I'll post some pictures of the beams later when its dark out
I also had a few other lighting related questions.
1. Has anybody put police style spotlights on their Mercedes, and if so was it very difficult?
2. Is the additional brake light mod just a matter of getting another socket and putting it in the spare hole and wiring it up to the existing light on either side? If so I think its on my to-do list for tomorrow
re 2: in a word, yes. Mercedessource and peachparts both, until recently, used to sell a ~$15 kit which fills the empty socket and splices-in to the existing brake light, to give you four brake lights. But I don't see these kits on their websites now. I would venture to speculate that someone is about to introduce something better. Perhaps a four-running-light, four-brake-light kit based on 1157 rather than 1156 bulbs. Probably LED bulbs, to keep the total wattage down.
If that's the case then I'll just pull the sockets out of my extra mercedes. Hadn't though about using LED's, but it seems like a good idea, do the 1157's have the same base?
Also, Im jsut curios if the things surrounding the head lamps (and the hood for that matter) look good painted any other color than black? Mine are getting kind of cracked so I though I might as well paint them and am thinking of going with metallic paint
(11-28-2011, 12:38 AM)sassparilla_kid ...Hadn't thought about using LED's, but it seems like a good idea...
(11-28-2011, 12:38 AM)sassparilla_kid ..., do the 1157's have the same base?
(11-28-2011, 12:38 AM)sassparilla_kid ...Hadn't thought about using LED's, but it seems like a good idea...
(11-28-2011, 12:38 AM)sassparilla_kid ..., do the 1157's have the same base?
LED's in our cars taillights is a big no no. You would have to use well over $300 worth of LED diodes, resistors, and drivers just to make them as bright as stock. Then there's the big problem, Heat. LED's put out a tremendous amount of heat, and require a heatsink.
Those cheap 1156, and 1157 led pnp bulbs are exactly that, CHEAP. They don't even put out 1/10th of the usable light of a traditional 1156 bulb.
(11-28-2011, 01:48 AM)mike-81-240d LED's in our cars taillights is a big no no. You would have to use well over $300 worth of LED diodes, resistors, and drivers just to make them as bright as stock. Then there's the big problem, Heat. LED's put out a tremendous amount of heat, and require a heatsink.
Those cheap 1156, and 1157 led pnp bulbs are exactly that, CHEAP. They don't even put out 1/10th of the usable light of a traditional 1156 bulb.
(11-28-2011, 01:48 AM)mike-81-240d LED's in our cars taillights is a big no no. You would have to use well over $300 worth of LED diodes, resistors, and drivers just to make them as bright as stock. Then there's the big problem, Heat. LED's put out a tremendous amount of heat, and require a heatsink.
Those cheap 1156, and 1157 led pnp bulbs are exactly that, CHEAP. They don't even put out 1/10th of the usable light of a traditional 1156 bulb.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_lumen..._1156_bulb
Make sure to read the first paragraph explaining the proper focal point. Our stock taillights rely on this.
Well, we don't live that far apart; PM me, let's get together some night and compare, perhaps using a camera. I'm free Wednesday and Thursday nights this week. I would like to see your HID setup. Ted tells me your car is really nice-looking, I would like to admire it.
Ok I will forget about the LED idea and just use a regular bulb. I keep coming up with more questions!! Is there any advantage/disadvantage to replacing the amber front corner lenses with clear ones, or is it mostly a matter of aesthetics? It seems like the clear ones just look a little cleaner and amber bulbs could always be used along with them
(11-28-2011, 03:58 AM)sassparilla_kid Ok I will forget about the LED idea...
(11-28-2011, 03:58 AM)sassparilla_kid Ok I will forget about the LED idea...
So I understand that red bulbs/LED's do not need to be as bright since the lense itself is red, but what is an acceptable number of lumens if useing a red bulb opposed to a white one? I like the idea of having the bulbs come on faster for additional safety, since safety is the reason I would like to add the extra brake lamps (its starting to get pretty foggy around here in the evenings). A trip to the auto parts store may be in order to get a set to compare contrast them on things such as brightness and heat etc.
(11-29-2011, 01:01 AM)sassparilla_kid ...red bulbs/LED's do not need to be as bright since the lens itself is red, but what is an acceptable number of lumens if using a red bulb opposed to a white one?...
(11-29-2011, 01:01 AM)sassparilla_kid ...red bulbs/LED's do not need to be as bright since the lens itself is red, but what is an acceptable number of lumens if using a red bulb opposed to a white one?...
I think I might have to go get some later then, the only thing Im concerned with is the heat LED's generate, but even that seems like it shouldn't be too much of an issue considering the brake lights are only on when the brakes are applied so I wouldn't think they would have very much time to heat up unless sitting at a stop light. A side-by-side comparison would be nice though
Now I want some led brake lights!! Can you tell me what model they are and I can order them from the internetz. Save me a trip to the auto store.
www.VLEDs.com
www.superbrightleds.com
Just returned from O'Reilly auto, and am a little disappointed they didn't have the 1156 LED's only 1157, I guess next place to check is Pep Boys tomorrow when Im done with my classes and if they dont have them there is an autozone I can get to on thursday. When I find the bulbs I will post pictures of a side-by-side comparison and not any heat differences etc.
Here is one at amazon for $11ea
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Clean-1156LED...714&sr=1-5
That's what you're going for, right?
That looks like it but at the auto parts store earlier they were only like $16 for a pair of them, only they didn't have quite the correct ones.
(11-29-2011, 04:23 PM)larsalan Now I want some led brake lights!! Can you tell me what model they are and I can order them from the internetz. Save me a trip to the auto store.
