LED headlight heat dissipation

[bobd]

Unless someone puts a thermocouple in there and measures the temperature, it's all conjecture. My theory is that the metal bucket will transfer some heat and the holes should be enough to prevent the fan from building pressure. Other than that, I'm willing to wait and see what happens.

[greydog]

Very true. Please keep us posied.
Dan

[david premo]

FYI an HID lamp puts out more light and less heat. An incondecent bulb puts out light as a byproduct of heat. An HID lamp produces light via an arc stream, that produces UV light which is converted to “white” light based on the elliments introduced to the arc stream. Therefore high light output low wattage. Additionally extremely long life of the bulb.

[bobd]

But we're talking LED's here.

http://betterautomotivelighting.com/201 ... bulbs-get/

[greydog]

love the hids on our GTI but the leds on the Passat seem to have better cut off and a more concentrated beam.
Of course, there is 10 years of difference in techology and two different cars so not a direct comparison.

The hids require a ballast so another thing to be mounted.

Lots to consider.

Thanks
Dan

[phong13]

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!

I made the same mistake and know exactly what you're talking about. There were also 1 bulb (above the speedometer I think) that I couldn't get a LED bulb to fit. How did you manage to change them all out?

[ct06033]

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!

I made the same mistake and know exactly what you're talking about. There were also 1 bulb (above the speedometer I think) that I couldn't get a LED bulb to fit. How did you manage to change them all out?

Haha, I am glad I'm not the only one. The first set of bulbs I used were indeed to big to to fit most of the holes actually... I ended up finding these that fit every socket.

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

They are incredibly small but still plenty bright.

[Shamus980]

CT06033.., when you went leds. Did you have to change the voltage regulator?? Or was it just plug in? And I’m have the original wiring with the U20 engine. No swap for me yet.., can I still run the leds with the vintage wiring setup?? Shamus.

[phong13]

CT06033.., when you went leds. Did you have to change the voltage regulator?? Or was it just plug in? And I’m have the original wiring with the U20 engine. No swap for me yet.., can I still run the leds with the vintage wiring setup?? Shamus.

I just swapped mine out, but I cannot not use the dimmer since I didn't update the electrical.

[ct06033]

CT06033.., when you went leds. Did you have to change the voltage regulator?? Or was it just plug in? And I’m have the original wiring with the U20 engine. No swap for me yet.., can I still run the leds with the vintage wiring setup?? Shamus.

I just swapped mine out, but I cannot not use the dimmer since I didn't update the electrical.

For the dash, I just swapped them in no problem (dimmer doesn't work anymore). For the blinkers, you do need updated flashers. I can't say for the headlights since I moved to the dual relay setup before switching so I don't know if the stock headlight relay will work but no reason to believe it won't.

My headlights came with a built in ballast and it fit behind the lense easily and hooks up to the original plug.

If anything, this should be better for your stock wires as there is less draw.

[PandaBoy]

My headlights came with a built in ballast and it fit behind the lense easily and hooks up to the original plug.

If anything, this should be better for your stock wires as there is less draw.

What brand of LED headlight did you go with?

[ct06033]

My headlights came with a built in ballast and it fit behind the lense easily and hooks up to the original plug.

If anything, this should be better for your stock wires as there is less draw.

What brand of LED headlight did you go with?

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

Not really a brand name but they have been awesome, I'd recommend them.

[oppositeLock]

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

Just installed these with EF32RL flashers and they're great!

[Shamus980]

Ct06033. Thanks for the great info. I have so many projects going on simultaneously on the same car. By the Mid August I will begin the frame Off restoration on the 69 311 so I am gather parts. This way when the restoration commences there will be very little downtown waiting for parts. I want to modernize the lighting on the 311. Your input is very helpful CT. Thank you. A few questions pal. The ”cougar” headlights you recommend, is that just a bulb you replace the stock OEM with. Does it fit right into the original headlight buckets? And the running/turning lights., they come in amber., should I just buy the red bulbs also for the brake lights? Or is there other ones you used and recommend? You gave a part # but no brand so I just assume it’s the same company. Thanks again for the advice. Shamus

[ct06033]

Ct06033. Thanks for the great info. I have so many projects going on simultaneously on the same car. By the Mid August I will begin the frame Off restoration on the 69 311 so I am gather parts. This way when the restoration commences there will be very little downtown waiting for parts. I want to modernize the lighting on the 311. Your input is very helpful CT. Thank you. A few questions pal. The ”cougar” headlights you recommend, is that just a bulb you replace the stock OEM with. Does it fit right into the original headlight buckets? And the running/turning lights., they come in amber., should I just buy the red bulbs also for the brake lights? Or is there other ones you used and recommend? You gave a part # but no brand so I just assume it’s the same company. Thanks again for the advice. Shamus

I know how that can be! When I first got my roadster, I didn't know where to start I wanted to do so much!

So for the headlights, you need to find a 7" h4 conversion kit such as:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G7A9YS/re ... 6AbK0BDXX5

I purchased this set and I don't like the pattern of these, it shoots some light out the sides which is weird. There's a similar kit by ciebie that I think will have a better pattern. It installs just like if you were replacing the OEM light, nothing needs modified or changed

The stock plugs are h4 but the stock lights are sealed beam. So you need a new housing to hold the bulbs. Hope that makes sense.

For the running/turn/brake lights, you must use the color of the lens (unless it's clear, then you can go wild) otherwise the color will look off or washed out. So if you have Amber turns, you use Amber bulbs, same for red bulbs for brakes. I used the same brand and model for all the exterior lights, just different colors.

I think that answers everything.... Let me know if there's anything else! Good luck with your restoration!