Not sure if this is the right place for this, but LED Automotive headlights?

[jufam44]

Hello All,
I bought myself a Cadillac STS (2005) and I cannot stand the color of the high beam headlights. The main "lows" are 35w 4000k HID's, but the Highs are halogens and just awful at 3000k. I was wondering about the feasibility of replacing the High Beam with an SSC P7 (or several), or another light engine of similar power. The lenses are projector beam lenses, similar to what you'd find on a lot of luxury cars. Any advice on doing this? I'm not sure how I'd even begin to go about this, but I figured someone on the forum might!

Thanks
-Max

 

[Curt R]

There are Federal laws and specifications mandating the output beam pattern of headlamps. They must be engineered for that application. However there is no limits as to add on lamps. High performance LED heads may be mounted, adjusted and activated with an auxiliary switch instead of using the high beam in the car.

Curt

 

[bstumm]

I know of a place called Grote Industries that manufacturers LED based lighting assemblies (including headlights) for both military and commercial customers. I'm sure you could find an aftermarket headlight designed as a drop in replacement for your vehicle. I considered changing the tail/stop lights on my 1990 mercedes to LED system, there are aftermarket versions available even for this older car.

 

[mds82]

I know that low beams are very regulated by federal law, however are there the same restrictions for High beam's as well? If there arent as many restrictions for High beams, then its would be feasible to drop in 3-6 MCE's of P7's, a side and you will have bright high beams. Of course you would need to have adequate heat sinking.

 

[kan3]

If it's just the color that is an issue...wouldn't changing to different bulb be easier?

 

[bshanahan14rulz]

mds82, you aren't going to even provide a link? I thought the hayabusa build was awesome!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=228933

 

[LukeA]

mds82, you aren't going to even provide a link? I thought the hayabusa build was awesome!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=228933

Not street legal for an automobile.

 

[kan3]

Not street legal for an automobile.

It's not street legal for a bike either as it's not longer DOT approved.

 

[LukeA]

It's not street legal for a bike either as it's not longer DOT approved.

The auxiliary high beam part of it is perfectly legal on the bike.

 

[bshanahan14rulz]

Not street legal for an automobile.

I know that. That's why you call it an off-road auxiliary light

Seriously, though, when high beams of all sorts will glare or put a blind spot in people's eyes, what does it matter what color it is? Stuff is only as safe as the person using it.

My lighting is illegal. No doubt about it. It's also safer. Just because something is legal doesn't mean it is the safest. Also, just because something is illegal doesn't mean that it is wrong. I know that people want to improve their lighting, and most of the time, that means crossing the line between legal and illegal. I figure as long as they are going to be breaking the law, they might as well be safer by doing it. Gives me warm feeling in my eyesockets when I see people who are hell-bent on HIDs convert from a PnP kit to a full-on retrofit

 

[LukeA]

It's also safer.

Maybe if there weren't other people on the road with you. Otherwise, that's false.

 

[znomit]

Not street legal for an automobile.

I didn't get what the fuss was about on that thread.
The beamshots were horrible.

 

[MichaelW]

Doesn't your STS use HB3/9005 bulbs for the high beam?
So upgrade to HIR1/9011
http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

or lower the CCT of you HID low beams?

 

[jufam44]

I'm more after having a LED-based, bulb-less solution than upgrading the color temperature via another filament based bulb. If possible I could live with HID-based High's, but it doesn't seem very practical as the ballast would be on-off due to automatic-highbeams being standard feature. Would it be possible to create a custom heatsink and MR-E array? or SSC P7's driven at full?

Thanks
-Max

 

[bshanahan14rulz]

Maybe if there weren't other people on the road with you. Otherwise, that's false.

Lucky for you I'm not going to PA anytime soon.

And yes, if other people are on the road, it would be less safe, as my setup is dimmer than my stock lights from head-on. Perhaps I need to upgrade my signals to custom LED arrays :devil:

Max, it's gonna be a lot of DIY work, so unless you're willing to spend a lot of time, research, etc, I'd look for another route. It's definitely possible, but reliability could be an issue. Having to operate in high heat conditions sometimes.