(11-29-2011, 04:23 PM)larsalan Now I want some led brake lights!! Can you tell me what model they are and I can order them from the internetz. Save me a trip to the auto store.
Looks like AZ will ship them to you too for that 16.99. 30 days free shipping trial.
here are some for under $10
http://www.amazon.com/1156-19-LED-Light-...fsrc=fstfx
(11-29-2011, 08:47 PM)larsalan ...They say 'super bright' but who knows with this hong kong stuff. I'll get them for $3 ...
(11-29-2011, 08:47 PM)larsalan ...They say 'super bright' but who knows with this hong kong stuff. I'll get them for $3 ...
Aren't LED's supposed to be inherently cooler than typical incandescent bulbs? I though that was one of the advantages of them, along with using less energy?
(11-30-2011, 12:51 AM)sassparilla_kid Aren't LED's supposed to be inherently cooler than typical incandescent bulbs? I though that was one of the advantages of them, along with using less energy?
(11-30-2011, 12:51 AM)sassparilla_kid Aren't LED's supposed to be inherently cooler than typical incandescent bulbs? I though that was one of the advantages of them, along with using less energy?
(11-30-2011, 05:37 AM)larsalan But that high wattage is killing your performance.
(11-30-2011, 05:37 AM)larsalan But that high wattage is killing your performance.
(11-30-2011, 12:51 AM)sassparilla_kid Aren't LED's supposed to be inherently cooler than typical incandescent bulbs? I though that was one of the advantages of them, along with using less energy?
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d You're thinking of High intensity Discharge lamps, they run cooler than standard bulbs.
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d I used to play with LED's on my old W123, and still do from time to time on this current W123. I've done the dome lamp, rear dome lamp, glove box lamp, city lamps, rear side marker lamps, license plate lamps, and once tried the front turn signals. All are gone, here's why...
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d ...I have 27 watt instead of 21 watt 1156 bulbs (made by osram/sylvania), in waxed euro tailight housings, with polished internal reflectors...
(11-30-2011, 12:51 AM)sassparilla_kid Aren't LED's supposed to be inherently cooler than typical incandescent bulbs? I though that was one of the advantages of them, along with using less energy?
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d You're thinking of High intensity Discharge lamps, they run cooler than standard bulbs.
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d I used to play with LED's on my old W123, and still do from time to time on this current W123. I've done the dome lamp, rear dome lamp, glove box lamp, city lamps, rear side marker lamps, license plate lamps, and once tried the front turn signals. All are gone, here's why...
(11-30-2011, 04:03 AM)mike-81-240d ...I have 27 watt instead of 21 watt 1156 bulbs (made by osram/sylvania), in waxed euro tailight housings, with polished internal reflectors...
So, I put in those cheapo fleabay led brake lights. They aren't melting any lenses. But I did see them flicking and whatnot while the motor was at idle and I was walking behind it. This cold weather always throws gremlins into my car.
Haha, the cold weather makes the tumblers in my trunk lock shrink just enough that my key doesn't work :/
Since this is also a LED light thread just thought I'd post my $0.02 about LED's in the instrument cluster.
I started this thread: http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/show...p?tid=1293 in august of 2010. I have not done anything to the lights or the instrument cluster since this time and have had no issues at all with the LED's in the instrument cluster.
I just got my mother-in-law's 300D up and running and will probably be doing these on her car as well. I have an extra instrument cluster so I may try wiring up the different color LED's and use a switch of some sort to change the colors. Depending on how things go I may be able to setup some sort of "kit" if somebody wanted me to do the "hard" part for them (soldering.. haha). Then all you would have to do is put them in the cluster in place of your fiber optic lenses and you're good to go.
Awesome let us know how it turns out!
Okay so I was thinking earlier "hmmm it would be nice if the numbers on the dash would 'pop' with brightness" and then it occurred to me, what about if it was painted/coated with something that made it glow under ultraviolet light or something similar. It seems like if one could find some small blacklights and manage to install them in the cluster, the white numbers on the speedo would be super visible, and I dont think it woud be difficult to go over any of the other stuff with white, or whatever other color you wanted that would glow.
Or is this not feasable for some reasons I dont know about?
Alright so I finally got around to installing my extra brake lights yesterday, now I'm gonna start looking around for some LED's and test stuff like differences in temp, brightness, how quickly they illuminate, etc.
Can anybody explain to me the difference between a Halogen H4 bulb and a Xenon H4 bulb? I am so confused
Also, I just discovered the place I got my H4 conversion lamps from have what they call "Euro" style, with an extra city bulb. I'm hoping these are new because I'm gonna have to kick myself if I find out they had them this whole time
Im surprised nobody has called Mike on his "knowledge"of LED vs incandescent bulbs. LED lights as designed don't generate heat like incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs use 21 Watts to make those 500ish lumens whereas a decent 1156 bulb will useless than 3 Watts to produce 160 lumens. 1/7th the power, 1/3rd the light (but in the correct color spectrum). The way the LED bulb is more efficient is that it doesn't produce heat as a byproduct of light output.
If mike was melting taillight lenses, he had other problems than his bulbs.
I posted the same question up on facebook earlier about the H4 lights and he commented on it, he seems to know his stuff
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?
LED? what? what're you trying to do with LEDs? I know a trick or two.
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?
LED bulbs are, as started earlier, a great safety upgrade for brake lights. They start to illuminate quite a bit quicker than traditional filament bulbs. To round out the looks package, they cab also be used in the turn signal housing with the addition of an electronic flasher relay in place of the stock resistance-sensitive relay. That's what causes the fast flash or solid light problems people have. Don't use resistors. That's a half-ass measure that negates the lower power requirements of LEDs and makes just as much heat as incandescent bulbs.