H4 headlamps with LED bulbs
- Thread starter Bianchi Brink
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@RedUn hold your horses as despite telling you not to order some of those £63 H4 LEDs that's exactly what I've done last night.
I'm putting the £19.99 ones in our other H4 car to make that less yellow so I'll report back with pictures from the same location when they turn up and get fitted... talk about suspense but it might save you £63!
I'm putting the £19.99 ones in our other H4 car to make that less yellow so I'll report back with pictures from the same location when they turn up and get fitted... talk about suspense but it might save you £63!
Awesome! I'll keep my eyes on this thread then! If they are good I'm doing it!!
With the LED type bulbs I’m interested in how close they are to the cover / hatch on the back of the headlight unit.
Photo would be greatly appreciated albeit not much room to change the bulb let alone get a phone in there as well!
Ian
Photo would be greatly appreciated albeit not much room to change the bulb let alone get a phone in there as well!
Ian
No photo but the Evitek ones I have fit inside and allow the cover to be refitted, I used some sticky velcro pads to mount the ballast box inside the headlight shell.
In the Seven, they fit behind the headlight bowl inside the chrome shell, same method of restraint.
In the Seven, they fit behind the headlight bowl inside the chrome shell, same method of restraint.
I have taken a picture but typing this on my tablet so picture to follow probably tomorrow when I try and fit these latest monsters which have an even larger fan on the back.
I've got Valeo H4 headlights and the lamp access caps already have a squarish raised section to provide elbow room at the back of the lamp where the plug attaches, I drilled this out with a 38mm hole saw and grafted on the black pvc caps from two aerosol paint cans... looking at this latest lamp and two thoughts, one, I should have drilled a slightly larger hole 42mm ish and two, I should have left a bit more depth to these add on caps to accommodate these "ludicrous mode" fans.
It's worth bearing in mind when worrying about butchering the access caps to the headlights that butchered with care they still function properly and also that these are the headlights that you can't even give away so out with the Dremel and black pu glue!
@Paynewright this is what the £19.99 set up looks like as the headlight access caps had to be "eased" somewhat.
Yes, I like the one on the left too and below showing how much the fan motor sticks out from the housing bearing in mind the actual 3 pin plug that normally sticks out of the back of the halogen is now tucked into the back of the headlight enclosure behind the reflector on a flying lead and yes do check to make sure your reflectors can still motor up and down from the dash roller switch.
That's the left side in front of the battery tray and below with the modded cap back in place.
Yes, I like the one on the left too and below showing how much the fan motor sticks out from the housing bearing in mind the actual 3 pin plug that normally sticks out of the back of the halogen is now tucked into the back of the headlight enclosure behind the reflector on a flying lead and yes do check to make sure your reflectors can still motor up and down from the dash roller switch.
That's the left side in front of the battery tray and below with the modded cap back in place.
@RedUn keep that £63 where it belongs as what a ballache these not so super LEDs have proved to be... basically a good chunk of the day wasted as well as £63.
What's wrong with the Novsight H4 lamp?... well the fan is a big old lump so more butchery to the access caps, then you have the problem that these things have a driver about the same size as an HID lamp driver/matchbox... that's not goping to tuck into the back of the headlight shell so now you've got to have an exit through the access cap for the flex from the lamp and the flex to the driver both of which are about 40mm long as supplied so will need extending and some then sort of stuffing gland to waterproof the exit from the butchered access cap to these external components.
There's more, the pattern from the headlight was quite distinct with a reasonable hot spot and horizontal lines either side so promising for daylight however while the Canbus wasn't tripped by low or high beam it did latch on the dash display if you tried flashing the main beam and then stayed on until the ignition was reset, now the best bit and something I would reccommend trying before pretty well any further thud and blunder and that's starting the engine then turning on the lights, engine off I couldn't wait to see what these monsters were going to look like later in the dark, start the engine though and the bloddy things flicker like a poorly regulated Chinese moped headlight, utter shite.
