Flood ONLY LEDs?

   / Flood ONLY LEDs? #21  
   / Flood ONLY LEDs? #22  
We work at night all the time via utv and atv. We find stock headlamps to be fairly worthless so we add LEDs lights to them. These are mounted higher than the head lamps and aren't very costly either. Nonetheless these 2 LEDs are so much brighter, they'll wash out whatever the headlamps put out. I'll attach a photo of them in action.

Here are the inexpensive lights we run.

Amazon.com: Bear Claw TM BC-27w-CW White Bear Claw Round Work Spot Pencil Beam Lamp: Automotive
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4087.jpg
    IMG_4087.jpg
    771.4 KB · Views: 180
   / Flood ONLY LEDs? #23  
Well, to say I'm disappointed would be an understatement.

I put on a single 36W LED on the back to compare against the stock lights and tried then out tonight.

Not only was the output about the same as the stock light... but turning the lights on completely obliterated the radio signal. I've since read about some LED lights creating massive interference with radios. It is associated with the AC to DC conversion requirements associated with unshielded components. Apparently many less expensive or less well made, LEDs have unshielded components which cause this problem.

LED lamps interfering with radio transmissions – LeapFrogLighting

I'm sending these Nilight floods and 39 inch bar back. I've read that Cree bulbs don't have the same issues, so I'm going to give it a try. But, I'm VERY disappointed in the light output. I'd expected much more than my standard lights, but I think they are equal in output at best. Perhaps they are just cheap in all ways, but I'd espected more. I'd recommend staying away from Nilight brand as they don't step up to what I would expect given the stock halogens I have in comparison.
If you haven't sent them yet, or run into interference problems with the ones you like, solder a small disc capacitor across the DC leads as close as possible to the LED units. I think .001mf would work in the situation, you won't need high voltage rating, 25vdc should suffice. Ferrite on the leads could also work, if soldering is not your thing.. most new electronic/electric gear is poorly designed from a RFI point of view. That's why I said 'gear' not 'goods', an extra cent in the manufacture they might not have any problems..
 
   / Flood ONLY LEDs?
  • Thread Starter
#24  
But HOW did you compare? Did you measure the output with a meter or just "eyeball it"?

If you have a smartphone, install an app and get some numbers.

To me, numbers in this instance don't mean anything. It's 10pm and I just came in. There was a definite advantage to the OEM light side. The flood LED just didn't give me the visibility to its side.

I suspect it is just a 'cheap' light. Given the RFI issues with the radio, I'm hoping that when I choose a different and hopefully better light, that these things will improve. I also found for certain, that I need lights directed at each side of the tractor. I couldn't see a thing unless it was behind or in front.

I wrote an email to Auxbeam and Rigid giving them my parameters and issues. I haven't seen a reply yet, but hope they can get me better lights than these.

What other reputable LED companies are out there? Something worth the cost... not just costly.
 
   / Flood ONLY LEDs?
  • Thread Starter
#25  
Did you have a good ground connection?

You can put a ferrite choke on the positive wire to block the interference.

car radio interference from led lights

That is the direction I would go if I was happy with the light output/visibility improvement. But since I'm not happy with it, I'm going to see what happens with 'hopefully better' LEDS.

If the light output was worth the time it took to change them, I'd add the ferrite chokes. But, with these specific lights, I'm not happy with them compared to what I have, at all.
 
   / Flood ONLY LEDs? #26  
I have 6 of these : Amazon.com: STANSEN 4pcs 27W Square Waterproof LED Working Light 9LED SUV Off Road Work Light Boat Headlight Flood Driving Fog: Automotive
2 on my jeep, 2 on my 15 Ram for back up lights while plowing, and two on my Deutz for plowing. I get no radio interference whatsoever.
I run the ones on the Jeep and they over power the halogen headlights. The two on the truck light up the back like daylight, the two on the tractor are awesome as well. I'm going to order some more for the front of the truck.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2016 Ford Explorer 4WD SUV (A48082)
2016 Ford Explorer...
IF YOU BID ON AN ITEM YOU MUST PAY FOR IT!! NO BACKING OUT AFTER IT IS SOLD!! (A50774)
IF YOU BID ON AN...
UNUSED Grey Corrugated Polycarbonate Roof Panels (A50860)
UNUSED Grey...
2013 Kia Optima SXL Sedan (A48082)
2013 Kia Optima...
2004 Freightliner M2 106 American Lafrance Medic Master Ambulance (A48081)
2004 Freightliner...
2001 Ram 1500 Ext. Cab Pickup Truck (A48081)
2001 Ram 1500 Ext...
 
Top