A couple of weeks ago, I finally finished upgrading the front lighting on my JK.
Thanks to a custom bar from Ashley (LEDs Unlimited) fitted with a second hand 288w LED bar + 2 x 100w HID Hella Rallye 4000 Spots, Britax Headlight inserts and much better lamps, I now am nearing 50,000 lumens and night has become day!
I had the bar resprayed rescue green to match the Jeep and the LED bar heatsink sandblasted and re-painted in heat resistant enamel designed for commercial outdoor floodlights.
The LED bar had a little moisture in it but upon opening it up to dry it out, there was no visible damage to the electronics.
We resealed the bar to prevent further water ingress, which I now regret a little as 2 of the LEDs failed shortly after the bar was put back together, so I now need to pull it off again and see why. No big deal.
I use LEDs every day in stage lighting applications at work but I have never been an advocate of them as vehicle spotlights as they simply are not good at projecting over distance.
I have been involved in numerous discussions here and in other forums about LED -v- HID -v- Halogen, always believing each has its advantages.
I think I have hit on the perfect combination for my needs.
The combination of Euro beam HID spots (4300k) and LED is just AMAZING.
It is true that LED whilst delivering such a narrow part of the spectrum, does tend to flatten objects and doesn't offer great definition or distance but in short distance applications, its not a problem. The instant ON of LED is also a big advantage.
I wouldn't use the bar on the road as I am pretty sure it would be illegal but offroad where a shorter wider throw is required, it is incredible.
The HID spots on the other hand, have a huge throw distance but offroad are a bit wobbly given that I have mounted them on the winch bay cover plate in order to recess them a little into my ARB bar, instead of having them poke out front where they are vulnerable to damage.
The Euro pattern is a combination spot/medium flood but unlike my previous 7" Hella halogen Euro pattern spots, the blend between the spot and the flood is so gradual that you don't get any unevenly lit (and distracting) patch of road at all.
Lower colour temperature HID is comfortable on the eyes on long trips and offers good definition. The start up time is pretty good and the restart time of the kit I am using is great when you need to dip for oncoming traffic and then flick your spots back on once they pass.
I'm really pleased with the outcome of this little project despite the expression on Ben's face in the pic
Thanks to Ashley for hooking me up with the LED & custom bar.
I can see clearly now ... the eye strain has gone!
