Replacing Low Beam Halogen Headlights

Plebo2000 on 23/09/2022 - 16:29

I'm wanting to replace my low beam halogen headlight bulbs (H7) this weekend, they have both gone out in quick succession.
Many years ago I replaced halogen bulbs with purchases from Powerbulbs.com and was very impressed with the pricing and delivery.

However this time I've been caught out and need to replace them over the weekend and it looks like Amazon will be able to deliver to my door over the weekend.

Now that LED alternatives are available, is it simply a matter of fitting LED H7 alternatives or are there other issues to understand consider:
* suitability of the existing housing for LED alternatives,
* space availability to accommodate LED alternatives,
* the effectiveness of LED replacements in housing not designed for LED replacements?

Any suggestions, experiences or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Automotive Headlight

Comments

  • Hybroid on 23/09/2022 - 16:31
    +6

    You need to start with the first question. Is it legal? Most LED retrofit kits are not road legal.

  • Drakesy on 23/09/2022 - 16:41
    -2

    I bought a couple of LED globes (H7) off aliexpress to replace my halogens and tbh they work great.
    Are they legal? no
    Will you get pulled up with them? who knows.

    • AdosHouse on 23/09/2022 - 16:48

      Can it affect your insurance paying out it you are in an accident, also who knows.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2022 - 16:57

        pretty sure there was a guy on here a while ago in that situation, he was able to replace the globes with the original, legal globes after the fact…

        • Sleeqb7 on 24/09/2022 - 09:47

          I guess that would depend on the nature of the accident. If you're hit on the front end, or drive into someone, then you may have a hard time swapping bulbs or having someone believe said bulbs were present during the event.

        • sareth on 24/09/2022 - 13:55

          Haha just a lil fraud

      • apsilon on 23/09/2022 - 18:47

        We do know and it's a definite yes. Headlights are a roadworthy item, if they're not legal the car's not legal so both rego and insurance could be void if it were found.

  • Cluster on 23/09/2022 - 16:56
    +1

    Projector or reflector headlights? The latter perform really poorly with aftermarket LED conversions. It's impossible to get the LED chips in the exact same position as a tungsten wire in traditional light bulbs.

    LED H7 lights have heatsinks and fans on them. Will they even fit? They don't on my Hynundai i30.

    Also, legality. LEDs in halogen light fittings usually spray light everywhere, including into the eyes of oncoming drivers. If you're unlucky enough to be in an accident at night, you bet the insurance company will use your illegal headlights as an excuse to not pay.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2022 - 16:58
      +3

      Also, legality. LEDs in halogen light fittings usually spray light everywhere, including into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

      this is also a problem with modern vehicles that come with LEDs as standard, yet for some ridiculous reason, they are legal.

      • brendanm on 23/09/2022 - 17:14
        +2

        They have housings designed for it, and do not scatter, they have a very sharp cutoff.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2022 - 17:22
          +1

          they blind oncoming drivers

          • brendanm on 23/09/2022 - 17:25
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: If coming over a hill or something, they are bright. They do not "spray everywhere". They are very directional and controlled. Led matrix headlights are able to have high beam on most of the road, and low beam on for oncoming drivers.

            • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2022 - 17:35

              @brendanm: despite being "directional" and "controlled", they are still blinding oncoming drivers.. especially when it's a softroader vs a sedan / hatchback

              • brendanm on 23/09/2022 - 19:24

                @[Deactivated]: Please re-read the above.

                • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2022 - 19:49

                  @brendanm: i understand what you're saying, the problem is that in practise the technology just isn't as good as it's cracked up to be (for the other drivers).

                  i'm not disputing that it's not "spraying everywhere", but the problem is that it is still blinding to oncoming drivers, whereas older halogen headlights are not. the fact that they are directional and controlled matters little if you are still being blinded

                  • brendanm on 23/09/2022 - 20:56
                    -1

                    @[Deactivated]: Halogens still blind you in the same situations leds do, they just blind you slightly less. The matrix led's dont blind you at all.

