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-   -   **Attn Light Cannon Owners** Upgrade to version 2.0!! (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-general/2435373-attn-light-cannon-owners-upgrade-to-version-2-0-a.html)

TheRadioFlyer97 09-27-2009 09:59 PM

**Attn Light Cannon Owners** Upgrade to version 2.0!!
 
Going on feedback from the first generation of light cannon headlights, I decided to re-design one of the key componets of the lights. In a projector headlight, the cutoff shield is what produces the pattern associated with high-end optics. While the shields in the light cannons did the job of limiting vertical output, I did see room for improvement.


The biggest concern was the fading cutoff on the edges. This is caused by the flat cutoff shield in the projector. Light bouncing off the reflector bowl hits the shield at different distances resulting in a faded cutoff. By curving the shield away from the reflector, the cutoff is sharpened and the projector produces a wider pattern.

The second concern was long distance viewing. The wide "step" of the hella modules limits the intensity of the hot-spot at the center of the pattern. Modifying the step to be narrower and taller gives exceptional down-road vision without causing exceessive glare to oncoming traffic.

Picture data: All pictures were using the same projector, bulb and camera. 6000K 35w HID, Canon SD990.

This is the output of the original light cannons (~15ft)

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t.../IMG_0957a.jpg

And with the modified shield installed:

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t.../IMG_0959a.jpg

More pictures of the output:
Distance: ~30'
http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_0961.jpg

Distance: ~50' (on fence to show width)
http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_0963.jpg


Those of you with light cannons can swap out your flat cutoff shields for the custom curved ones. Each shield is waterjet cut for consistant precision, hand bent and tested for accuracy.

In addition, I'm also offering the 55w Slim ballast kits included with the Light Cannon 2.0. The 55w kits offer ~50% more output thatn the 35w counterparts:

Here's a side-by-side comparison i pulled from another site:
http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...on55w3copy.jpg


Order the Complete Light cannon 2.0 upgrade Kit: $130 shipped

In order to get this discount on the 55w HID kits, I need to have 10 orders or more.

Lets get started. :cheers:

Black Out 09-27-2009 10:03 PM

Must say after upgrading to to the 55w kit it's definitely an improvement at night! You will not be disappointed after the upgrade!

c5mtl 09-28-2009 01:20 AM

i also moved to a 55watt low beam and a moved from 6000k to 4300k way more light....

TheDVS1 09-28-2009 02:25 AM

Thanks, George. So let me get this right - for 130 bucks we get a new pair of cutoff shields, 2 slim 55w ballasts and 2 4300k bulbs? I presume the new ballasts will connect to my LC v1.0 wiring harness too? :lurk:

clif 09-28-2009 07:15 AM

George,
I was thinking you sold me the new 2.0 light cannons, but my light patterns match the 1.0 version. Which did you actually sell me?

TheRadioFlyer97 09-28-2009 09:00 AM


Originally Posted by csdunaway (Post 1571641458)
George,
I was thinking you sold me the new 2.0 light cannons, but my light patterns match the 1.0 version. Which did you actually sell me?

You got the new harness design, but at the time I built your kit, the 55w kits and new cutoff shields were not available.


Originally Posted by TheDVS1 (Post 1571641046)
Thanks, George. So let me get this right - for 130 bucks we get a new pair of cutoff shields, 2 slim 55w ballasts and 2 4300k bulbs? I presume the new ballasts will connect to my LC v1.0 wiring harness too? :lurk:

Correct, except you can order any of the following HID colors as well:

3000K - golden yellow (excellent for fog and rain)
4300K - OEM white
6000K - white with hint of blue (most popular)
8000K - iceberg blue
12000K - bluish purple

Please note that the color of 55w Kits will be about 500K lower in appearance than the 35w counterparts due to the additional wattage.

If you ordered an additional HID kit (highs or fogs) You can upgrade those to 55w as well for an additional $100 per kit.

clif 09-28-2009 09:09 AM

Put me on the list for the new upgrade then!

TheRadioFlyer97 09-28-2009 09:22 AM

Official "2.0 upgrade" list:

1. Csdunaway

BenC5 09-28-2009 12:08 PM

Ok, I'm in but to clarify, please bear with me;

If I have 5000K bulbs, will I need to use new bulbs?

