Why replacing the headlight bulb with an LED, or HID is a bad idea.

10872 Views 111 Replies 22 Participants Last post by WI_Hedgehog, 9 d ago

siciliano

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2016

I hope the explanation below helps! If the light source(H4) is replaced by something else(HID,LED,B-Xenon HID) out of the precise focal point of the parabola reflector will hardly work efficient.
The problem with LEDs is that they typically have multiple light sources and multiple reflectors. The highest performance comes from a single light source in the precise focus of the reflector. High beam H4 has a single filament at the exact focus of the parabolic reflector:
Low beam H4 uses the internal light shield, and the filament is forward of the reflector focus:
Once you understand HOW THEY WORK, you understand why H4 E-code reflectors (which have been steadily improved since the 1970's) outperform more efficient light sources like LEDs or HIDs. You can immediately see why anything other than an H4 bulb is a bad idea. See video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zRlklsD4mI

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81 - 100 of 112 Posts

Furi15

· #81 · 1 mo ago

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macxpert

· #82 · 1 mo ago

2

Goat said:
Alright you jackasses, let's please try to stay on topic, ok?

I was a judge at a CASI chili contest this past weekend. Been doin' it for many years now.

Thanks for bringing us back in line mate.

This pic is on topic

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This pic is not

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Conwayfury

· #83 · 1 mo ago

Second photo is definitely brighter

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FURY-S1

· #84 · 1 mo ago

Nothing like a nice set of headlights. Just saying...

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WI_Hedgehog

· #85 · 1 mo ago

Goat said:
I never thought that tired old forwarded e-mail was funny even when it first came about. ....
I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand or know much about it. I have a degree in chili engineering. That's why I get to be a judge every year. I almost know what I'm talking about, but as far as you know, I know exactly what I'm talking about.

I know even less than you think I know.

But I've a better sense of humor; ignorance is bliss.

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Goat

· #86 · 1 mo ago

WI_Hedgehog said:
I know even less than you think I know.

But I've a better sense of humor; ignorance is bliss.

Humor, like most things, is relative and subjective.

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Furi15

· #87 · 1 mo ago

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Conwayfury

· #88 · 1 mo ago

Furi15 said:
View attachment 246101

I now like hockey even more

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Furi15

· #89 · 1 mo ago

Conwayfury said:
I now like hockey even more

I think that is that new franchise out of Quebec.

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todds87ss

· #90 · 1 mo ago

Furi15 said:
I think that is that new franchise out of Quebec.

[Insert tasteless puck joke here]

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Rallyrider

· #91 · 20 d ago

krashDH said:
FWIW, I have nothing left on loans. I paid them off. As well as all my vehicles and my motorcycle.

PS...

it's "How much do you have left on those student loans?"

It's "you're", not "your"

it's "have extra years" not "got extra years"

the first sentence is a run-on. You should remove the comma after camp and replace with a "." Don't forget to capitalize the "i" in "if".

I'll go ahead and hang on to the mic.

When you argument fails resort to Grammer lmao

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krashDH

· #92 · 20 d ago

Rallyrider said:
When you argument fails resort to Grammer lmao

Keep digging your hole. You're making yourself look like a donkey. Eeeyyorrrr...

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WI_Hedgehog

· #93 · 20 d ago

We have really smart people here, who are obviously passionate about the subject of headlights, and I feel fortunate to learn from so many fellow members regarding so many topics. To that end debates should remain in the top three levels of the pyramid, or at least contain a good dose of humor if we're going to dip below those.

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Respectfully,
your friendly local hedgehog

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krashDH

· #94 · 20 d ago

Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings now a days. Calling out people when they are specifically wrong about a subject, then when they try to attack something about a person, and that person strikes back with the truth about their financial situation which should have been a conversation over. So, if people want to act like idiots, that's how they'll get treated.

@WI_Hedgehog, why are you trying to protect this guy? Let him get shown up. Maybe he'll actually go research himself and stop yappin his flap.

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WI_Hedgehog

· #95 · 20 d ago

krashDH said:
Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings now a days. Calling out people when they are specifically wrong about a subject, then when they try to attack something about a person, and that person strikes back with the truth about their financial situation which should have been a conversation over. So, if people want to act like idiots, that's how they'll get treated.

