Building a replacement cap for sealing headlamps after converting to HID or LED
#167
Burning Brakes
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At the risk of jumping randomly between topics, I re-adjusted my headlight aim tonight... and did my first extended night drive, re-aiming a few times until I was happy... and now with clean lenses and properly rotated bulbs all I can say is... WOW!! THIS IS WHAT THE H4 HEADLIGHT WAS MEANT TO BE!!
I initially had the headlights aimed quite low, with the cutoff perhaps 50 yards in front of the car, and felt quite unimpressed. Sure the light was bright, but at least prior to tonight the coverage seemed uneven with brighter and less bright areas on the ground. Maybe it was cleaning the lenses or just raising the aim a bit, but now I have the cutoff perhaps 125-150 yards out and have a bright, clean, very even pool of amazing light everywhere in front. Nice wide dispersion too. Did a lot of driving on different roads to make sure they're low enough to not blind cars in front. Super impressed, this is FAR better than with 55/60 halogens or even the higher 100 watt bulbs I once tried! No comparison at all. The LED makes this a completely different and far superior headlight... Really unlocking its potential after all these years!
Negatives? Not really any at this point. I do think that the beam pattern is not QUITE identical to what it was with the H4s. I think there does seem to be a hot spot at the base of the V in the pattern, which is arguably a good thing, and I notice a bit of a scalloping effect on the upper right (echoes of the multiple LED elements?) But overall any differences are insignificant and far outweighed by the quality and quantity of light.
I'm picking up reflective signs on the right at distance, and far more clearly than with the old bulbs... and high beam is a monster! My very nonscientific estimate is that I'm easily illuminating signs and at least parts of the road a half mile ahead. Probably double the effective range of the 55/60s. In fact the reflection from signs straight ahead on high beam can itself be blinding! Ouch!
Super happy with the conversion. And SUPER happy with Ed's kit, without which I would never have even touched LED's. So for anyone on the fence, I give the whole package a HUGE thumbs up! And of course, I have no financial or other interest in any of the above. Thanks Ed!
Questions: Do folks aim L and R beams to converge at some point or leave them parallel? I used a straightedge between the lenses to aim them parallel, and they appear to be perfectly parallel. I like it this way but can see how beams set to converge could give better coverage at the convergence distance. Also just curious but is there a standard or other recommendation for vertical aim applicable to the H4s? Curious how the lights were "intended" to be aimed.
Rick
I initially had the headlights aimed quite low, with the cutoff perhaps 50 yards in front of the car, and felt quite unimpressed. Sure the light was bright, but at least prior to tonight the coverage seemed uneven with brighter and less bright areas on the ground. Maybe it was cleaning the lenses or just raising the aim a bit, but now I have the cutoff perhaps 125-150 yards out and have a bright, clean, very even pool of amazing light everywhere in front. Nice wide dispersion too. Did a lot of driving on different roads to make sure they're low enough to not blind cars in front. Super impressed, this is FAR better than with 55/60 halogens or even the higher 100 watt bulbs I once tried! No comparison at all. The LED makes this a completely different and far superior headlight... Really unlocking its potential after all these years!
Negatives? Not really any at this point. I do think that the beam pattern is not QUITE identical to what it was with the H4s. I think there does seem to be a hot spot at the base of the V in the pattern, which is arguably a good thing, and I notice a bit of a scalloping effect on the upper right (echoes of the multiple LED elements?) But overall any differences are insignificant and far outweighed by the quality and quantity of light.
I'm picking up reflective signs on the right at distance, and far more clearly than with the old bulbs... and high beam is a monster! My very nonscientific estimate is that I'm easily illuminating signs and at least parts of the road a half mile ahead. Probably double the effective range of the 55/60s. In fact the reflection from signs straight ahead on high beam can itself be blinding! Ouch!
Super happy with the conversion. And SUPER happy with Ed's kit, without which I would never have even touched LED's. So for anyone on the fence, I give the whole package a HUGE thumbs up! And of course, I have no financial or other interest in any of the above. Thanks Ed!
Questions: Do folks aim L and R beams to converge at some point or leave them parallel? I used a straightedge between the lenses to aim them parallel, and they appear to be perfectly parallel. I like it this way but can see how beams set to converge could give better coverage at the convergence distance. Also just curious but is there a standard or other recommendation for vertical aim applicable to the H4s? Curious how the lights were "intended" to be aimed.
Rick
Last edited by rjtw; 08-29-2017 at 03:01 AM.