If I can keep the 5000K bulbs I have, the new 55W ballast will then drop the output to around 4500K AND be a bit brighter?

If so, EXCELLENT!

To summarize, I'll get;

1. New cutoff shields with instructions on how to change them

2. New ballasts which will increase my light output to 55W AND lower the Kelvin to around 4500K

QKSLVR Z 09-28-2009 12:52 PM


Originally Posted by TheRadioFlyer (Post 1571642007)

Please note that the color of 55w Kits will be about 500K lower in appearance than the 35w counterparts due to the additional wattage.
.

hey george,

i'm interested in the upgrade with 4300k.. so will the 55w kit make them 3800k? i'm trying to achieve the most output possible..

thanks again
:thumbs:

QKSLVR Z 09-28-2009 12:55 PM


Originally Posted by BenC5 (Post 1571643823)
Ok, I'm in but to clarify, please bear with me;

If I have 5000K bulbs, will I need to use new bulbs?

If I can keep the 5000K bulbs I have, the new 55W ballast will then drop the output to around 4500K AND be a bit brighter?

If so, EXCELLENT!

To summarize, I'll get;

1. New cutoff shields with instructions on how to change them

2. New ballasts which will increase my light output to 55W AND lower the Kelvin to around 4500K

:iagree: similar question... can i use my 4300k bulb now and just change the ballast? or is it a bulb and ballast upgrade?

Dominic Toretto 09-28-2009 01:00 PM

Is this one of your projects for your engineering degree George? I would think by now you would have already passed the class.

-Alex

BenC5 09-28-2009 01:05 PM

I originally had the 6000K bulbs and as JMc had tested out the 5000K bulbs as they were indeed brighter/put more light on the road, I bought 5000K's and have been happy with them.

If the new cutoff AND 55W is even better, then I'm in.

TheRadioFlyer97 09-28-2009 02:51 PM


Originally Posted by BenC5 (Post 1571643823)
Ok, I'm in but to clarify, please bear with me;

If I have 5000K bulbs, will I need to use new bulbs?
If I can keep the 5000K bulbs I have, the new 55W ballast will then drop the output to around 4500K AND be a bit brighter?

To summarize, I'll get;

1. New cutoff shields with instructions on how to change them

2. New ballasts which will increase my light output to 55W AND lower the Kelvin to around 4500K


Originally Posted by AlexSmith (Post 1571644427)
Is this one of your projects for your engineering degree George? I would think by now you would have already passed the class.

-Alex

The 55w comes with a ballast AND bulb The 55w bulbs are specifically designed for the higher wattage. You CAN run a 35w bulb on a 55w ballast, but the bulb life may be deacreased by as much as half.

The 500k drop in the 55w kits applies mostly to the bluer lights. 4300K will not be affected at all. 6000 will appear more like 5500k and 8000 will appear like 7500 K.

it's also important to remember that HID bulbs will color shift towards the blue over a period of about 10-100 hours of use with the most dramatic change in the first few hours. the 55w will eventually shift back to their "noted" color.

TheRadioFlyer97 09-28-2009 02:53 PM

Official "2.0 upgrade" list:

1. Csdunaway
2. Canyon Lake Corvette
3. QKSLVR Z
4. Ben C5

BenC5 09-28-2009 03:40 PM

Ok, thanks for the explanation.

I'm in for the 4300K setup.

Please let me know when/how to pay.

TheRadioFlyer97 09-29-2009 06:13 PM

GP update:

1. Csdunaway
2. Canyon Lake Corvette
3. QKSLVR Z
4. Ben C5[/QUOTE]
5. EG99hardtop (Hi-Low 55w HID)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

canyon lake corvette 09-30-2009 01:16 AM

great post George, cant wait to get em!

clif 09-30-2009 05:33 AM

Come on guys, we need FIVE more to sign up for this great and awesome deal!

BenC5 09-30-2009 09:47 AM

I almost can't imagine that my light cannons will be even better however, the new cutoff coupled with the 55W output, it will be WOWZA!

The name will need to also be updated to the "Light Howitzers"


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