Td5 D2 electrics - Tungsten to LED (2)

Back in August 2016, I replaced the single '501' LED bulbs that were put into the front sidelight positions on HX with multiple '501' LED bulbs. 

I wrote about this in the earlier post and since then it has become obvious that the multiple LED bulbs are far brighter then the single LED bulbs that they replaced. (It feels strange to refer to LED's as 'bulbs' but it seems the Pope still wears a big hat).

This has led to thoughts of upgrading the fitted H7 headlight bulbs from their stock Tungsten up to Halogen 'Nightbreaker ' bulbs.

A quick search online threw up some new information about the upcoming demise of Tungsten filament bulbs. The EU have already passed directives that will prohibit the manufacture and use of Tungsten bulbs based on their higher energy usage. This is/was scheduled for 2018 but may be put back due to industry pressure.

The continued development of LED technology is progressing with the latest developments using Graphene that promise potential leaps in brightness and compactness of LED fitments.

So while I was searching on E-bay for suitable Tungsten/Halogen headlight H7 upgrades ( ie Osram 'Nightbreaker') I was surprised to see a profusion of H7 LED bulbs that kind of mimicked the layout of a Tungsten element bulb..

Above is a diagram of a H7 Tungsten bulb. That measurement of 25mm from the base plate upto the filament is crucial for correct beam projection. The Tungsten filament is a 360 degree point source and the latest crop of LED replacements try to replicate this.....

These designs would appear to address the issue around 'point source' and the beam projection when installed in reflectors and lenses that were designed for H7 Tungsten bulbs....  They are certainly much more suitable then the H7 LED bulbs I bought earlier last year...

An 'old ' style LED H7, not a point source!! And most likely unable to produce the correct beam pattern in a headlamp unit.

A 'new' style H7 LED capable of better mimicking the point source of the Tungsten filament.

Two more designs that attempt to recreate a point source illumination. I particularly like the 'trumpet' design of the first one using the shaped 'trumpets' to produce the point source by concentrating the LED output..

I intend to purchase a pair of these 'trumpet' designs just to see....

All of the above H7 LED bulbs are direct replacements. As far as I can ascertain they all claim to have higher Lumen counts then Tungsten/Halogen but with less then a third of the power consumption.

A standard Tungsten headlamp bulb is rated at 55watt and produces 1000 Lumens. 

A Halogen ('Nightbreaker') can put out 1500 Lumens

All of the above LED bulbs are capable of matching the Lumen output for a third of the wattage, and would be ideal for use on HX, but there are available LED bulbs with much higher Lumen outputs...

Three images of super bright LED bulbs that probably can produce a better 'point source' then the other ones above.

They are all rated with higher wattage and Lumen output then the others, typically 30 watt plus and around 3000 Lumens. 

All that extra power means these units run at a  much higher temperature and because of that they need their own on-board cooling mechanism. This is contained in those 'plant-bulb' bases which house the heat sink or even a motorised fan. The physicality brings extra spatial requirements for their installing and also reflects in their price point.

I have seen this type of LED 'luminaire' asking around £50 to be taken home.....

Finally, the 'point source' revolution has even reached to the H11 fitment used on HX for its front fog lamps....

...saving those pennies as I write .....