LED Conversions?
- Thread starter Nuru
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I tried replacement LED bulbs in mine, short version...really poor. I then changed to halogen bulbs....much better.
tommu56
Elite Member
We have led headlights on our fork lifts at work they are bright.
I looked at them for 1/2 a second until I saw their price ~$200.00 a lamp
enough said
tom
I looked at them for 1/2 a second until I saw their price ~$200.00 a lamp
enough said
tom
Ouch that is quite high. I was looking for replacement for the work lights and the headlights.
Ductape
Elite Member
I did my head and tail lights........ very happy with them. My factory work lights are still incandescent though.
where did you get them?, please provide some details like Part #'s, and where you got them from.
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,902
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
I bought backup and tail light bulbs for our VWs and Benz here: www.autolumination.com Tail Light Brake Light Turn Signal LED Bulbs
For the Benz, the backup lighting was brighter. I put the same bulbs in the VW backup sockets, and they're not as bright. Depends on the type of reflector; I guess. Didn't analyze the differences. The LED bulb has the LEDs around the sides; so, if the reflector is mostly reflecting light from its top end, there may not be better light.
In brake light sockets, I experienced 2 problems: 1) radio interference, worse with red bulbs than with white; 2) cruise control ceased to work on the Benz; worked after putting regular bulbs back in; cruise stopped working on the VW and didn't come back with regular bulbs back in place. Of course, you won't experience these problems on a tractor unless you use a radio on it. Cruise on a tractor is a pretty simple device: doesn't depend on the brake light working because there is no brake light.
Think some people on the VW TDI forum have put LEDs in for their head lights. Don't know the details.
Ralph
For the Benz, the backup lighting was brighter. I put the same bulbs in the VW backup sockets, and they're not as bright. Depends on the type of reflector; I guess. Didn't analyze the differences. The LED bulb has the LEDs around the sides; so, if the reflector is mostly reflecting light from its top end, there may not be better light.
In brake light sockets, I experienced 2 problems: 1) radio interference, worse with red bulbs than with white; 2) cruise control ceased to work on the Benz; worked after putting regular bulbs back in; cruise stopped working on the VW and didn't come back with regular bulbs back in place. Of course, you won't experience these problems on a tractor unless you use a radio on it. Cruise on a tractor is a pretty simple device: doesn't depend on the brake light working because there is no brake light.
Think some people on the VW TDI forum have put LEDs in for their head lights. Don't know the details.
Ralph
Thanks Ralph!
I bought a pair of the square, 9" LED worklamps from autolumination for mounting on my ROPS. Couldn't have been more expensive, at $75.00 each. Couldn't be more disappointed in the quality of the lamps or the light they emit. After soldering everything up, shrink-wrapping, etc. and installing (even with a Hella relay), they don't illuminate 5' in front of them. Worse still, one of the units had 1/2 of the LEDs blown out upon arrival (I should have checked, but went and installed one successfully and mounted the second one permanently, only to find that one was blown).
I was very unimpressed with autoillumination's customer service as well. I emailed them about the blown LEDs - and got a response, "we've never had any complaint and doubt you've installed them correctly." Well... I only installed automobile lighting professionally for 4 years. They made me pay for a new one as well as shipping. Got the replacement from them and while they did credit me for the $75, they still didn't pay for shipping.
Not 2 months later, the first lamp I installed blew out 1/2 of the LEDS.
I will say, when you handle the lamps themselves, they seem to be of very high quality - nice casings and stainless hardware. But, if you're looking to illuminate in front of your tractor, you're better off duct-taping a pair of flashlights. Cheaper, too!
I was very unimpressed with autoillumination's customer service as well. I emailed them about the blown LEDs - and got a response, "we've never had any complaint and doubt you've installed them correctly." Well... I only installed automobile lighting professionally for 4 years. They made me pay for a new one as well as shipping. Got the replacement from them and while they did credit me for the $75, they still didn't pay for shipping.
Not 2 months later, the first lamp I installed blew out 1/2 of the LEDS.
I will say, when you handle the lamps themselves, they seem to be of very high quality - nice casings and stainless hardware. But, if you're looking to illuminate in front of your tractor, you're better off duct-taping a pair of flashlights. Cheaper, too!
ejb17
Bronze Member
Trucklite and Grote make LED work lamps that work real well. They are not cheap but should outlast the tractor. They also draw little to very little amperage. We have them on our work trucks and I have them on my 4520.
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,902
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
Some of us like experimenting with stuff that's a little bit more "green".
The payout for LED bulbs isn't there. Some may provide more light. Plus for that: more light with A LOT less juice.
Ralph
The payout for LED bulbs isn't there. Some may provide more light. Plus for that: more light with A LOT less juice.
Ralph
wetstuff
Silver Member
K7 - Some of us are compulsive. If there's a 5% chance something will seem better; we have to take it. Like Ralph said, these LEDs use almost no juice at all. Typical lamps waste most of the energy creating heat. (I have four Roo lamps from Australia - they may be why it is so hot there..)
This aircraft lamp could run on a wire about the size of two hairs and is 2.5X as brite as halogen at only 1.35amps. Is it worth $200 - probably not. ..but there are no ATMs or PX where I'm bound to end up.
Jim
This aircraft lamp could run on a wire about the size of two hairs and is 2.5X as brite as halogen at only 1.35amps. Is it worth $200 - probably not. ..but there are no ATMs or PX where I'm bound to end up.
