LED lamps in roof spots

Has anyone tried this??

I have 4 spots fitted, and they seem to have a rather narrow beam, which for one pair, which I have striaght ahead, is fine, but the outer pair, I want to use to illuminate the side/ahead a bit more and you just end up with a bright spot where the light hits, and not alot else.

Now, I'm thinking LEDs are a wider beam, and the reflectors not really made for LEDs, so wondered if some of these 28SMD jobbies of ebay would make a more usable beam pattern.

I know they wont be as bright, but not sure is that matters as much as the throw wont be as far either.

Anyone tried it, if not, when mine arrive, Ill report back, cos ive just ordered a pair for a pricly sum for £1.20, decided its worth a punt in 3 weeks when they get here from hong kong

Sounds good to me, which ones you trying?

Are they a H1 fitting. Also interested for my rear work lights.

Been there, done that!

And ..........

I just stick a set of daylighters up front, never need anything else then! Even a set of Hella 3000's up front are more than enough


Last year I did have a bit of overkill with two sets of daylighter 150's on the roof plus a set of daylighter 8000 HID's on the front night time never looked more like noon

auf_wiedersehen_pet said:

Been there, done that!

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kes86 said:

And ..........

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Total crap. Badly made, feeble light output. "Bulbs" are random lengths so the focal length is out.

I think pukka LED light units will be fine but putting LEDs into standard lights (except sidelights) is a no go IMHO.

auf_wiedersehen_pet said:

Total crap. Badly made, feeble light output. "Bulbs" are random lengths so the focal length is out.

I think pukka LED light units will be fine but putting LEDs into standard lights (except sidelights) is a no go IMHO.

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Yep. Thought you may say that. I like the idea of the low battery drain on LED lamps, so that I can use my work lights without the engine running. But there are some nice Durite units which are 4 or 6 led and would fit the bill much better than poor retro fit bulbs with no light output.

Shame though as my back work lights are the pukka Hella ones with the handle on top. The new LED versions look quite different I guess to allow the heat out.

I know the focal length will be to pot, which is what im after tbh, a wider beam. if it doesnt work, Ill have a look at other options.

B5UT 2Pcs 26 LED H3-SMD 3528 SMD 12V 3W Bulb Head Light White Headlight | eBay

these are the ones I bought, figures 1.20 is worth a punt, if they are total carp ill dissasemble them and use the boardsa for somthing else/

timtheenchanteruk said:

I know the focal length will be to pot, which is what im after tbh, a wider beam. if it doesnt work, Ill have a look at other options.

B5UT 2Pcs 26 LED H3-SMD 3528 SMD 12V 3W Bulb Head Light White Headlight | eBay

these are the ones I bought, figures 1.20 is worth a punt, if they are total carp ill dissasemble them and use the boardsa for somthing else/

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Ditto ... Well worth a try for the cost.

If they are any good I'll get some too.

What lights have you got now tim? It's the lens and reflector controlling the beam,

Changing the bulb might alter the intensity and or colour but not where it shines.

I have 4x ring spots on my cage, glass lens ones 130w bulb in each I think now than bright enough

some ebay specials,
Lens and reflectors do control the beam, but so does the position of the source of light relative to them

LED lamps arrived today, look smart, slightly larger than the standard bulb, but very cheap (£3 for 2 pairs!). Fitted perfectly, lit up perfectly, they just work, as lamps should.

However, bearing in mind this is in daylight, the light output looks ****e compared to the other two standard spots .. OK, it's a nice LED 'bluey white' colour, but it just doesn't look bright enough for a spot. I'll try 'em again tonight when it gets dark and post back .. not expecting much for the price, but even if they are crap I reckon it was still worth a try.

I suspect, even so, that they're going to come in useful for maybe a short-distance work lamp, but not really for a 'proper' spot or flood light, but we'll see in the dark .. hopefully!!

How are they then Paul?

my roof bar just seems to light up my bonnet and windscreen

Forgot to post last night .. Yeah, pretty poor really!

You can see they're on, but for illuminating hedges and stuff when green laning at night I'd say they'll be useless, compared to the standard lamps. Didn't get a chance to drive it in the dark, just tried them in the yard.

still waiting on mine :/

Naytdawg said:

my roof bar just seems to light up my bonnet and windscreen

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I have the same issue, thinking of fixing some small plates underneath the lampts ( mine are rectagle) to stop the beam hitting the bonnet, just long enough so the beam skimms the edge of the bonnet.

my lamps arrived this morning, not had chance to do anything with em yet, tho ive also seen some Cree 3W led H3s, might order a couple of them next payday, they were about a fiver for a pair. might increse the range, but still have a decent spread.