LED headlights

[dodge78 90]

Here is my version of LED headlights.

Start with the Platinum Burners, Walmart $18.98. These have 50 watt 12 volt MR16 bulbs. And are 2 1/2 inches outside diameter and is a spot light.

Out of the package. There is a rubber plug in the back that holds the bulb and seals the back but a grommet might be needed for the wires.

Then the LEDs, $13.49 shipped a piece on Ebay. 12 volts, 3.2 watts according to the box. MR16 21 SMD LED bulb 50W halogen equivalent. I bought one set (2) cool (blueish) and one set warm (yellowish). These are a flood type bulb.

Orininal and LED.

Well isn't that pretty. But how well do they work? Lets have a look. In this room:

I have a $20 lux meter hanging on the wall.

with lites set up this way.

Power by this, a converted computer power supply.

Here the original bulb. The meter reads 265, but most of the light is concerntrated.

Here is the warm bulb. Meter reads 22. The light covers most of the room.

and the cool. Meter reads 22. The light covers most of the room.

Then I went to set up 2 and turned it so the spot was not on the meter.

With spot, meter reads 20.

warm bulb. Meter reads 22.

]

cool bulb. Meter reads 22.

Thats about it, oh, the spots were on for less than a minute and were warmer than the LEDs after 15 min. And I tried to get a picture of it but it was hard show, the two pieces of glass on the LEDs are not sealed. I will probably use a silicon adhesive to seal it because I could not find an o-ring or other type of seal for it.

So for $47 a pair, I did not think it was too bad.

[dpm2000bolt 0]

great post how are you looking to put them on the tractor? great comparison

[dodge78 90]

great post how are you looking to put them on the tractor? great comparison

I have not gotten to that yet, I wanted to get this done first. The main reason I wanted other lights is because it hard to see wants right in front of you with the bucket raised some. I am looking on the loader somewhere or on the bucket.

On to part three, now that the weather and other parts of life are willing to cooperate and I can get all of the shots in one setting.

Out door wall shots. The meter is 33 inches off the ground and 8'8" away from the tractor. Tractors were off. I used a 418

and a C-160 that has a clear plastic cover and aluminum duct tape in the headlight bucket.

Here is the 418 with meter at 389

C-160, meter at 23

The LED and Burners were on the hood of the 418

The Platinum Burners, meter at 333

Here is the warm bulb. Meter reads 34

and the cool. Meter reads 35

[Save Old Iron 1,563]

Dodge,

a quick question. Did you have your camera set on manual exposure with spot metering selected? - so as to have equal exposure with all different bulbs?

This factor makes for a confusing comparison if the camera is left on AUTO.

In the comparison you show above, the "Platinum's" log in at 333 lux and the "cool whites" at 1/10th that brightness. Yet the pictures would suggest the opposite, the "cool whites" pic looks much brighter.

If left in the AUTO MODE with metering on AVERAGE, the camera will adjust its exposure to attempt to make all pictures equal brightness. That concept makes for a great point and shoot camera, but plays havoc with visual comparisons.

[dodge78 90]

The first bunch I did it right, the second bunch I forgot. So I will do it again.

[shootinok 15]

Great post!

I, like the omnivorous one, was confused by the pics compared to the readings.

Cool comparison though! :thumbs: