Halogen to LED full beam bulbs possible? HIR2 (9012)

BlakeS94

Have an i40 and one of its downfalls is the abysmal light output, In the past i purchased good quality dipped and full beam halogen bulbs, the dipped are now fine but the full beams are still woeful with the halogen bulbs. I think it's something got to do with the actual dome design of the headlight. Looking at replacing with CREE LED HIR2's to see if that helps. Dont know if its plug and play, seems to be but the halogen are a right angle fitment whereas the LEDs are just a straight stalk with some bulk at the bottom, I'm wondering about figment inside the light fixture. They'll cost me about €60 so want to make sure they're right.

muddle84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058158819/halogen-to-led-full-beam-bulbs-possible-hir2-9012

Did you go for these in the end? I'm looking at doing the same thing for my 151 insignia. Lights are abysmal!

If your lights is designed for halogen do not ever install LED. There is 1 very simple reason - LED can not imitate the wolfram wire and its exact location. I am sure you seen many weird car beams on roads, some shows to the sky, others everywhere else. If you really like the LED, buy the specially designed entire unit.

muddle84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118144930#Comment_118144930

Thanks for the reply! Where would i be the specially designed entire unit for a 151 insignia hatchback? Is there any alternatives to making my lights better because they are shocking! Compared to my wifes avensis it really is night and day!!

paddysdream

Not sure what bulb is in an insignia but I replaced H4 bulbs in a Landcruiser with plug and play LED bulbs a couple of years ago .Working away the finest with a much improved light output .No issues what so ever with them and they have passed 2 CVRT tests in that time .

Just a case of swapping them over .

Lights are much brighter with a noticeably whiter light than halogen bulb .Do a lot of driving at night on country roads and the improvement is immense .Not too sure what they cost but remember they were pricey enough .Could have been 40 euros each maybe but not certain .Bought them in a bricks and mortar outlet .

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118145607#Comment_118145607

Only.... over 800eur per unit and you get specially designed LED headlight unit. You need total 2 so price is insane. But quality is too good. All these LED bulb style "things" does not last long time because the heat problem. Not enough heatsink and tiny fan. Only good thing what I do not see here is people who say "Power saving". These LED does not save the power thanks for ballast resistor. Your modern car monitors constantly the headlight circuit and measures the circuit power consumption. If it is lower than original factory bulb uses, it triggers instantly DTC. Only way to get power saving is to kick out that resistor and modify the ECU values.

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118144780#Comment_118144780

My i40 met the end of its life so I never got around to fitting them, however I do have a mk4 mondeo now and I've fitted led bulbs to it as the light output isn't the best on that car either (but still better than the i40's). Have them in a few months and no issues, there can be issues with the heat from the bulb causing damage to the headlight lenses, but just don't buy the cheapest option, you can get ones with a slightly bigger fan but I think the issue then is fitting them with enough clearance to seal the headlamp casing properly.

In short, I think the led upgrade will be safe, I just wouldn't have the headlights on every day , just at night time when they're needed, you will be able to judge yourself if you leave the lights on for say 30mins and put your hand on the headlight to check how hot it is. I've seen YouTube videos of the i40 led upgrade and the light quality and output is much better. Also I found i40 blew halogen bulbs like crazy, I think I replaced both headlight bulbs 4 or 5 times in the 2 years of ownership, you won't have this issue with LEDs because there is no filament to break.

I would recommend CREE LED bulbs if you're going forward. Also go for Canbus LEDs to prevent any issues with warning lights after installation, although I'm not sure if the i40 has a Canbus system

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118149890#Comment_118149890

That led for canbus is just a simple 50 cents resistor. It simulate the same load as halogen. The sellers ask big money for that option.

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118149940#Comment_118149940

It won't be anything near the €400 each for a full LED unit anyway. You could get a pair for the dipped beams for about €30 on amazon that have canbus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118150386#Comment_118150386

It does not have canbus or any canbus connectivity. Only simple resistor. Yes ECU monitor the line but it detects only the current. No magic there. Even philips sells to you happily these cheap resistors by tens of euros.

Polo_Cluvie

Blakes94 can you post a link of the leds you got for your mk4 please. Is there a dip and a high bulb for each headlight? Cheers

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118162419#Comment_118162419

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/nighteye-car-led-headlamps-h7-h4-h11-light-bulbs-9000-lm-cob-72-w-2-for-universal-2pcs_p8461888.html?currency=EUR&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping&sku=1035_24740&country_code=ie&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&adword_mt=&adword_ct=436220600778&adword_kw=&adword_pos=&adword_pl=&adword_net=u&adword_tar=&adw_src_id=1463064549_10099902133_105008468081_pla-679767095426&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhMOMBhDhARIsAPVml-GPH3ri4eaDdWnyBa30GTAPUYCY3MP3lnnxvGwaDCuSNuRt8t0xVLsaAkJAEALw_wcB#header_anchor

just dipped beams

Polo_Cluvie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118164661#Comment_118164661

Did you have to buy the adapter rings separately or do they come with the leds?

corks finest

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118144780#Comment_118144780

Lads count yere blessings yere not driving a Honda Insight in the dark may aswell shine a torch out the window-isram night breakers work but don’t always last