I'm not sure if the problem is to do with VWs smart charging system but I'll take a lamp out warning from a pair of £19.99 LED lamps over £63 strobe lights any day, did I mention I'm a bit underwhelmed, going to try them in the Daihatsu as that's got a more conventional old school electrical system, if it's the same nonsense I'll try and get my money back and obviously keep singing their praises.
What's wrong with the Novsight H4 lamp?... well the fan is a big old lump so more butchery to the access caps, then you have the problem that these things have a driver about the same size as an HID lamp driver/matchbox... that's not goping to tuck into the back of the headlight shell so now you've got to have an exit through the access cap for the flex from the lamp and the flex to the driver both of which are about 40mm long as supplied
so will need extending and some then sort of stuffing gland to waterproof the exit from the butchered access cap to these external components. There's more, the pattern from the headlight was quite distinct with a reasonable hot spot and horizontal lines either side so promising for daylight however while the Canbus wasn't tripped by low or high beam it did latch on the dash display if you tried flashing the main beam and then stayed on until the ignition was reset, now the best bit and something I would reccommend trying before pretty well any further thud and blunder and that's starting the engine then turning on the lights, engine off I couldn't wait to see what these monsters were going to look like later in the dark, start the engine though and the bloddy things flicker like a poorly regulated Chinese moped headlight, utter shite.
I'm not sure if the problem is to do with VWs smart charging system but I'll take a lamp out warning from a pair of £19.99 LED lamps over £63 strobe lights any day, did I mention I'm a bit underwhelmed, going to try them in the Daihatsu as that's got a more conventional old school electrical system, if it's the same nonsense I'll try and get my money back and obviously keep singing their praises.
Thanks for the huge technical response! I must admit that's pretty disappointing!!@RedUn keep that £63 where it belongs as what a ballache these not so super LEDs have proved to be... basically a good chunk of the day wasted as well as £63.
What's wrong with the Novsight H4 lamp?... well the fan is a big old lump so more butchery to the access caps, then you have the problem that these things have a driver about the same size as an HID lamp driver/matchbox... that's not goping to tuck into the back of the headlight shell so now you've got to have an exit through the access cap for the flex from the lamp and the flex to the driver both of which are about 40mm long as supplied
There's more, the pattern from the headlight was quite distinct with a reasonable hot spot and horizontal lines either side so promising for daylight however while the Canbus wasn't tripped by low or high beam it did latch on the dash display if you tried flashing the main beam and then stayed on until the ignition was reset, now the best bit and something I would reccommend trying before pretty well any further thud and blunder and that's starting the engine then turning on the lights, engine off I couldn't wait to see what these monsters were going to look like later in the dark, start the engine though and the bloddy things flicker like a poorly regulated Chinese moped headlight, utter shite.
I'm not sure if the problem is to do with VWs smart charging system but I'll take a lamp out warning from a pair of £19.99 LED lamps over £63 strobe lights any day, did I mention I'm a bit underwhelmed, going to try them in the Daihatsu as that's got a more conventional old school electrical system, if it's the same nonsense I'll try and get my money back and obviously keep singing their praises.
I'm just wondering if it's worth starting a new thread purely on led bulb reviews with a picture of the dipped beam, main beam etc?
I'm happy to try some others out and see if they are any good...sure others on here will have input too?
@RedUn the problem is that we don't have a benchmark to rate one lamp against another as most photos taken of the LED lamps are quite flattering simply because what light is produced is in the daylight portion of the spectrum rather than the softer yellowy Halogen part.
Forum comments on the performance of the LED lamps can be a bit anecdotal too with one guy perfectly happy with his 20 watt LED and this 60 yr old hoping for a bit more light output from an higher wattage LED lamp.
The problem with buying LED lamps until you find a decent one is that there are so many different makes out there all claiming to be the best and claiming ludicrous lumen output/won't upset Canbus/won't wipe out your DAB signal/won't strobe etc!
I'm a bit gutted but definitely getting quicker at changing headlight lamps!
Forum comments on the performance of the LED lamps can be a bit anecdotal too with one guy perfectly happy with his 20 watt LED and this 60 yr old hoping for a bit more light output from an higher wattage LED lamp.
