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It's finally happened, there is a Bi-LED projector that fits with our ACA headlight system. Here we look at the comparison to the 55w HID Bi-xenon setup we currently use. Here were the findings:
The original test from last week had the light meter readings noted incorrectly and the camera settings were not correctly setup. Tonight's shoot yielded more accurate results.
Camera in manual mode set to for each photo to objectively show each light's illumination capacity. Both LED and HID projectors were externally mounted
Objective test: 20 feet from wall with Morimoto light meter. Low beam tested only. Camera in Manual mode
Settings F5.0, 1/20" ISO 400
HID Projector
Top Dead Center: 720 Lux
10 degrees off-center Top: 158 Lux
Note the High beam is very wide and very tall.
Bi-LED projector
Top Dead Center: 1120 Lux
10 degrees off-center: 138 Lux
Note: the LED high beam is narrower but more intense. than the HID projector.
The light meter reading showed the LED projector has more output at the center, while the HID projector has a more even spread. Based on these readings, the LED projector should have further throw.
Subjective test: dark road test 475 foot test
Using a private road, the mark for "decent" visibility is the ability to illuminate the 8" wide tree trunk about 475 feet away. The Camera had difficulty picking up the true throw of each light due to foreground illumination, but with the 210mm adjustable lens, I was able to get better shots. All settings remained manual and same as wall testing except the exposure was changed to 1/5"
The test field
HID projector
Low beam: (zoomed in) Tree is not visible
High Beam
LED projector
Low beam: (zoomed in) Tree is visible
High Beam
As predicted based on the light meter readings, the LED projector was able to throw slightly further. Both projectors were easily able to illuminated the tree 475 feet away in high beam mode, but only the LED Projector was able to clearly illuminate it in low beam mode.
By all testing, the LED projector is an improvement.
Last edited by TheRadioFlyer; 05-15-2020 at 11:43 PM.
Great information! Definitely looking forward to seeing pictures and results.
Are there any additional requirements or setup necessary for the lower resistance LEDs and the pop ups flipping up? I recall some HID kits had issues with that and needed a work around. Also, (I'm assuming the LEDs have fans) how audible are the LED fans from in the car vs. outside)
Good to hear and see the difference. I'll waiting for your final opinion on them. Do the LED's have any kind pf ballest? I'm not a fan of those. Also, do the lights go down when shut off on the low beam setting?
Very nice! Since I just bought the Bi-Xenon ACAs how much extra crack would I have to sell to upgrade to LED?
We're looking at offering a "DIY" kit for people that already have ACA or our Bi-Xenon headlights. Price is TBA
Originally Posted by AntonioZ06
Are there any additional requirements or setup necessary for the lower resistance LEDs and the pop ups flipping up? I recall some HID kits had issues with that and needed a work around. Also, (I'm assuming the LEDs have fans) how audible are the LED fans from in the car vs. outside)
The harness we include for our xenon version to keep the headlight motors fully functional on battery power will also work for the LED version.
Originally Posted by mstromquist
Good to hear and see the difference. I'll waiting for your final opinion on them. Do the LED's have any kind pf ballest? I'm not a fan of those. Also, do the lights go down when shut off on the low beam setting?
The LEDs have an external driver box (similar to a ballast but smaller/lighter) The lights will retract on low beam setting and should also lower on cars with the twilight system.
Very nice to see the updated pictures. Its surprising how much narrower the LED high beam is. Its definitely food for thought. Seeing further with LED low beams or having a broader view of the side of the road with HID high beams. Definitely something I need to think over
(1) What is the expected lifespan of the LEDs?
(2) Will individual components (LEDs/driver electronics) be seperately available for after the warranty expires?
(3) Have these been tested for RF interference? (Reason for asking is that I recently had an issue with a couple of LEDs that were great RF emitters - causing a problem with the key fob/remote. Sure took me a while to figure that one out...)
(1) What is the expected lifespan of the LEDs?
(2) Will individual components (LEDs/driver electronics) be seperately available for after the warranty expires?
(3) Have these been tested for RF interference? (Reason for asking is that I recently had an issue with a couple of LEDs that were great RF emitters - causing a problem with the key fob/remote. Sure took me a while to figure that one out...)
1) Several thousand hours. By comparison, HID systems the high-voltage arc degrades the electrodes over time) voltage through the LEDs is so low, there is minimal damage to
2) As with all our products, if there is an electrical failure or physical damage after the warranty, we can work with the customer to purchase only the replacement parts needed. In this kit, the housings are the only component that must be sold as a pair.
3) I have not experienced or heard any reports of RF interference
Originally Posted by Kiddbats
Does this mean Hid is no longer available
Correct.
Originally Posted by roelkers
George are both lens the project lens?
In each housing, there is a projector and reflector. The projector has high and low beam functions while the reflector is a dedicated high beam only.
05-07-2020, 09:13 AM
Sharp Light innovations Bi-LED ACA (R&D thread)
