Thermo's new idea

[Thermo]

Contemplating doing a new mod for offroad lights. I am looking at doing all LED lights. What I have found is 900 lumen LEDs. Then to mount say 10 of them side by side to shine out in front of the truck. I figure that should put out a fair amount of light (would be like having 6 55W off-road lights lit up). As I play some more, I will keep people aware of what is going on. I also found some 100W LEDs (rated at 9,000 lumen each), but I would need a 12V to 36V converter to make those work. I am thinking something like 3 of those would be more than plenty for any night time driving. He he he he.

So, what you think. Not sure if I am going to mount them inside my Hella Black Magics or if I am going to get some cheap housings and play with them some. The options are kinda unlimited right now.

 

[toms89]

I am an electrical contractor and have recently began installing led recessed lighting. They put out impressive amount of light for the wattage. Even significantly more than cfl's. As they improve the light spectrum and reduce the cost I am sure they will replace both cfl's and incandescent. Less wattage. Last many years if not a lifetime. Practically instant on and dimmable.

Point is led's are the wave of the future. More light, less power.

Do it & post photos!!

 

[tallsville]

sounds like a good mod. keep us posted

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

I like it Thermo. ++ on progress updates.
PanHandler.

 

[Thermo]

I just had a thought about how to do the lights that might be counter intuitive to most. What about "invisible" off-road lights. I'm sure most of you are wondering what I am getting at. I guess what I am somewhat envisioning is these pieces are only about 1" square (not counting the small tabs on the sides) for each 10W LED. The idea is you can put a few of them side by side, wire them up, encase them in a small clear acrylic mold such that you "float" the LEDs in the acrylic (ie, not cover up the LED face) and then you can paint the acrylic portion say black. From there, you could hide them in say the crack between the bumper and the headlights or between the fins of the grill. The light emitting portion of the LEDs is actually only about 3/4x3/4". So, you could have monster lighting and no one would know unless they looked closely for the small yellow squares on the front of your truck. Hmmmmmmmm.

Gotta hate having an active imagination. LMAO.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Well if anyone is going to be able to do it, it is going to be you haha. It sounds very interesting for sure. I was thinking the grille fins myself, put a block in all 4 corners and no one would ever know any different. Very cool idea

 

[tallsville]

if you come up with a good way to do it. i would love a write up. would like to add some in the grill.

 

[omegalita]

So, what you think.

I give that idea a ++!

 

[01yellerCobra]

I've been thinking about something similar to your second idea. I want to mount some LEDs behind the grill for when I'm driving across the desert or going camping. You should do this so I can copy your idea.

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[ELVATO]

Heat management?

 

[jerzeyscrew]

I just had a thought about how to do the lights that might be counter intuitive to most. What about "invisible" off-road lights. I'm sure most of you are wondering what I am getting at. I guess what I am somewhat envisioning is these pieces are only about 1" square (not counting the small tabs on the sides) for each 10W LED. The idea is you can put a few of them side by side, wire them up, encase them in a small clear acrylic mold such that you "float" the LEDs in the acrylic (ie, not cover up the LED face) and then you can paint the acrylic portion say black. From there, you could hide them in say the crack between the bumper and the headlights or between the fins of the grill. The light emitting portion of the LEDs is actually only about 3/4x3/4". So, you could have monster lighting and no one would know unless they looked closely for the small yellow squares on the front of your truck. Hmmmmmmmm.

Gotta hate having an active imagination. LMAO.

Hey Chris, I've got a ton of scrap Lexan if you need some to fab something up. Just let me know. PM me if you need my phone #

 

[Canadian Expy]

LED's are great. my Rigid LED lights are stupid bright.
I think what helps ( like all lights ) is a good reflector.
Do the hidden ones, that sounds great

 

[Thermo]

Jersey, I may stop by your place if you are still living in your same place. Been awhile since I have stopped by. I can then show you what I have in mind and we can do a little bit of playing. Then we can see what sort of "trouble" we can get into.

Elvato, as for heat management, these same 10W LEDs are being used in up to 100W applications (using the same packaging). So, I have a feeling that the LEDs are going to handle the heat that they generate even if they are enclosed in a light housing or something of the like. I think even a bit of epoxy placed over the back is not going to hurt them. But, that is part of what I want to figure out.