                    Any are 10000% better than leds/hids in halogen housings.

                    • A-mak on 24/09/2022 - 14:34

                      @brendanm: You are supposed to adjust your headlights, it may be more intricate for LEDs. Many people don't know how/bother to do this, especially if you get a store to fit them.

                      I'm with Sauron, more often than not I can confuse the flog using aftermarket LEDs as driving towards me with high beams on. I hope the police start booking people.

                      • brendanm on 24/09/2022 - 15:07

                        @A-mak: I don't think you read what I wrote. I am against aftermarket LEDs. You are not meant to use them in standard housings, no amount of adjustment fixes them.

        • terrys on 24/09/2022 - 10:18

          Fat lot of use when the unit itself is at the height of the wing-mirror of the car in front of you and you're driving a small high truck re-invented as an "SUV".

    • TheOtherLeft on 24/09/2022 - 11:17

      I have an i20 and installed Narva LED replacements. They fit into the housing with no modifications and have a very sharp cutoff just like the original halogens.

  • brendanm on 23/09/2022 - 17:13
    +9

    Please don't use leds, the cutoff is garbage, and you will be blinding everyone coming toward you.

  • outlander on 23/09/2022 - 17:16
    +1

    they have both gone out in quick succession.

    Did you make sure not to touch the bulb with your fingers? And did you go for ordinary bulbs, or the wanky "+50%" that invariably mean decreased lifetimes

    Unless you're willing to make a full on project of it, just stick to the regular strength, yellow halogen bulbs from a reputable source. The potential gains from messing around are minimal, while the potential harm that may be caused is moderate

  • Euphemistic on 23/09/2022 - 17:24
    +3

    Just go to your local parts shop and purchase a couple of ‘standard’ globes. Simple.

    Don’t go LED unless they are ADR approved.

    Don’t get ‘extra bright’ or anything similar. You’ll pay more for shorter lifespan.

    If you really want to see better at night, clean the headlight lens - make sure it’s not yellow. Potentially upgrade the high beam or add a light bar etc. and don’t forget to get your eyes checked. As you age, your night vision goes first.

  • tekisei on 23/09/2022 - 21:20

    Anything above 4200K (colour temperature) is illegal (and retrofit LEDs are also illegal). I would actually pay a bit more for slightly extra bright, but not extra extra bright, since I got used to the brighter LEDs in my old car.

    I'm using Philips X-tremeVision Pro150 atm, 4 months on, still very bright. I also bought OSRAM Night Breaker Silver as a backup, but haven't used it yet. Both of these have 12 month warranty rather than the 6 or 3 month warranty of the super bright ones.

  • fishing on 24/09/2022 - 09:09
    -1

    I moved to LEDs on my moped and have been so grateful for extra projection and sight on dark roads at night. Instead of a beam only on the roads, the beam is wider and further giving me better vision to avoid animals or kids running across the road and being able to see objects on the road and having more time to react

    I will never go back to halogen

  • 2esc on 24/09/2022 - 10:29
    +2

    Quite simple if its not adr approved dont use!

  • LFO on 24/09/2022 - 10:43

    is it simply a matter of fitting LED H7 alternatives or are there other issues to understand consider:

    From our experience is not just another globe.
    LEDs globes need a driver/power_supply/electronics to drive those LEDs, usually with fans or better heat-sinks. So it is a bit more involved to do the install.

    It is very much doable but not a trivial "bulb out, bulb in".

    • TheOtherLeft on 24/09/2022 - 11:19

      Depending on the brand/construction it very much is a trivial swap. I've installed both types of Narva LED replacements and was surprised how easy it was.

  • Korban Dallas on 24/09/2022 - 16:23
    +2

    I bought some LEDs. Could hardly see at night. They looked bright but from the drivers seat terrible.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 24/09/2022 - 19:43

    Pfft. 130W HID or bust

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