Will the C7 have LED headlights.
02-03-2012, 01:52 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Will the C7 have LED headlights.
Okay here is what I have been thinking. I believe Audi was the first to use LED lights in the front headlight area. Since then I have seen them on Lexus, BMW, MB, Porshe and the Chrysler 300.
Do you think GM will hop on this trendy bandwagon and apply them to the C7?
Do you want to see them on the C7?
Are there any benifits to using LED in the front end?
For me they are gimmicky in regards to where they are used. For example, I saw a new C class MB that had a strip of four of them on the lower front fascia area and wondered if they were effective. It seems in place of round fog lights, they would be virtually useless.
Do you think GM will hop on this trendy bandwagon and apply them to the C7?
Do you want to see them on the C7?
Are there any benifits to using LED in the front end?
For me they are gimmicky in regards to where they are used. For example, I saw a new C class MB that had a strip of four of them on the lower front fascia area and wondered if they were effective. It seems in place of round fog lights, they would be virtually useless.
02-03-2012, 04:23 PM
#2
Okay here is what I have been thinking. I believe Audi was the first to use LED lights in the front headlight area. Since then I have seen them on Lexus, BMW, MB, Porshe and the Chrysler 300.
Do you think GM will hop on this trendy bandwagon and apply them to the C7?
Do you want to see them on the C7?
Are there any benifits to using LED in the front end?
For me they are gimmicky in regards to where they are used. For example, I saw a new C class MB that had a strip of four of them on the lower front fascia area and wondered if they were effective. It seems in place of round fog lights, they would be virtually useless.
Do you think GM will hop on this trendy bandwagon and apply them to the C7?
Do you want to see them on the C7?
Are there any benifits to using LED in the front end?
For me they are gimmicky in regards to where they are used. For example, I saw a new C class MB that had a strip of four of them on the lower front fascia area and wondered if they were effective. It seems in place of round fog lights, they would be virtually useless.
To me LED isn't for lighting up the road, but more about about making a car more visible in certain daytime lights.
And it could give a car a beautiful set of eyes
02-05-2012, 06:05 PM
#3
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Weston Florida
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope GM incorporates LED into their lighting scheme. There are some very tasteful and sexy examples on Audi, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc. to give GM some inspiration so they can raise the bar. Driving lights, brake lights, accent lighting, interior lighting - its all good.
LED lighting can really dress up a performance car - kinda like jewelry on a pretty woman.
LED lighting can really dress up a performance car - kinda like jewelry on a pretty woman.
02-05-2012, 10:05 PM
#6
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Weston Florida
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We can always hope.
02-05-2012, 10:35 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,450
Received 4,375 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
Yes for tail lights. Perhaps corner lights.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
02-06-2012, 02:54 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
Yes for tail lights. Perhaps corner lights.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
02-06-2012, 09:10 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
GM has experimented with LED headlights, as evident by the LED bars in the headlights of the SRX, CTS, ATS, and Escalade Platinum. The Escalade Platinum headlights are also completely powered by LEDs. They are certainly efficient lights, and last much longer than regular lights. I hope GM utilizes them for the C7.
02-06-2012, 10:42 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,450
Received 4,375 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
It is not that they can't be made to work, but they are why more complicated than a point source hot wire or arc with a parabolic reflector and pattern shaping lens. They may require active cooling to work well. Have you seen the cooling structure on a 100 watt equivilent of the household can light? Regular incandescents are not very bothered by high operating temperatures, LEDs are. It hampers their output and life.
02-07-2012, 09:13 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,450
Received 4,375 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
LEDS are well suited to certain tasks. Sometimes companies put in technology for technolgies sake, not for good rational engineering design reasons because it is the most appropriate solution.
02-08-2012, 06:24 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Yes for tail lights. Perhaps corner lights.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
For head lights they are not optimal. To get enough lumens you have to have a large die or multiple LEDs. This is not optimal for projecting a tight beam. Maybe with a lens system. Plus you need sharp cutoffs. Perhaps they will be a good solution someday. Maybe with multiple LEDs and an complex set or reflector and different lens on each you could get an interesting pattern.
