Great LED head lamp conversion

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by The Big Guy, Dec 22, 2018.

  1. The Big Guy

    The Big Guy Nailhead Nation

    I've been experimenting with LED head lamp conversions for several years, and for the most part have been disappointed. However, today I installed a set of LED sealed beams from Octane Lighting into my 1979 Lincoln Mark V. They advertised that these were plug-n-play, and they were right. There was no splicing, no wiring, no relays, no head lamp bucket modifications. They literally popped in.

    They are very bright. Here's a shot of the low beams.

    [​IMG]

    I was apprehensive that they were too bright and did not have a very good beam cut-off. But after driving around town and on the outskirts of town for a while, no one flashed their high beams at me. They're a huge improvement over stock and easy as pie to install. In fact, they're so easy and quick that you could run them when you're driving the car and switch them out for judging if you're worried about losing points. These will be definitely going into more of my cars.

    Here's the link: https://www.octanelighting.com/prod...-metal-headlight-6k-set-033-034-3rd-gen-led-2
     
  2. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Sweet - do they get very hot (at the base)?
     
  3. The Big Guy

    The Big Guy Nailhead Nation

    They have a rubber capsule around the back of the light for weatherproofing, so probably not.
     
  4. BrianinStLouis

    BrianinStLouis Silver Level contributor

    Looks like a huge improvement. Buick is not an option on their website.
    1968-70 Chevelle is available.
     
  5. The Big Guy

    The Big Guy Nailhead Nation

    I don't think they make much of an attempt to catalog every car that the headlights will fit. They're probably all about the same anyway.
     
  6. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    ANY vehicle that uses the 5 3/4" round headlights these will fit. INCLUDING OUR BUICK's.
     
    docgsx likes this.
  7. Joe T

    Joe T Well-Known Member

    May need to upgrade the alt. High beams consume 96 watts...
     
  8. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    If the wattage is increased over stock, while the voltage remains at 12, the amperage must increase. If the amperage is now greater than stock, there is a serious consideration over whether the stock wiring and connectors are designed to handle the increased heat load.
     
  9. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Watts/volts = amps. 96 watts Divided by 12 volts = 8 amps. Stock headlamps were 55 watts so 55 divided by 12 = 4.5 amps. A relay should be employed to run the LED's as they will probably overwhelm the stock light switch.

    And I agree with Jim that the alternator should probably be upgraded.
     
  10. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    Swapped my Maggot over a year ago Driving at night...Much easier I also have relays on both high and low beams..A little more trouble but well worth it. I have a 120 1 wire alternator to install soon to help out. Mine have the green outer daytime running lights as well. I had to do very minimal adjustments. 18423686_10154439559401674_8032730635007055166_n.jpg 17880034_10154360250346674_7185719414727137955_o.jpg
     
  11. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    Attached Files:

  12. DasRottweiler

    DasRottweiler -BuickAddict-

    Can anyone provide a wiring diagram/schematic using relays to install these correctly?
    A source for relays and plug ends needed would be great as well. The headlights on my 70 are horrible and I would love to address that issue .....Jim/Rott
     
  13. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    I am a bit lost. Brad where did you get that they were 96 watts ? I see they state on the link that the " 18 Watts Low Beam / 24 Watts High Beam Energy Usage Per Bulb " if that's correct I add up (18+18+24+24= 84) I would have thought the bulbs we have in our old Buicks pulled a LOT more than this ? Are you saying that the bulbs in our old Buicks for 4 of them is only 55 watts total for all 4 ?? I would love to have more energy efficient bulbs that are bright in my car. The old ones get way to hot and I dont think they put out nearly enough light compared to modern headlights / int lights. I dont want to mess anything up is why I am asking.
     
  14. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    See Joe's post above...just going by this.
     
  15. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    No Ryan, each high beam is 55 watts. Low beams were in the 35 watt vicinity. I'm sure the LED's are better, I am just worried about the low beam cut-off as the OP stated. I see LOTS of light hitting tops of trees and power lines. The low beam should be better controlled with a much lower, elevation wise, cut off.
     
  16. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Thanks Brad. I just didn't want to make a change that would hurt something in the system. I see what you mean the light really does go high. Not that I am going to do a lot of driving late at night. I wouldn't want to blind anyone coming towards me. I wonder if it can be adjusted to not blind other drivers.
     
  17. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Pat what kind of headlights did you put in ? I like the color driving light idea. Wonder if they have a blue ?
     
  18. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

  19. DasRottweiler

    DasRottweiler -BuickAddict-

    Some states will not allow the use of certain colors for accessory lighting . Blue Red Green Yellow are not allowed for use on vehicles in NH because they are emergency and/or traffic colors . Check your state laws before ordering.
    Bad Boattail, thanks for the diagram, appreciated. Now to source the relays.....
    Jim/Rott
     
  20. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Just google Hella, they make relays used worldwide and are available almost everywhere.
     

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