Another LED convert

[precarious]

After being very skeptical of LED driving lights and being quite fond of my converted HID PIAA 510s, I mounted one of these:



An Ebay special, a Chinese knock-off of a Ridgid Industries LED light bar.

All I can say is WOW! Short of carrying a small sun around with me, this is THE way to light the road. It doesn't have quite the range of the HIDs, but the spread and quality is amazing.

For anyone else feeling skeptical like I was, don't.

[bloc]

Have any pics of it mounted?

[HairyLeg]

How about a link?

[GB]

A link and dimensions would be great..

[precarious]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22-LED-LIGHT...#ht_1068wt_952

Here's one link. They're made by Sanmak or Hanma or one of those Chinese sellers. You can check out some of their other stuff here: http://www.sanmaklight.com/ I have tried a set of their HIDs, too. Very bright, very inexpensive, also recommended and - last I knew - sold at O'Reilley's Autoparts.

I got the 22" version. Will post pics, soon. Simple install, especially if you already have aux lights wired. It actually features two hot leads to split the current draw, which I like. I read a lot of reviews from guys on Jeep and Tacoma forums: they mostly said they're like 80% of the performance for 30% of the price. Like a Strom compared to a GS

It is heavier and more massive than I thought; I've got to reinforce or redesign my mount. But, given that LEDs last, basically, forever, are virtually indestructible, and are instant on, I can cope.

[bloc]

I'm just having trouble visualizing where you'd put a 22" light on a bike. Looking forward to those pics.

[Butters]

In the posted link, go to the bottom and look at the vendor's other items. It will direct you to a 6" lightbar for $97.

[ColoradoJohn]

Originally Posted by bloc

I'm just having trouble visualizing where you'd put a 22" light on a bike. Looking forward to those pics.

Ditto.

I'm imagining a goofy looking smiling cyclops bike.

FYI, these are not considered "driving lights" or perhaps you simply misused a term. Auxiliary lighting sold as "driving lights" are legal to use as normal lighting in most states, similar to how fog lights are legal but for a different use. These are considered off-road lighting and should only be used in those situations. Otherwise the obvious: blinding the piss out of oncoming traffic, annoying drivers in front of you and getting the attention of police.

John

[sanjoh]

Originally Posted by Butters

In the posted link, go to the bottom and look at the vendor's other items. It will direct you to a 6" lightbar for $97.

Looks like some old tech LEDs 2200 lumens (approximate according to vendor) from 12 leds using 36watts is ridiculous these days.

I would encourage you to look at other leds. 100 lumens per watt (or more) leds are available for much less money than the product you referenced. The newer leds run cooler, maintain light color/frequency longer.

[genka]

Or some vendors are more realistic in their specs.

[ColoradoJohn]

Originally Posted by genka

Or some vendors are more realistic in their specs.

Are you saying this no-name company is stating the real world specs and other proven brands are lying?

[genka]

I didn't say that proven brands are lying. For example, I consider JW Speaker, making DOT certified lights for OEMs, including HD to be a proven brand. Their 24W headlights are rated to 1200 raw/ 650 effective lumen.
Hella's 15W LEDs are rated to 670 lumen.
So 2200 lumen from 36W sounds reasonable.
But "100 lumens per watt (or more)" does not.

[sanjoh]

Originally Posted by genka

I didn't say that proven brands are lying. For example, I consider JW Speaker, making DOT certified lights for OEMs, including HD to be a proven brand. Their 24W headlights are rated to 1200 raw/ 650 effective lumen.
Hella's 15W LEDs are rated to 670 lumen.
So 2200 lumen from 36W sounds reasonable.
But "100 lumens per watt (or more)" does not.

It's good to be skeptical but you really need to do some reading. LEDs technology is developing rapidly.

Start with this. Notice the first page, first paragraph "100 lumens per watt efficacy"

[genka]

Yes, the technology is developing, but it usually shows up in high end products first. I think it is only reasonable to have doubts that inexpensive general purpose lights would ship with the most advanced and expensive LED bin, while established brand name products would use lower quality LEDs.

[precarious]

Considering I paid less than $300 shipped, I'm happy with old tech as long as it works. It lights up the road. Good enough. After all, coal, oil, and gas are all "old tech" compared to solar and - my favorite - nuclear, but they still work just fine. You know, barring the whole greenhouse gas and finite resource thing. They keep my beer cold just the same.

Pics tomorrow, I hope. I mounted it below the headlights. It's the same width as the mount I had for the PIAAs. Actually, it's bolted to the same mount. The Strom is not a pretty bike to begin with, so I don't think the looks suffered too much.