Author Topic: Nuclear LED driving lights on sale... (Read 21903 times)

C1xRider · « **on:** August 11, 2012, 01:58:11 PM »

Received an email that the super bright LED driving lights I'm using are on sale, $162 for a pair. Might have to get me another set.

See them here : http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/cPath/23_45/products_id/170
And here : http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/cPath/23_45/products_id/94

They draw about 2.25 amps each (about 25 watts), and come in black or silver. The site is a little confusing because they list both the CREE XML T6, and the CREE XML U2, but both pages say XML U2 in the detailed description. I looked at the data sheet for both LED's, and it looks like the U2's are a little brighter for less current. Also, the color temp of the ones I have (supposed to be the U2s) are very white (not blue).

These things make driving at night a pleasure (until you have to turn them off for oncoming traffic). I have them wired directly to my high beams right now, but still have a side project to revamp a PWM controller to run them on the low beams, and use a relay for highs (when I get some free time, with energy).

They are so bright, the reflections from road signs are almost blinding. When I switch back to low beams, it takes a moment before I can see that my low beam headlights are really working after turning them off. They throw the light pretty far down the road, while still lighting up the shoulders of the road really well too. I'm very happy with them.

They also have some lower output versions on sale too : http://24x7diy.com/index.php/cPath/23_45, but why would anyone want less?

Just an F.Y.I. for those that may be interested.

Cuda · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2012, 03:10:59 PM »

Yeah some of the new lights are BRIGHT
Last week I was making a lefthand turn in front of two bikes stopped at a light ,
I about got blinded

martin_14 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2012, 04:06:18 PM »

So... anybody driving with these on during the day?

B.D.F. · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:04:08 PM »

Only those running car tires and using synthetic oil.... you know, outlaws.

Brian

Quote from: martin_14 on August 11, 2012, 04:06:18 PM

So... anybody driving with these on during the day?

C1xRider · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:30:56 PM »

Quote from: martin_14 on August 11, 2012, 04:06:18 PM

So... anybody driving with these on during the day?

The first day I rode to work with them, I didn't realize I had accidentally connected them to the wrong wire (was in a hurry, installed them that morning). Absolutely everyone got out of my way on the interstate before I got too close to them. Didn't know why, but thought it was great, since I was running late. That evening when I left work I realized they were on with the low beams, off with the high beams.

So yes, but only for one day.

Armyguns · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2012, 07:20:39 PM »

I've had the earlier (2000 lumen) version of these for about 2 years now. About the only way you can run these during the day is by using a dimmer, with a relay to bypass the dimmer when you hit the bike high beam switch. I have mine wired so they are on when the bike lo-beam is on but running through the dimmer about 50% or less of full bright. So not only are they like a daytime running light, they provide a nice add-in to the bike's standard lo-beam at night without oncoming traffic getting pissed off at you. Same with coming up behind someone. They'll move over for sure, but they are not so blinding that they change their rear view mirror. Once you turn the bike high beam on and these come on at the same time, the dark just goes away. LOVE THEM.

maxtog · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2012, 07:31:13 PM »

Quote from: martin_14 on August 11, 2012, 04:06:18 PM

So... anybody driving with these on during the day?

Don't get me started!!!

B.D.F. · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2012, 06:43:59 PM »

According to their website, those lights put out over 3,000 lumens. If that is true after allowing for sales 'adjustment', then they would be as bright as standard HID lamps. Truly impressive for a solid state light. LED output is increasing almost daily it seems and it looks like the future will be LEDs everywhere.

Brian

Quote from: C1xRider on August 11, 2012, 01:58:11 PM

Received an email that the super bright LED driving lights I'm using are on sale, $162 for a pair. Might have to get me another set.

<snip>

Just an F.Y.I. for those that may be interested.

C1xRider · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2012, 11:28:13 AM »

Quote from: B.D.F. on August 12, 2012, 06:43:59 PM

According to their website, those lights put out over 3,000 lumens. If that is true after allowing for sales 'adjustment', then they would be as bright as standard HID lamps. Truly impressive for a solid state light. LED output is increasing almost daily it seems and it looks like the future will be LEDs everywhere.

Brian

I would like to compare them directly to HIDs at night, but haven't had the opportunity yet. My guess would be they are as bright or brighter in the first couple hundred yards, but the HID reflectors might get the light out further after that. However, I doubt I could outrun these things at night, unless I was just being totally stupid.

Another nice thing about the LED lights is they are instant on and at full brightness. No delays like with HIDs.

maxtog · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2012, 03:04:51 PM »

Quote from: C1xRider on August 13, 2012, 11:28:13 AM

Another nice thing about the LED lights is they are instant on and at full brightness. No delays like with HIDs.

They should also have a longer life, be impervious to jarring (no element or glass to break), and use less power.

Joncon11 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2012, 04:39:52 PM »

Thanks for the info, I just ordered mine. Do you have any install tips? I plan of using an accessory circuit under the glovebox (2011). I guess I have to pick up a weather proof switch of some sort too.

maxtog · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:14:02 PM »

Quote from: Joncon11 on August 13, 2012, 04:39:52 PM

Thanks for the info, I just ordered mine. Do you have any install tips? I plan of using an accessory circuit under the glovebox (2011). I guess I have to pick up a weather proof switch of some sort too.

Ideally (and legally) you would want to use a relay and wire it to the highbeam circuit to activate the LED's relay so they only come on with high beams. That also means one less switch to worry about or fail or have to constantly mess with. Since they are only 5 amps, it *might* be OK to run them directly to the highbeam circuit WITHOUT a relay, but that is kindy iffy...

C1xRider · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2012, 08:20:12 PM »

Quote from: Joncon11 on August 13, 2012, 04:39:52 PM

Thanks for the info, I just ordered mine. Do you have any install tips? I plan of using an accessory circuit under the glovebox (2011). I guess I have to pick up a weather proof switch of some sort too.

As Max said, using a relay that switches power from a fused, battery powered source, where the relay is controlled by the high beam switch. That would be ideal.

Mine are still wired directly to the high beam side of the headlights, but some day when I get more time, they wont be. The power draw is about 2.25 Amps per light, so 4.5 Amps for the pair. That's probably pushing the stock headlight circuit more than I should be, so I don't recommend it.

If I buy a couple more, then it would force me to finish the electrical side of the installation...

As for mounting locations, there are a few threads on this site with pictures showing where you can easily mount them. They are very small and light, so there are a few options. The units I bought are pictured here : http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=207.msg62370#msg62370

C1xRider · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2012, 08:37:53 PM »

Quote from: B.D.F. on August 12, 2012, 06:43:59 PM

According to their website, those lights put out over 3,000 lumens. If that is true after allowing for sales 'adjustment', then they would be as bright as standard HID lamps. Truly impressive for a solid state light. LED output is increasing almost daily it seems and it looks like the future will be LEDs everywhere.

Brian

I was thinking about this a little more, and remembered some details, but then had to go look them up again to be sure.

The CREE XML T6 and U2 LEDs are rated for 1000 lumens each, at about 3 amps. There are 4 LEDs per light, but they do not run them at max current (a little over half), which will increase the life span of the LEDs. With the exception of the inefficiency loss of the built in power supply, we could calculate the actual output of the LEDs themselves. Not sure if the wimpy little reflector would add much.

The measure of lumens isn't a great way to determine the quality of a driving light, but there doesn't seem to be any other industry standard in use.

Here is a link to the LED data sheet, for those who are curious. www.cree.com/products/pdf/xlampxm-l.pdf