LED low beam conversion 9006 bulb (1 Viewer)

[SwissEd]

Hi guys,
Any recent experience using LED plug and play conversion? Are they DOT approved? I have been happy with PIAA replacement bulbs but now living in Europe and need to keep lights on 24 hr in. Switzerland and Denmark so lots of cycling on--off. Any guidance welcome. Do NOT want anything that draws attention to "upgrade". Many thanks
PS saw Torchstar offering something and also a CREE bulb seems to be available.

 

[costalcat]

I used these in my fogs but also tried them in my low beams. They are nice they have cooling fins on the back no additional wiring pretty much plug and play...

Here are what they look like in the fogs

No issues so far, no flickering or anything. Pretty good price point @89$ US

 

[SwissEd]

Thanks for sharing. Do you think they are more powerful than the PIAA halogen bulbs-- I use there bulbs but they tend to only last max a couple of years. More recently since we have 24hr lights requirement in Switzerland I suspect they will blow sooner, hence why I exploring the LED option and their known long life. Thanks again. Where did you source them?

 

[costalcat]

They are very bright. I had some high-end 9006 in the fogs and these are definitely brighter. Some folks say that without a projector lens LEDS defuse quickly and can be a very reflective in the snow. I have not tested them in snow but I drive a lot of back country roads and they are great so far. Here is a link from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-90...&sr=8-1&keywords=led+headlight+9006+torchstar

 

[subzero]

Newegg has a brand of these on sale for $30.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4YY2KS8943

 

[apdxyk]

Neweggers are only 700 lumens

 

[bctlex]

I think stock 9006 bulb has 1000 lumens. 700 lumens LED is not an upgrade, unless I am missing something?

 

[uHu]

The Torchstar from Amazon is the first LED bulb I've seen that looks like it could work OK.
One general problem with Leds is that the light emits from a point outside the center of the reflector. A halogen filament is at the exact center of the reflector, which is what the reflector is designed for, and that gives a good light distribution. With Leds, the emitters are always somewhat offcenter, which then throws the light in a bit different direction from the reflector. Even a small distance from the center makes a huge difference in the angle of the reflected light. This particular bulb is very thin, and the emitters are closer to the center than on most other Led bulbs. Looks promising.
The four feedbacks in Amazon on this bulb do not mention light distribution as an issue, so that's good.

The description mentions that if the bulb gets too hot, the light output is reduced. How will this work in practical terms? Will the light be on the low setting half the time if they are on continously? Or only on hot days? One drawback on the 100 (and on most cars nowadays) is that the low beam is on even when the high beam is on, which makes the lows run hotter, and last shorter.

Then it's the issue of radio noise, which is a general problem with Led drivers (integrated in the bulb), and with USB/cellphone chargers as well. This is mentioned by one of the reviewers on Amazon. The original radio in my 100s is particularly sensitive to interference, and any cheap Led or USB charger interferes with radio reception on FM. Even the Garmin GPS, which supposedly is of high quality, interferes slightly on weak stations. So what will this relatively high power Led bulb do?

The color temperature of 6000 K is slightly whiter than most halogen bulbs, so it will look different from original.

There is also the issue of lamp housing temperature. With halogen, the housing and glass (lens) is kept at a relatively high temperature, wich reduces problems with humidity inside the housing, and keeps the glass free from snow. With a LED bulb, the power is lower, and most of it is emitted at the back, outside the lamp housing, where the cooling fins are. What will this do during snowy winters?

Awaiting more feedback

 

[costalcat]

@uHu I have had zero problems with the Torchstars from my amazon link.. I have stock audio with upgraded speakers and no noise. I run with my lights and fogs on all the time because folks see it better than the DDL's no heat issues to date ...