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| LED headights? (Page 4/6) |
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theogre
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FEB 16, 02:55 PM
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Double post. [This message has been edited by theogre (edited 02-16-2021).]
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skywurz
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FEB 16, 03:13 PM
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Since we are off in the weeds. I would really really like this tech to come to the USA but out DOT laws are messed up and outdated.
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theogre
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FEB 16, 04:31 PM
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Is for OEM and many OEM system aren't available thru the aftermarket for many reasons. (Like No Airbag upgrades for old cars.)
Cadi and others have auto dimming HL back to a lest the 60's this is only an advance version of that.
I drove several cars w/ auto-dim and even simplest systems work well because you don't have to hit dimmer switch every time you have oncoming traffic on "country" 2-way road when you get just barely enough traffic becomes tiring and just stay on low beam.
Old Cadi had light cell to a "box" that have relay and few parts so can adjust the feature. So when have wide median to yellow line can set sensitivity different.
You could make a kit but making one to buy to fit universally is a lot harder. I think some have/had and sold thru JC Witless etc but installing and having work right isn't easy either.
Believe DOT does allow "turning HL" that aims more left/right in a turn and self leveling too. Self-leveling is good w/ large people in a car or heavy crap in the trunk etc. changes HL aiming. I think these only come w/ some high dollar luxury cars. Some Trucks might have self-leveling too.
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skywurz
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FEB 16, 05:39 PM
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Im fine with it being an OEM thing. It just needs to happen the DOT needs to get it together. ill drop this article from 2015 [url=]https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a25827/the-enginerdy-dept-dot-in-the-dark-headlight-tech/[/url] and nothing has happen in the last 6 years
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Wichita
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FEB 16, 07:29 PM
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There is much to say if the DOT regulations are really just way behind the times as well.
With many of the current camera technologies installed in new vehicles as an example, they can do away with trivial side mirrors that are required by DOT regulations.
The EU I believe has already allowed vehicles equipped with side mirror cameras to do away with the manual mirrors, as it is deemed safe.
But the USA, they always drag their feet on any upgrades to their regulations. Stuff on the books meant for yesteryears of decades old cars.
I mean, we are really fighting the regulations of headlights being halogen vs LED? Halogen has been used since the 60s. We should be looking to get rid of it.
Even most cities have moved away from sodium lights to LEDs for street lamps and good luck finding incandescents for your home.
I understand the "off road use only" warning labels that comes from lawyers looking for a payday. I mean, we had to get rid of HP rating for lawn mowers because of lawyers, so I'm not for sure if we are really talking about safety or legality at this point of time when it comes to LED headlights.[This message has been edited by Wichita (edited 02-16-2021).]
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Kitskaboodle
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FEB 17, 11:15 PM
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Despite all that’s being said, I love my LED’s on my 85 GT. Had them for a year now and have never had anyone flash their high beams on me, And yes, I carefully aimed them and yes mine are DOT marked.
There was one negative: I really had to modify the headlight buckets as the back of the led housings have cooling fins which interfered with the steel buckets. Several hours of moto-tooling and some touch up painting of the buckets black   and voila. 
Here is a few pics of mine;
Kit
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theogre
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FEB 18, 01:25 AM
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You guys think DOT/NHTSA is slow to update FMVSS?
You have no idea how often GM and all manufacturers fight Any rule change and fight Any Recall.
Is part of Why the Brake Rules have 2 section of FMVSS and lower standard/testing for P-brake in newer section.
NHTSA Recalls have many problems way beyond allowing GM blaming Fiero and others not using P-brake and Brake Recall Only Applies to manual trans cars.
| quote | Originally posted by Wichita:
I understand the "off road use only" warning labels that comes from lawyers looking for a payday. I mean, we had to get rid of HP rating for lawn mowers because of lawyers, so I'm not for sure if we are really talking about safety or legality at this point of time when it comes to LED headlights. |
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"Off Road," "Check Local Laws" like TFS loves, and others "Warnings" isn't just for lawyers and others dealing w/ crashes. Everything w/ with these statements are knowingly selling Illegal Parts to Avoid having NHTSA, FTC, etc. Recalling or otherwise having cases in Fed Courts.
Even If a Customer of TFS wants to "Check Local Laws" for crape HL they sell for ~ 20 Years is Very Hard to Impossible in most places. You can't find most lighting rules/laws by going to state DMV website or even at Main Office in the State Capital. Is often "buried" in State's Law or Reg "books" and even when found often very hard to read. Example, again: PA vehicle light law is almost verbatim of FVMSS 571.108 and most people can't read most of that either.
Many states still don't have all Laws and Reg's online.
If a state or local region really doesn't have ruled about car lights... Many cops can use FMVSS or other National laws/rules to write Tickets.
Many Q in NHTSA database that you can search and read are from LEO wanted more detail on a topic like LED to Replace Standard Bulbs in Taillights etc.
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60Greyhound
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FEB 18, 03:19 AM
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I find these threads amusing to read... basically LED lights are an improvement when fitted and aimed correctly they will be more reliable and give better light. Most manufacturers are now fitting LEDs as standard for that reason.
In my experience as long as they are fitted and aimed correctly Police and vehicle testers will never issue warnings for them, as they realise they are a 'modern upgrade' for a 30 year old vehicle, making it safer to drive.
Interesting the resistance to Lighting changes does not carry over to engine/brake upgrades which are actively encouraged?
Some people are just very resistant to change, and modernisation. Which is fine if you want a concours/original car... Me, I'm all for it, modern brakes, modern lights, modern engine... hell my car isn't even running fuses/relays anymore as I'm installing a PDM module instead!
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Will
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FEB 18, 11:44 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by theogre:
You guys think DOT/NHTSA is slow to update FMVSS?
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For a long time DoT thought automotive lighting development ENDED with the sealed beam headlight. Technology advanced and better lights were available in the rest of the world for a couple of decades before DoT started to catch up. In fact pop-up headlights were a way for designers to work around the DoT requirements to use big square headlights with shapes that couldn't be changed to fit the car. Also why enthusiasts for European brands have been installing Euro lights on their cars for years and years.
DoT has finally started to come around on lighting regulations, but we're still behind the rest of the world on that.
European heavy trucks can have hydraulic disk brakes. US trucks must have air brakes, which means we must have drum brakes. Another case of DoT not updating their regs to keep pace with technology.
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css9450
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FEB 18, 11:55 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by 60Greyhound:
Interesting the resistance to Lighting changes does not carry over to engine/brake upgrades which are actively encouraged?
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Oh, it probably does, if you look hard enough. Depends who you ask.
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