@WI_Hedgehog, why are you trying to protect this guy? Let him get shown up. Maybe he'll actually go research himself and stop yappin his flap.

I'm mobile and not able to discuss this at the moment, though will send a friendly PM when I'm a bit stationary.

Let's all pause any conversation below level three for the time being until KrashDH and myself have a chance to catch up and discuss things. We'll be back, just you all be warm and fuzzy with each other meanwhile.

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WI_Hedgehog

· #96 · 15 d ago

@krashDH and I are back! 🥳
We've taken the opportunity to discuss the situation and catch up on several other topics, though did avoid discussing shaving as we could probably go on nearly forever about that subject. If you're interested in his and other member's excellent advice on that we do have a shaving forum that women might also be interested in.

OFFICIAL NOTICE

This thread is pretty hotly contested, which is all well and fine, although when members attack each other instead of restricting themselves to debating the core of the matter this is less than ideal.

As a matter of principle I must strongly suggest sticking to debating the topic and not debasing each other. Heretofore, if someone does "cross the line" (so to say) please do not follow their lead as everyone is subject to the same Official Guidelines and relative outcomes, which in plain words means you're probably going to face Administrative Action if your conversation is anywhere from "Contradiction" to "Name Calling," so if you're not strictly sticking to the top three of the debate pyramid you've pretty much earned whatever comes your way, and whining about it will not improve your standing. (Actions are managed privately so do not assume another member "got away with something" and you need to retaliate in kind as you'll likely face a similar outcome.)

That's about as fun as I can make a General Warning, and I don't like having to do so which is why it's hopefully at least mildly entertaining, and I certainly would dislike having to do anything Administrative so please let's not go there.

Respectfully,
your friendly neighborhood hedgehog

---
note if you want to discuss or complain about this post, please start or continue a thread in an Off Topic area that fits your concern, or send me a Private Message as you see appropriate.

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Goat

· #97 · 15 d ago

Now, back to the topic.

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mbaskett

· #98 · 14 d ago (Edited by Moderator)

Just this morning I was watching a vid/spot posted by Today talking about headlights and blinding oncoming drivers. The first of two major points they emphasized was color of the LEDs being more blue. I think we all agree that 4300K is ideal (most usable white light), and anything above 5500K is ridiculous.. The other topic they spoke about was general headlight aiming.. I was surprised that very few states actually include headlight aiming in their state safety inspections. I know here in TX, it's not part of inspection... (I wish it was)

Here our #1 issue is poorly aimed headlights, followed up with ppl driving with brights on all the time.. Some are [administratively removed] to know they're doing it, others do it because their low beams are poorly aimed or so cloudy that total light output is very poor..

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macxpert

· #99 · 14 d ago

mbaskett said:
Just this morning I was watching a vid/spot posted by Today talking about headlights and blinding oncoming drivers. The first of two major points they emphasized was color of the LEDs being more blue. I think we all agree that 4300K is ideal (most usable white light), and anything above 5500K is ridiculous.. The other topic they spoke about was general headlight aiming.. I was surprised that very few states actually include headlight aiming in their state safety inspections. I know here in TX, it's not part of inspection... (I wish it was)

Here our #1 issue is poorly aimed headlights, followed up with ppl driving with brights on all the time.. Some are too stupid to know they're doing it, others do it because their low beams are poorly aimed or so cloudy that total light output is very poor..

I know of people who got defect notices for their headlights not being aimed correctly but that was back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Seems to have fallen off the radar these days. My wife and I avoid driving/riding at night because we find it harder to see at night due to our age and a lot of over the top LED headlights don't make it any easier for people over 50. It's not just us, our friends are all saying the same thing. I guess it will take a few bad crashes and coverage on the 6 O'clock news before anyone takes it seriously.

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todds87ss

· #100 · 14 d ago

As most cars come today with headlight assemblies, most think that they cannot be adjusted. Likely why the state no longer tests this.
Here in the sticks, LED aux lights are mostly the issue.

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