Jim
BethesdaEC
Gold Member
I have lived my life by saying if I need to have X fixed and a contractor is going to change me Y to fix it, but if I buy tool Z for less than or equal to Y, then I have a new tool, a new experience and a lot of satisfaction. The current pinnacle of this whole thought process is a $26K tractor vs. my impenetrable woods. That being said, I will always jump on the opportunity to play with the latest gadget or gizmo even if the cost/benefit doesn't necessarily make complete sense.
There are some real world issue to deal with too. Many SCUT/CUT have 20 amp alternators that can barely run the factory headlights let alone the additional lights. Lets say that you have two 50 watt factory headlights, that is 8.3 amps right there, now add 200 watts of halogen to the ROPS, that is another 16.6 amps, then throw is some running lights etc. and you are now pushing 30 amps of draw on a 20 amp alternator. LED lights let you have your cake and eat it too.
I definitely want to add some lights to my ROPS this year and I am considering LED just so I can have the experience, but I may also do halogen since I have a 40 amp alternator.
K7 - Some of us are compulsive. If there's a 5% chance something will seem better; we have to take it. Like Ralph said, these LEDs use almost no juice at all. Typical lamps waste most of the energy creating heat. (I have four Roo lamps from Australia - they may be why it is so hot there..)
This aircraft lamp could run on a wire about the size of two hairs and is 2.5X as brite as halogen at only 1.35amps. Is it worth $200 - probably not. ..but there are no ATMs or PX where I'm bound to end up.
Jim
Is that light mounted on a bucket?
I to like to try stuff and I have tried multiple LED's and I have been disappointed each time. The lamp in your picture, how good is it? Where do you get them?:licking:
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
Good led lighting is expensive but is most useful where you have limited electrical charging capacity. Here are some good lights that are weatherproof and well made. Check out the spreader lights for the best fit.
www,coastalnightlights.com
www,coastalnightlights.com
RaisedonDeere
Silver Member
What do you guys think of these LED lights? They only draw 1 amp. As bright as they are you would only need 1. They come in white or black. A bit pricey but if your plowing at night it would be like daytime..
LED Spreader Light for Boats - 720 lumens - 1 amp draw - Surface or Rail Mount - 9-42V - 90'L X 70'W - www.MagnaLight.com Spotlights and Flashlights
LED Spreader Light for Boats - 720 lumens - 1 amp draw - Surface or Rail Mount - 9-42V - 90'L X 70'W - www.MagnaLight.com Spotlights and Flashlights
These look like they are pretty bright. Since I have a cab, I am looking for something closer to factory in fit and feeel. But if I had a OS, these might be a good choice.
LED's for taillamp, marker lamp, maplight, courtesy lighting works well. I have replaced the LP lamps, front marker lamps, and cargo lamps with LED's with great success. On my VW, I had to use resistor type LED's due the to computer sensing the reduced wattage load and shutting down power to the circuit. It's a bulb out indicator that is supposed to notify you when the bulb draws too much or too little current. Kind of defeats the purpose of lower power consumption since the wired in resistor uses the same wattage as the original incandescent. But, I enjoy the color of the light and the increased brightness along with extended bulb life.
For applications such as work lamps or headlamps, there are not as many options for LED's and the quality units will be quite pricey. I replaced the fog lamps on my touareg with HID lamps which are alot brighter than the factory h7 incandescent bulbs and use lower power for a decent price. You can find HID kits for just about every bulb size which would provide more might with less consumption for a good price. I am happy with the headlamps on my 2320, however, some HID worklamps would be nice. I don't use my unit much at night so I haven't added any additional lighting.
The factory h7 incan bulb for my t-reg was rated at 55 watts where as the HID bulbs are 35 watts and easily provide 75% more light, if not more.
I just checked the bulbs on my 2320 which indicated they are 50w rated for a total of 100w running headlamps, not including dash cluster and ROPS taillamps. Replacing the bulbs with HiD kit would reduce consumption to 70w allowing an extra 30w for one additional HID worklamp while still drawing the same power as factory headlamps only. Also, ive noticed HID's run cooler than Incan, eliminating any concerns of melting headlamp housing.
On my VW, the low beam headlamps are HID with the high beam being Incan, when we have an ice storm a couple months backs, I noticed ice build up in front of HID low beam bulb but the heat from the temporary use of high beam Incan melted the ice.
So, for the best value, HID is the way to go in my opinion, at least with the current technology and pricing.
For applications such as work lamps or headlamps, there are not as many options for LED's and the quality units will be quite pricey. I replaced the fog lamps on my touareg with HID lamps which are alot brighter than the factory h7 incandescent bulbs and use lower power for a decent price. You can find HID kits for just about every bulb size which would provide more might with less consumption for a good price. I am happy with the headlamps on my 2320, however, some HID worklamps would be nice. I don't use my unit much at night so I haven't added any additional lighting.
The factory h7 incan bulb for my t-reg was rated at 55 watts where as the HID bulbs are 35 watts and easily provide 75% more light, if not more.
I just checked the bulbs on my 2320 which indicated they are 50w rated for a total of 100w running headlamps, not including dash cluster and ROPS taillamps. Replacing the bulbs with HiD kit would reduce consumption to 70w allowing an extra 30w for one additional HID worklamp while still drawing the same power as factory headlamps only. Also, ive noticed HID's run cooler than Incan, eliminating any concerns of melting headlamp housing.
On my VW, the low beam headlamps are HID with the high beam being Incan, when we have an ice storm a couple months backs, I noticed ice build up in front of HID low beam bulb but the heat from the temporary use of high beam Incan melted the ice.
So, for the best value, HID is the way to go in my opinion, at least with the current technology and pricing.