headlight lens w/o fluting (ribs)

[e34john]

^^^
hahaha

[T Verdier]

LOL

[tjts1]

HAHA wow I didn't realize this thread was still around. I still haven't done anything with these headlights because DUH! they don't fit my E30. I took the whole thing apart and played around with the idea of maybe fitting LED bulbs. I disassembled the whole unit.


Busted out my trusty $2 21 LED flash light.


And shined the flashlight at the back of the lens and cut off shield against a wall 8' away just to see what would happen.


And to make a point that the position and size of the light source inside a projector is completely irrelevant so long as you get rid of the reflector.


Dim but still the exact same beam pattern.


So in theory I could build a reflector-less headlight with an array of LEDs set up in a tight pattern on a flat heat sink at the back of the headlights. Say ten 140 lumen LEDs?

http://www.luxeonstar.com/luxeon-rebel-led-neutral-white-lambertian-145-lm-700ma-p-172.php

Then again, I have a life. So I bought these smilies on Ebay in the UK.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=320315643478

I'll flip the shields around for US patter, install some clear lenses, drop in a HID kit and call it a day.
cheers

[Fidhle007]

Ten 140 lumen LEDs would only be 1400 lumens, and I'm not sure they even measure that way. Most headlights are double or triple that, or if you have 55w HIDs, quadruple.

[tjts1]

Ten 140 lumen LEDs would only be 1400 lumens, and I'm not sure they even measure that way. Most headlights are double or triple that, or if you have 55w HIDs, quadruple.

Any halogen or HID bulb mounted inside a projector will waste at least half of its light output behind the cut off shield. A 9006 bulb (the original bulb used in this projector) outputs 1000 lumen or about 500 lumen on the road. A D2S bulb 3200 lumen or 1600 on the road. These LEDs already have a very narrow beam output to be aimed directly at the opening above the cut off shield so by my estimate at least 2/3 of the light escapes the headlight. Either way, its too moot point. My goal wasn't to create some kind of uber bright headlight to dazzle all other driver. The goal was to make a headlight that consumes less power while providing a clean beam pattern without any of the rainbow effect around the cut off shield associated with the the reflector.
cheers

[robspeed325i]

why on God's green earth would you smoke headlight lenses?

[cferb]

why on God's green earth would you smoke headlight lenses?

I think they mean the reflector.

Am I the only one that likes the ribs better? They look cheap with smooth lenses

[E30_pilot]

Am I the only one that likes the ribs better? They look cheap with smooth lenses

i am with you on this one man.

[///M42 sport]

Here is a fluteless photo

[E30_Pare]

I want to make my fogs fluteless. I think it would look cool...

[robspeed325i]

oy vey... thats called a driving light...

[tjts1]

Also discovered that the DOT reflector and beam pattern on the DOT projector is a hell of a lot nicer than smileys. I'll try and get some beam pattern shots soon.

[tjts1]

Finally got some beam pattern pics. Stock DOT projector, clear lenses, 9005 bulbs.

[gearheadE30]

How is that better than smileys? Light output appears similar; but its tough to tell from pics coming from different cameras.

[tjts1]

Nothing wrong with smileys except every set I've seen is either rusty, dull, dented or all of the above. And I don't like the beam pattern they make. If you look any any modern projector made in the last 5 years, the beam patter looks much more like the DOT projector with clear lens than ecode smileys. The only reason to go for smileys if you like the look. I might find a way to install these DOT projectors or or a modern high/low projector + cheap HID kit into my smiley housings with clear lenses. To be continued.