LED headlight heat dissipation

[oppositeLock]

For those of you using LED headlights, any issues with heat dissipation? Recommendations on brand+model?

[bobd]

I got LED bulbs with fans in them & drilled two 3/8" holes in each h/l bucket to allow air flow. Don't drive it much at night, but not had any problems.

[Lorna c]

if your doing dash also get these kind I have on top of the first picture. they'll fit nicely . the running lights are more forgiving on shape and size . the headlamps I'm not sure if there's any different kinds but these work well for me ,and a good price .

I haven't noticed any heat issues and I've had these almost a year now .. plug and play basically for all these lights .

[Lorna c]

not the circled ones !

[ct06033]

For the dash, I used SuperbrightLEDs.com

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -car/3/15/

A word of caution, replacing the left/right blinker indicators was a mistake... LEDs are too bright and my entire cabin flashes green at night when i set the indicator!

As for headlights, i used these, so far they are fantastic and outperform the HIDs on my Audi.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H6 ... UTF8&psc=1

Lastly, for the external indicators/running lights i used these. They look great and have a good difference in output between running and flashing (or indicating braking)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071F ... UTF8&psc=1

[greydog]

May I have installation details (wiring, mounting, modifications) for the headlights?
Dan

[oppositeLock]

For the dash, I used SuperbrightLEDs.com

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -car/3/15/

A word of caution, replacing the left/right blinker indicators was a mistake... LEDs are too bright and my entire cabin flashes green at night when i set the indicator!

As for headlights, i used these, so far they are fantastic and outperform the HIDs on my Audi.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H6 ... UTF8&psc=1

So you bought a sealed beam H4 headlight replacement and swapped out the bulbs for the LED units? What a great idea. Better than buying the entire LED headlamp replacement.

Lastly, for the external indicators/running lights i used these. They look great and have a good difference in output between running and flashing (or indicating braking)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071F ... UTF8&psc=1

Presumably you swapped out the flasher can for a modern unit?

[oppositeLock]

I got LED bulbs with fans in them & drilled two 3/8" holes in each h/l bucket to allow air flow. Don't drive it much at night, but not had any problems.

Can you tell me where on the bucket you drilled the holes? I'm wondering about moisture getting there from splashing through water or whatever. I'm expecting to be driving a few hours at a stretch...so definitely want to avoid heat buildup.

As an aside, I'm going the LED route in order to stay with the 30a alternator and not take the current hit of a standard 65w/55w halogen. I also have a pair of 35W halogen "foglights" (totally legal! ). Those are on a relay and I'll do the same with the new headlights

[bobd]

I got LED bulbs with fans in them & drilled two 3/8" holes in each h/l bucket to allow air flow. Don't drive it much at night, but not had any problems.

Can you tell me where on the bucket you drilled the holes? I'm wondering about moisture getting there from splashing through water or whatever. I'm expecting to be driving a few hours at a stretch...so definitely want to avoid heat buildup.

As an aside, I'm going the LED route in order to stay with the 30a alternator and not take the current hit of a standard 65w/55w halogen. I also have a pair of 35W halogen "foglights" (totally legal! ). Those are on a relay and I'll do the same with the new headlights

I drilled the holes at 10:00 & 2:00 to avoid as much water splashing in as possible. I have no top for the car so there won't be much driving in the rain - on purpose anyway.

[greydog]

What is airflow of fan? In thru rear and out past fins or other way?
Im thinking maybe more holes and tube to duct out back ofhousing or remove all but lens mount ring.
Seems like two small holes is not enough for good air flow.
Dan

[ct06033]

For the dash, I used SuperbrightLEDs.com

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... -car/3/15/

A word of caution, replacing the left/right blinker indicators was a mistake... LEDs are too bright and my entire cabin flashes green at night when i set the indicator!

As for headlights, i used these, so far they are fantastic and outperform the HIDs on my Audi.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H6 ... UTF8&psc=1

So you bought a sealed beam H4 headlight replacement and swapped out the bulbs for the LED units? What a great idea. Better than buying the entire LED headlamp replacement.

Lastly, for the external indicators/running lights i used these. They look great and have a good difference in output between running and flashing (or indicating braking)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071F ... UTF8&psc=1

Presumably you swapped out the flasher can for a modern unit?

Yep I used these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001G72S ... b_pd_title

I didn't modify the housing at all, everything fits and I haven't had any cooling issues yet.theres more options for lights and such going this direction not to mention, it is significantly cheaper

For the turn signals, I did change out the flasher cans for something modern.

[AC77]

I'm not using anything special for cooling. Spent more $ and went with a set from Vintage Car LEDs and upgraded to the Hella H4 Lens. Haven't noticed any issues. I haven't done a ton of night driving, but had two 2+ hour night drives and they seemed fine.

[ct06033]

If you look at the headlight housing, air gets routed around the reflector (I noticed this once when driving off after a wash. ) So im not sure additional cooling is needed for LEDs.

[greydog]

Ah Id thought it fairly dealed.
If ait can move thru pretty freely. Why not remove the rear of the housing. Or, at least swiss cheese it?
Ive been watching the led headlamps come down but was concerned with heat dissapation.
Heat, over time, kills leds. Thats why the cooling fins and fans (and my questions about air flow).
Dan

[greydog]

Goddam tablet is hard to type. Sorry for all the typos.
I meant to say:
Ah, I'd thought it fairly sealed.
If air can move thru fairly easily, etc.

Dan