Another LED solution, ...seen on TheSamba Options

[Red72]

Can you expand on the bulbs mentioned? I see the 4000 seems to have a pigtail and external electronic unit. These are often tough to locate for up and down light application, where as a straight H4 like shown on the 2800 can use a traditional "flat plug" with leads zip tied out of the way. If LEDs run cooler that HIDs etc, why all the need for heat sinks? Is it a by product of the power conversion etc?

Expand on the VC2800 units?

Yes, I was thinking the VC2800 would fit yall's headlight buckets much better, LEDs do run cooler than HID's buthigh power leds still generate heat which needs to be dissipated by the aluminum heat-sink.

So, a couple of things that may help answer me some questions...given that one of my sealed beam bulbs just gave out, giving me a good opportunity to upgrade. These seem far better priced than the TruckLite, Grote, etc. bulbs, so if they're worthwhile, I'm in!

- What is the distance from the back of the lens (ie the lip that would sit against the mounting point in the car?
- How do the fans work that you have listed against the VC2800 model? Do they mount externally from the headlight housing?

Thanks,
Stephen

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

Can you expand on the bulbs mentioned? I see the 4000 seems to have a pigtail and external electronic unit. These are often tough to locate for up and down light application, where as a straight H4 like shown on the 2800 can use a traditional "flat plug" with leads zip tied out of the way. If LEDs run cooler that HIDs etc, why all the need for heat sinks? Is it a by product of the power conversion etc?

Expand on the VC2800 units?

Yes, I was thinking the VC2800 would fit yall's headlight buckets much better, LEDs do run cooler than HID's buthigh power leds still generate heat which needs to be dissipated by the aluminum heat-sink.

So, a couple of things that may help answer me some questions...given that one of my sealed beam bulbs just gave out, giving me a good opportunity to upgrade. These seem far better priced than the TruckLite, Grote, etc. bulbs, so if they're worthwhile, I'm in!

- What is the distance from the back of the lens (ie the lip that would sit against the mounting point in the car?
- How do the fans work that you have listed against the VC2800 model? Do they mount externally from the headlight housing?

Thanks,
Stephen

Q1- 4 & 1/4" from the lip that sits at the mounting point to the end connectors for our VC2800 model.

(and 4 & 3/4" for our VC2500, and VC3000 Model) to the back of the external heat sink.

Q2- Fans on the VC2800 model are internal (inside the lens) and does a good job at cooling the LEDs. The VC2500 & VC3000 have external fans and heatsinks.

The VC4000 kit uses an external passive heatsink.

[eric9144]

I should be attempting install this week---Fathers day was followed by some "hell on earth heat" in SoCal so I haven't gotten to it. We hit 110* on Monday (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I'm still very optimistic they'll be plug and play.

[Kansas 914]

I'm still very optimistic they'll be plug and play.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

I should be attempting install this week---Fathers day was followed by some "hell on earth heat" in SoCal so I haven't gotten to it. We hit 110* on Monday (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I'm still very optimistic they'll be plug and play.

If you have any issues, call or text me anytime.

The most common issue we hear about is "these don't work"

100% of the time its due to their headlight plug not being wired as it was from factory, with the ground wire in the wrong location. -Since over the years people make "modifications"

[87m491]

One thing to note is that LEDs don't put out light at 180* where the Halogen and Xenon bulbs essentially do. Installed in a standard halogen housing you lose width on light coverage.

Pretty good video that shows it. Comparison

Hhhmmm, I don't notice any significant loss of width of the pattern between LED and the others in this video. Firstly you will note many newer LED bulbs place the LED's at all angles, basically to mirror the full corona of a traditional bulb, I assume to defeat the phenomena you mention. Secondly a well designed reflector along with a well designed lens should be able to overcome any losses of 180 degree illumination...

[Chris Pincetich]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
I installed GE nighthawks last Fall and they are awesome. I was overdriving the old H4s on fast windy roads to my house, so the LED is a huge safety improvement (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I'd avoid anything with too much external. The 914 mechanical headlight mechanism interferes with extra wires if they are not placed correctly. Mine bound up at first, then I had to route the extra plug wire in a way it would not tangle or bind when the headlights go up and down. I'd be afraid the external heat sink version may not work on a 914 while it probably works great on a VW beetle with fixed position headlights.

[mepstein]

One thing to note is that LEDs don't put out light at 180* where the Halogen and Xenon bulbs essentially do. Installed in a standard halogen housing you lose width on light coverage.

Pretty good video that shows it. Comparison

Hhhmmm, I don't notice any significant loss of width of the pattern between LED and the others in this video. Firstly you will note many newer LED bulbs place the LED's at all angles, basically to mirror the full corona of a traditional bulb, I assume to defeat the phenomena you mention. Secondly a well designed reflector along with a well designed lens should be able to overcome any losses of 180 degree illumination...

The nighthawks have plenty of light. So much more than stock it's not even worth talking about. Driving through the woods at night to my house they rock.

