Changing H7 halongene to LED headlight

[jomo72]

Hi guys did anyone have made the switch from halogene H7 headlights to LED? what do I need and is there any restrictions ?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by jomo72

Hi guys did anyone have made the switch from halogene H7 headlights to LED? what do I need and is there any restrictions ?

This is along the same train of thought as halogen to HID. Without the correct housing for it you'll likely scatter light and blind other drivers.

[jomo72]

Yeah don't worry I have the proper housing now what I needed to is that were any restrictions or recomandations that I should be aware of

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by jomo72

Yeah don't worry I have the proper housing now what I needed to is that were any restrictions or recomandations that I should be aware of

Ah, good on ya lol. Check your local motor vehicle act/legislation. It's likely available online.

You'll likely have zero issues with police unless you're doing something stupid or go through a vehicle compliance checkpoint and they find out the lights aren't OEM. Although even then, probably not since there are xenon lights from factory.

A friend of mine replaced his entire housings with new ones that are designed for LED. A cop pulled a u turn on a highway to give him a ticket for it, the colour gave it away since it's an older Honda Prelude. Late 90's I think. Anyway he was able to fight it since our motor vehicle act defines LED as an acceptable form of headlight bulb (or rather doesn't say it's illegal).

[jomo72]

Thx for the info's but I was more searching for technical infos like if there is any connectors to change or what should I take care of to make sure that the computer won't cut off the headlights ... more stuff like that. But thx for the infos that you gave me :-)

[andrey_gta]

H7 led are weak light output.

Please consider a Canbus compatible BMW HID retrofit kit of bulbs & ballasts or simply use Osram 65w halogen bulb for increased night safety

[jomo72]

ok fine ! I have the canbus, when you talk about low output do tou have any idea of how many W ?

[reisf]

Originally Posted by jomo72

ok fine ! I have the canbus, when you talk about low output do tou have any idea of how many W ?

Sorry to interrupt - found this video on youtube which compares different types of headlights bulb, just so you can see the difference. Its spot on - LED replacement bulbs are generally quite weak in output and cant project very far because of that

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by reisf

Sorry to interrupt - found this video on youtube which compares different types of headlights bulb, just so you can see the difference. Its spot on - LED replacement bulbs are generally quite weak in output and cant project very far because of that

+1.

The high end cars that have them have very specific housings for the LEDs and are not a plug in halogen socket with LEDs.

Check where you purchased the bulbs as they may say something like "for off road use. For fog lights or running lights"

I tested one halogen vs one LED bulb on an old Chevy I had a couple years ago. The light output was so weak it was like driving with a headlight out. Technology has come a ways since but food for thought.

If you have a full replacement housing with LEDs they should have a ballast and set up similar to HIDs to properly concert the power from your factory system. If it plugs into the factory halogen connector at the bulb, the best you could do is try to code the voltage up but I doubt it would have much impact.