Hey, I hear BMW is working on using LASERs, that could be interesting.
The biggest problem with LED headlights is heating the glass in front of them. This isn't an issue with laser, HID or halogen since they all project their heat forward through IR waves. LEDs project forward very little heat in comparison and (as mentioned) the heat builds up behind the LED requiring an active cooling system.
The reason why this is a problem is because the heat from the headlights helps and effectively removes frost from the headlights naturally.
I've been doing testing with 60 watt LEDs to see if I can build LED headlights for the C5s. It turns out that the heating issue would be a big one for anyone anywhere that the lights may frost up while driving or on the driveway.
However, the LEDs definitely put out more light than HIDs. My single LED chip puts out approx 4200 Lumens; considerably more than a 55w HID putting out 3200 Lumens. And these are far more durable as far as powering up/down, vibration and power flux.
The hardest part has been designing a housing for them. But I believe that if you actively heat the front lens with the heat generated by the LEDs, they could be a very good option.
It is not that they can't be made to work, but they are why more complicated than a point source hot wire or arc with a parabolic reflector and pattern shaping lens. They may require active cooling to work well. Have you seen the cooling structure on a 100 watt equivilent of the household can light? Regular incandescents are not very bothered by high operating temperatures, LEDs are. It hampers their output and life.
This was my first test with the LED chip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYW_az9pSwM
Last edited by SCM_Crash; 02-08-2012 at 06:27 PM.
02-08-2012, 10:56 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,450
Received 4,375 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
I found so more detailed information on the Escalade LED headlamp assembly. It is interesting, but complex. Claims to be the first LED headlight assembly in the US that uses LEDs for both High Beam and Low Beam.
This the article: http://blogs.motortrend.com/blinded-...ogen-2069.html
Highlights: Low beam requires 5 lamps (each side) that each have a different pattern to get the right total pattern, and 2 lamps for the high beam to get the right pattern. Expected replacement cost? $1500 each. Requires active cooling of the headlamps. Good news is that the cooling fan is replaceable. Power draw is less than Halogen and more than HID. Color temp is 6000K.
Are you sure you want LEDs right now?
This the article: http://blogs.motortrend.com/blinded-...ogen-2069.html
Highlights: Low beam requires 5 lamps (each side) that each have a different pattern to get the right total pattern, and 2 lamps for the high beam to get the right pattern. Expected replacement cost? $1500 each. Requires active cooling of the headlamps. Good news is that the cooling fan is replaceable. Power draw is less than Halogen and more than HID. Color temp is 6000K.
Are you sure you want LEDs right now?
02-09-2012, 08:07 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
In parts, I can do it for about $400 for BOTH sides as far as low beams go. I haven't tested the 100 watt LEDs I want to use for the high beams yet. $1500 is just BS GM pricing.
Looking at how they're cooling the lights and heating the front glass, it looks EXACTLY like what I'd planned to do.
Looking at how they're cooling the lights and heating the front glass, it looks EXACTLY like what I'd planned to do.
02-09-2012, 01:18 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,450
Received 4,375 Likes
on
2,066 Posts
In parts, I can do it for about $400 for BOTH sides as far as low beams go. I haven't tested the 100 watt LEDs I want to use for the high beams yet. $1500 is just BS GM pricing.
Looking at how they're cooling the lights and heating the front glass, it looks EXACTLY like what I'd planned to do.
Looking at how they're cooling the lights and heating the front glass, it looks EXACTLY like what I'd planned to do.
02-09-2012, 04:16 PM
#20
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2010
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course it will, even Kia's have them now 
I just hope GM is not behind (in typical GM fashion) and puts on the LED's that were in style a few years ago (far apart) and makes them closer or one piece giving the car a sexier look.
I just hope GM is not behind (in typical GM fashion) and puts on the LED's that were in style a few years ago (far apart) and makes them closer or one piece giving the car a sexier look.
