Advice - MR16 Luxeon for offroad light

totalimpact

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Messages
9
I am looking for a set of MR16 replacement bulbs to put on my motorcycle, currently it can only power 2 35 watt halogen bulbs, but I really need more like 50 watts worth of light or 200-300 lumens. I think I need a narrower beam width around 25-30 degrees.

Can anyone comment on these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MR16-LED-bulb-Luxeon-bulb-Prolight-12V-light-bulb-cw_W0QQitemZ330043477141QQihZ014QQcategoryZ20706QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Are those 3w units any better than a single 5 watt Luxeon? Like this unit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MR16-12-Volt-LUXEON-K2-5-Watt-LED-100-Lumen-Light-Bulb_W0QQitemZ220042437736QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3240QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know the 5w guy says they are 100 Lumens, and the other 3x 3w one says 271 lumens, but these could be exaggerated. Anyone have any real experience with these, and can anyone tell me where to find a deal on them? I was thinking of running 4 lights instead of 2, but those things cost $$$
 

totalimpact

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Messages
9
anyone?

how about the Osram LE W3B ?? Any ideas on similar mounting options for those?
 

Amonra

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
779
Location
Malta
Firstly welcome to CPF and be prepared to spend a LOT of money.

The 5W K2 one uses an aspheric lens and gives an even flood beam so it's no good for your requirements. the 3x3W one uses Prolight LED's so i doubt that the output would even come close to 271 Lumens probably more like 130 - 150 lumens taking into consideration the heat and optical losses.

50W of halogen light is more than 200 - 300 lumens, probably more like 500 lumens, so in total you need about 1000 lumens.
I dont think that there is something commercially available that can give that amount of light unless it's very expensive.
My suggestion is that you build your own using Cree XR-E led's. using 6 in total should get you close to 1000 lumens. driving two sets of three XR-E's in series driven off a 12V battery using a small resistor should be possible.

Cree XR-E & narrow optics: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/140729&highlight=XR-E+testing or https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/128311
the total cost for the components should be around $90 you would have to build your own heatsink and enclosure though.
 

hotbeam

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
1,737
Location
Melb, AU
50w halogens average to 665lms.

My 2 cents.... the 3 lens one is total utter crap. There is no way that it is running at 3 x 3w. Even running 3 x 1w will be too hot for the case. Although if you dont mind replacing the bulbs every few months, then go for it! :D The other one is better but gives a flood as Amonra has pointed out. Throw will be limited. Even if it uses a narrower lens, 5w in that case is much too much. The brightest MR16 I know is can output the equivalent of a 20w halogen bulb.

The best solution to get the brightness you rquire is really to build your own.
 
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