#168
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Perth Western Australia
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Hi
The article in the link shows the correct adjustment for headlights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
Regards
Norm
The article in the link shows the correct adjustment for headlights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
Regards
Norm
#169
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At the risk of jumping randomly between topics, I re-adjusted my headlight aim tonight... and did my first extended night drive, re-aiming a few times until I was happy... and now with clean lenses and properly rotated bulbs all I can say is... WOW!! THIS IS WHAT THE H4 HEADLIGHT WAS MEANT TO BE!!
[more commentary trimmed]...
[more commentary trimmed]...
Questions: Do folks aim L and R beams to converge at some point or leave them parallel? I used a straightedge between the lenses to aim them parallel, and they appear to be perfectly parallel. I like it this way but can see how beams set to converge could give better coverage at the convergence distance. Also just curious but is there a standard or other recommendation for vertical aim applicable to the H4s? Curious how the lights were "intended" to be aimed.
Hi
The article in the link shows the correct adjustment for headlights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
The article in the link shows the correct adjustment for headlights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
#170
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Got the caps yesterday. On my way home I stopped for a jug of MILK. Got home, put the milk in the fridge and looked at the exp. date : 9/28! Cool! Then I went out to the mailbox, and BOOM! There's the caps!
Haha! Porsche works in mysterious ways... (or is that the post office?)
Anyway, SHIPPED FAST - QUALITY PRODUCT - CLASS ACT !!!
Thanks Ed
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Stick Out Tongue](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Anyway, SHIPPED FAST - QUALITY PRODUCT - CLASS ACT !!!
Thanks Ed
![thumbup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/thumbup.gif)
#171
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Having just installed this kit. A dozen thumbs up from me. Thanks a bunch Ed.
#173
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#174
#175
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#176
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Wow, Ed!!
I just finished the install/assembly of your product. I am so impressed! It is very well thought out, with great machining and well integrated parts. It fits smoothly and function perfectly. Whenever I think I could make something for other people, I will remember how great this item is, and how it is truly a labor of love.
Thanks so much,
Dave
I just finished the install/assembly of your product. I am so impressed! It is very well thought out, with great machining and well integrated parts. It fits smoothly and function perfectly. Whenever I think I could make something for other people, I will remember how great this item is, and how it is truly a labor of love.
Thanks so much,
Dave
#177
#178
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None of them.
I've seen that type elsewhere (e.g., Amazon), too. I don't have one to inspect (measure, etc.). The barrel on the heatsink side of the 3-tab flange looks like it might be too short (and perhaps larger than 22 mm in diameter) to work with the caps I'm currently making. These bulbs also appear to be not as bright (but they do look well designed), so I'm not all that motivated to look into them further unless somebody already has them and is convinced they're better than (or as good as) the bulb I was recommending.
I've seen that type elsewhere (e.g., Amazon), too. I don't have one to inspect (measure, etc.). The barrel on the heatsink side of the 3-tab flange looks like it might be too short (and perhaps larger than 22 mm in diameter) to work with the caps I'm currently making. These bulbs also appear to be not as bright (but they do look well designed), so I'm not all that motivated to look into them further unless somebody already has them and is convinced they're better than (or as good as) the bulb I was recommending.
Given the pricing of the Lumileds(?) at around 70 bucks, I'll pick up some and use them in the 8" H4 Lenses, and allocate the ones I have to the 7" H4 Lenses
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Thanks Ed, and please put me down for two sets.
Dave
#179
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I measured the SuperBright H4 LED's (12 LED's per bulb) and the barrel diameter is only 18mm, and the distance to the Heatsink is 8mm from the headlight Lamp mount (3 tab flange).
Given the pricing of the Lumileds(?) at around 70 bucks, I'll pick up some and use them in the 8" H4 Lenses, and allocate the ones I have to the 7" H4 Lenses![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Thanks Ed, and please put me down for two sets.
Dave
Given the pricing of the Lumileds(?) at around 70 bucks, I'll pick up some and use them in the 8" H4 Lenses, and allocate the ones I have to the 7" H4 Lenses
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Thanks Ed, and please put me down for two sets.
Dave
I'll put those plans on the (way!) back burner.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#180
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Yes I read through this and agree w/ the amount of work/time you put into this Ed ![bowdown](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/bowdown.gif)
I just ordered the BroView's LumiLEDs![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I see, the H3's as the next target![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
I found these and at 700 LM each, they may be getting better and the pkj should fit the 928 Fog's
Thanks again!
Dave
![bowdown](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/bowdown.gif)
I just ordered the BroView's LumiLEDs
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I see, the H3's as the next target
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
I found these and at 700 LM each, they may be getting better and the pkj should fit the 928 Fog's
Thanks again!
Dave