LED headlight upgrade

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by G8nightman

Yes I did the same with mine fits like a glove

George, now we know why that space is there....they knew we were going to add different headlights with a resistor that needed space some 22 to 27 years later....and sometimes we all question why the engineers did what they did!!!

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Again just curious, if it isn't such an issue with the resistor, then why bother with the relay? Is it that much of a load difference??? The resistor is a breeze to install, compared to adding another relay and cutting or connecting into a wire harness which would take more time....

Preference I guess? I look at it this way. If I am moving from H4 to LED, I will get a more light with less power consumption, but adding a resistor put heat in a different spot and one more connection in the bucket.

I have not completely looked at the relay, but I think I can pop the connector out and not have to cut a wire.

By doing the relay, the alternator load with all the lights is less. to me that is being more efficient, plus the added wiring is in the car out of the weather.

so I guess it is My preference then

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Preference I guess? I look at it this way. If I am moving from H4 to LED, I will get a more light with less power consumption, but adding a resistor put heat in a different spot and one more connection in the bucket.

I have not completely looked at the relay, but I think I can pop the connector out and not have to cut a wire.

By doing the relay, the alternator load with all the lights is less. to me that is being more efficient, plus the added wiring is in the car out of the weather.

so I guess it is My preference then

I think I understand what your reasoning is.....but when the lights are not on, then the resistor is not producing heat, correct? and if you attach the resistor in the top of the bucket as shown, then when the headlights are on and in the up position, then you should be getting air movement through the opening of the cover, thus keeping the resistor cool.
But if your charging system is operating at its optimum performance, then it shouldn't matter, should it???
I would be interested in knowing what the actual difference in power consumption (alternator load) is when comparing the resistor to the relay.
I am not trying to break them for you, just find this topic to be an interesting discussion and another learning experience.....

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Preference I guess? I look at it this way. If I am moving from H4 to LED, I will get a more light with less power consumption, but adding a resistor put heat in a different spot and one more connection in the bucket.

I have not completely looked at the relay, but I think I can pop the connector out and not have to cut a wire.

By doing the relay, the alternator load with all the lights is less. to me that is being more efficient, plus the added wiring is in the car out of the weather.

so I guess it is My preference then

Sometimes we get into a "debate" discussion on something just for the heck of it, or to learn something. You are replacing 2 headlamps w a heavier load on the system than w 2 headlamps generating not enough load. The resistor appears to represent just enough of a load necessary to allow everything to operate properly. IOW, you have now installed a system with a load that is still LESS than the OEM system the car came w. Overall, win-win.
Thoughts?

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

IOW, you have now installed a system with a load that is still LESS than the OEM system the car came w. Overall, win-win.
Thoughts?

But is it?

What is the resistance of the headlight you are replacing? was is the laod resistance of the resistor.

Yes Debates are good, there is nothing wrong with using a resistor.. works like roadster described.. I just like thinking out of the box sometimes

[XfireZ51]

Jeff,

Of course my questioning really is for the purpose of learning something and when it comes to electronics you are a go to guy.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Jeff,



Of course my questioning really is for the purpose of learning something and when it comes to electronics you are a go to guy.

[emoji1303]



Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[ghlkal]

Now that a number of you guys have run with these for a while, I have a question - how's the light distribution pattern on the LEDs? I'm sure it's good and brighter light straight ahead, but do these put off enough light to the side also? I read a review of a different pair of LED headlights where there were lots of complaints regarding not enough illumination to the side of the road.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by ghlkal

Now that a number of you guys have run with these for a while, I have a question - how's the light distribution pattern on the LEDs? I'm sure it's good and brighter light straight ahead, but do these put off enough light to the side also? I read a review of a different pair of LED headlights where there were lots of complaints regarding not enough illumination to the side of the road.

I can't give you an update, as I have not been doing any night driving with the Z lately. But I am sure the other users will be able to answer that for you...

[Locobob]

I recently converted to LED, been driving with them for a week or two now and pretty happy with the upgrade. They were plug and play except that I snipped and grounded the lt grn wire from the fog lamp relay - easy job and as a bonus the fogs stay on with the brights now. Here are some pics.








LED on left, low beams