[eric9144]

Well I can answer one question--They DO fit. I didn't have my keys with me out in the garage last night so I could not test the actual function of them, if they require re-wiring its a deal breaker, I'm only interested in pure plug-n-play...still optimistic.

Pics of the fit:
LED light on left, OE on right


Ignore my original equipment dirt, I'll clean once I know it works. New light fitted, nice and 'flat'

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

if they require re-wiring its a deal breaker, I'm only interested in pure plug-n-play...still optimistic.

If your 914 is wired correctly as it left the factory, they will work just fine.

If someone has switched the ground wire location, they will need to be corrected back to factory wiring.

I cant stress this enough.

Back side of the female H4 plug.. (black would be BROWN) = Ground wire.

After you test them out at night, let me know how you like them.

Cheers- Thomas

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.easternbeaver.com-20065-1466881192.1.jpg)

[Red72]

[quote name='thomas@vintagecarleds.com' date='Jun 23 2016, 08:07 AM' post='2362988']
[quote name='Red72' post='2362734' date='Jun 22 2016, 07:21 PM']
[quote name='thomas@vintagecarleds.com' post='2354238' date='Jun 3 2016, 11:30 AM']


So, a couple of things that may help answer me some questions...given that one of my sealed beam bulbs just gave out, giving me a good opportunity to upgrade. These seem far better priced than the TruckLite, Grote, etc. bulbs, so if they're worthwhile, I'm in!

- What is the distance from the back of the lens (ie the lip that would sit against the mounting point in the car?
- How do the fans work that you have listed against the VC2800 model? Do they mount externally from the headlight housing?

Thanks,
Stephen
[/quote]

Q1- 4 & 1/4" from the lip that sits at the mounting point to the end connectors for our VC2800 model.

(and 4 & 3/4" for our VC2500, and VC3000 Model) to the back of the external heat sink.

Q2- Fans on the VC2800 model are internal (inside the lens) and does a good job at cooling the LEDs. The VC2500 & VC3000 have external fans and heatsinks.

The VC4000 kit uses an external passive heatsink.
[/quote]

Perfect! Your website doesn't appear to show an option for shipping to Canada. Is there some way we can work that?

Thanks,
Stephen

[eric9144]

Finally grabbed my keys and went back to the garage to test and... They are TOTALLY plug and play, only thing I may have to do is slightly adjust the beam height (down) but pretty good at install. Only had done the one to compare:

[cooper951]

Finally grabbed my keys and went back to the garage to test and... They are TOTALLY plug and play, only thing I may have to do is slightly adjust the beam height (down) but pretty good at install. Only had done the one to compare:

Are these the $159 lights?

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

Perfect! Your website doesn't appear to show an option for shipping to Canada. Is there some way we can work that?

Thanks,
Stephen

Our website shipping calculator doesn't work too well with Canada, If you want to shoot me an email, I can price it out for you.

thomas@vintagecarleds.com

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

Are these the $159 lights?

Yes, that's our VC2800 model.

[Kansas 914]

Does anyone have a "template" for aiming headlights on a 914?

Height of headlights and distance of the car from the wall would help. I know all of my cars are way off (either too high or too low - one of them might be a little cross-eyed)

I think this LED solution is very viable - thanks for the input from all.

[mepstein]

Does anyone have a "template" for aiming headlights on a 914?

Height of headlights and distance of the car from the wall would help. I know all of my cars are way off (either too high or too low - one of them might be a little cross-eyed)

I think this LED solution is very viable - thanks for the input from all.

When you say all your cars do you mean 914's or other cars? I'm thinking if you have other cars with good aim, you could park them, put painting tape on the ground and the wall and then you have your aiming template for your 914's.

[Kansas 914]

When you say all your cars do you mean 914's or other cars? I'm thinking if you have other cars with good aim, you could park them, put painting tape on the ground and the wall and then you have your aiming template for your 914's.

I meant my other 914s.

I suppose I could use one of my "regular" vehicles (Infiniti FX45 and Ford pickup) as a guide. Mark the wall where the headlights hit and lower those marks by the difference in height of the headlights on the 914.

[anderssj]

Does anyone have a "template" for aiming headlights on a 914?

Height of headlights and distance of the car from the wall would help. I know all of my cars are way off (either too high or too low - one of them might be a little cross-eyed)

I think this LED solution is very viable - thanks for the input from all.

Kind of long, but very complete:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

Thanks for this thread--looks like it may be time to replace my Cibie e-code H4s . . .

[thomas@vintagecarleds.com]

I suppose I could use one of my "regular" vehicles (Infiniti FX45 and Ford pickup) as a guide. Mark the wall where the headlights hit and lower those marks by the difference in height of the headlights on the 914.

A general rule of thumb is all headlights no matter if its a 914 or a H1 hummer (much higher up headlights) at a distance of 25 feet from a wall, they should be pointing at the same height.