The problem with buying LED lamps until you find a decent one is that there are so many different makes out there all claiming to be the best and claiming ludicrous lumen output/won't upset Canbus/won't wipe out your DAB signal/won't strobe etc!
I'm a bit gutted but definitely getting quicker at changing headlight lamps!
Your only up the road from me, I'm more than happy to pop up then we can do some comparisons?@RedUn the problem is that we don't have a benchmark to rate one lamp against another as most photos taken of the LED lamps are quite flattering simply because what light is produced is in the daylight portion of the spectrum rather than the softer yellowy Halogen part.
Forum comments on the performance of the LED lamps can be a bit anecdotal too with one guy perfectly happy with his 20 watt LED and this 60 yr old hoping for a bit more light output from an higher wattage LED lamp.
The problem with buying LED lamps until you find a decent one is that there are so many different makes out there all claiming to be the best and claiming ludicrous lumen output/won't upset Canbus/won't wipe out your DAB signal/won't strobe etc!
I'm a bit gutted but definitely getting quicker at changing headlight lamps!
I've got my dad's shuttle to hand tomorrow so I'll do an oem h4 vs h7 picture if anyone's interested...
What we really need is a van with factory LED headlights just to see if they deliver this mythical white searchlight we're trying to achieve.
Just spotted you're from Beds @RedUn I think @Sabre is down your way, I've still not met anyone apart from @BiTurbo from the forum and he was on his mates stand at Busfest, either way if there was a nocturnal meet to compare headlights I can't help thinking all the local.meeting areas were already taken!
Back on topic and a comparison between H4 and H7 with I'm guessing stock Halogen lamps and just the dip beams on would be great as a benchmark if you get a chance, cheers.
Just spotted you're from Beds @RedUn I think @Sabre is down your way, I've still not met anyone apart from @BiTurbo from the forum and he was on his mates stand at Busfest, either way if there was a nocturnal meet to compare headlights I can't help thinking all the local.meeting areas were already taken!
Back on topic and a comparison between H4 and H7 with I'm guessing stock Halogen lamps and just the dip beams on would be great as a benchmark if you get a chance, cheers.
I shouldn't keep replying to my own posts but a bit of a follow up on my £63 LED Novsight lamps now that I've put them in our Daihatsu... incredible!
If only they were doing the same thing in our camper, hand on heart they're like Hid lamps.
The Daihatsu is on a 58 plate so I'm guessing a more basic or no version of canbus, either way no lamp out warning and better no flickering LEDs, I've taken a few piccies at the same spot and the headlights are a large single reflector with the complete housing pretty well the same size as the T6s.
Anyway, dipped beam...
Followed by main beam...
Same again further up the road, dipped...
Main beam...
These lamps are producing enough Lumens at a good colour, the Japanese Daihatsu headlight might well be a better design than VWs H4 offerring but they're pretty well the same size. At this point I'm now looking for a 50 watt lamp, which is what these Novsights claim to be but one that's VW smart charging proof, I'm guessing that's the issue, DAB interference and impossible to locate driver boxes can be worked around if the lamp doesn't flicker, this is an H4 lamp, just one per side.
If only they were doing the same thing in our camper, hand on heart they're like Hid lamps.
The Daihatsu is on a 58 plate so I'm guessing a more basic or no version of canbus, either way no lamp out warning and better no flickering LEDs, I've taken a few piccies at the same spot and the headlights are a large single reflector with the complete housing pretty well the same size as the T6s.
Anyway, dipped beam...
Followed by main beam...
Same again further up the road, dipped...
Main beam...
These lamps are producing enough Lumens at a good colour, the Japanese Daihatsu headlight might well be a better design than VWs H4 offerring but they're pretty well the same size. At this point I'm now looking for a 50 watt lamp, which is what these Novsights claim to be but one that's VW smart charging proof, I'm guessing that's the issue, DAB interference and impossible to locate driver boxes can be worked around if the lamp doesn't flicker, this is an H4 lamp, just one per side.
