David
Well, yes, the Hella 500 does indeed use the H3 bulb but it is in a slightly larger & much more efficient reflector than the OEM Wipac units. It provides a wider & longer light beam than the high beam headlights. It is available in spot, driving & fog versions. Wipac is a manufacturer of relatively inexpensive after-market accessories - you won't see their lights on serious performance cars.
I refer to 'glare' as being spurious light that contributes nothing to illuminate the road. LEDs must be in a housing designed specifically for them, usually a projector-type. In an inappropriate reflector housing, light is scattered in all directions = glare.
I'm seeing the Hella 500 LED units in the $100 - $150 per pair range, by the way.
I appreciate the suggestions and insight. Definitely would get the Hella 500 if I was buying new, since it seems so similar to stock and way cheaper.
Is this the 500 LED version you meant? The mounting points are the same? It has an array of small forward facing LED's - doesn't that create the same glare problem as any other forward facing filament bulb? I do seem them sold individually for $55ish each which is an attractive price.
These bulbs fit (just about the max length possible while still fitting through the bulb hole and not hitting the lens) and are plenty bright:
TUINCYN H3 LED Fog Light Bulb 3014 78SMD Lens Super Bright 6500K 900 Lumens DRL Daytime Driving Lamp Car LED Light Bulb with Projector, Plug and Play Bulb DC 12V-24V, 4W, White(Pack of 2)
Ill try and post up some lit up pics later. Given the short duration that I usually have these on, I’m not worried about a heat induced early death like other LED applications.
Worth mentioning, the rice with soap trick worked like a charm. I used some Uncle Bens 10min White Rice with a couple of ounces of Castrol Super Clean. As mentioned, swirl for a couple minutes and then drain. I managed to shake all the rice out by repeatedly fill up the housing with water and shaking it out. Used a hair drier to dry them out. Really pleased with the outcome.
What does the actual beam pattern on the road or on a brick wall look like?
I’ll take a snap of the lights lit against my garage door when I get a chance. Currently blocked in the garage. What attracted me to these bulbs was the fact that the diodes are 360* around the barrel of the bulb housing and cast light in a similar pattern to the halogen bulb, so in theory, the beam pattern should be similar.
Cool! I'm happy with mine, too. Here's a before and after. A bit embarrassed I haven't changed my headlights to a whiter/bluer bulb, so really have to do that now... The more bluish bulbs are from Amazon - Labworks brand - $12 a pair - "
2x H3 30-SMD 4014 LED Bulbs XENON 6000K White 12V Car Fog Light Lamp". Supposedly these are 550 Lumens, which is probably half of what the halogens made. I will switch the other side out with another brand that claims to be brighter.
After - cleaned the inside and LED bulb Before - haze on the inside and original halogen bulb showing color temp of the LED compared to Halogen.