I'm glad they worked out in the other car! They do look bloody good!! So the plan is to find something like that for the crappy T6 H4s!I shouldn't keep replying to my own posts but a bit of a follow up on my £63 LED Novsight lamps now that I've put them in our Daihatsu... incredible!
If only they were doing the same thing in our camper, hand on heart they're like Hid lamps.
The Daihatsu is on a 58 plate so I'm guessing a more basic or no version of canbus, either way no lamp out warning and better no flickering LEDs, I've taken a few piccies at the same spot and the headlights are a large single reflector with the complete housing pretty well the same size as the T6s.
Anyway, dipped beam...
View attachment 54647
Followed by main beam...
View attachment 54649
Same again further up the road, dipped...
View attachment 54650
Main beam...
View attachment 54651
These lamps are producing enough Lumens at a good colour, the Japanese Daihatsu headlight might well be a better design than VWs H4 offerring but they're pretty well the same size. At this point I'm now looking for a 50 watt lamp, which is what these Novsights claim to be but one that's VW smart charging proof, I'm guessing that's the issue, DAB interference and impossible to locate driver boxes can be worked around if the lamp doesn't flicker, this is an H4 lamp, just one per side.
Top photo in each set is the H4
Done a load of reading tonight and you can buy canbus decoders to stop the flickering with led bulbs... Might be the answer!@RedUn keep that £63 where it belongs as what a ballache these not so super LEDs have proved to be... basically a good chunk of the day wasted as well as £63.
What's wrong with the Novsight H4 lamp?... well the fan is a big old lump so more butchery to the access caps, then you have the problem that these things have a driver about the same size as an HID lamp driver/matchbox... that's not goping to tuck into the back of the headlight shell so now you've got to have an exit through the access cap for the flex from the lamp and the flex to the driver both of which are about 40mm long as supplied
There's more, the pattern from the headlight was quite distinct with a reasonable hot spot and horizontal lines either side so promising for daylight however while the Canbus wasn't tripped by low or high beam it did latch on the dash display if you tried flashing the main beam and then stayed on until the ignition was reset, now the best bit and something I would reccommend trying before pretty well any further thud and blunder and that's starting the engine then turning on the lights, engine off I couldn't wait to see what these monsters were going to look like later in the dark, start the engine though and the bloddy things flicker like a poorly regulated Chinese moped headlight, utter shite.
I'm not sure if the problem is to do with VWs smart charging system but I'll take a lamp out warning from a pair of £19.99 LED lamps over £63 strobe lights any day, did I mention I'm a bit underwhelmed, going to try them in the Daihatsu as that's got a more conventional old school electrical system, if it's the same nonsense I'll try and get my money back and obviously keep singing their praises.
Currently reading up on the new osram h4 leds
I'm going to hazard a guess that the top left is the H4 on dip, the top right is the H4 on main beam followed by bottom left being his Dads Shuttle H7 on dip and bottom right the Shuttle H7 on main beam, I'll try a further guess that the Shuttle isn't coded to run dip and main beam at the same time which looks like the only way it would convincingly beat the H4?
Not sure what will come of it as I've butchered the rubber seals on the back of the Daihatsu to take the Novsight mutha funsters so they're staying there but the wife has sent a request to Novsight, which has been acknowledged, for one of their "we cure any flicker.com" inline magic boxes so if that turns up I'll give one of these bad boys another try on the T6 and if it's flicker free next go around then I'll order a second pair rinse and repeat the whole process to get the T6 to hopefully perform like the Daihatsu did in the earlier pictures.
Jeez, must type faster
Not sure what will come of it as I've butchered the rubber seals on the back of the Daihatsu to take the Novsight mutha funsters so they're staying there but the wife has sent a request to Novsight, which has been acknowledged, for one of their "we cure any flicker.com" inline magic boxes so if that turns up I'll give one of these bad boys another try on the T6 and if it's flicker free next go around then I'll order a second pair rinse and repeat the whole process to get the T6 to hopefully perform like the Daihatsu did in the earlier pictures.
Jeez, must type faster
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