Adding driving lights to E-450 (UPDATE)
My coach is a 2008 E-450 Interested in adding driving lights , recommendations or experiences wanted.
Forum Discussion
I have the Aux Lights Mex posted above, in the spot beam pattern, rather than flood, that come on with my high beams, which are the 6054 5"x7" sealed beam of yesteryear. GE nighthawks.
Before I bypassed the headlight switch with thicker wires and relays, I had silvania sealed beams and the GE light distribution is way better. I was getting nearly 3 volts drop over the stock wiring, and upgrading the wiring for less than 0.3v drop, was good for at least 30% extra brightness.
The Cree spotlights mex posted, well the ones I bought needed some loving. The endcaps were not installed very well, the Orings on the bolts were dry and preventing the bolts from bottoming out and sealing the ends. Pretty easy to remedy though with some silicone grease and a hex driver. I was also not so impressed with the location of the LED emitters withing the reflector housing, but the beam is fairly concentrated in about a 7 foot diameter at 85 feet. Their Aim is extremely important.
I find with the halogen yellowish high beams and the whitish blue of the LEDs leaves some weird contrast issues, but there is a lot of light on the road when I do ask for the high beams.
I have issues with glare from other vehicles, even new models whose LEDs or projectors are designed around the LED or HID light source, and not just the widespread illegal drop ins. Even halogen projectors, since so much light is forced out of a smaller aperture, is dazzling/blinding, if ones eyes are in its path.
An old stone shipped and pitted windshield is also a big hindrance.
Many of the illegal LED bulbs in halogen reflectors have such poor light distribution, my highbeams with the Cree assist allow me to show my displeasure at their choice of forward lighting.
Glare to oncoming drivers, and adequate ability to see the road ahead will always be at odds, but so many of the LEd drop in kits have such poor light distribution in so many vehicles, it is dangerous to everybody on the road, even the person behind the glare.
Before I bypassed the headlight switch with thicker wires and relays, I had silvania sealed beams and the GE light distribution is way better. I was getting nearly 3 volts drop over the stock wiring, and upgrading the wiring for less than 0.3v drop, was good for at least 30% extra brightness.
The Cree spotlights mex posted, well the ones I bought needed some loving. The endcaps were not installed very well, the Orings on the bolts were dry and preventing the bolts from bottoming out and sealing the ends. Pretty easy to remedy though with some silicone grease and a hex driver. I was also not so impressed with the location of the LED emitters withing the reflector housing, but the beam is fairly concentrated in about a 7 foot diameter at 85 feet. Their Aim is extremely important.
I find with the halogen yellowish high beams and the whitish blue of the LEDs leaves some weird contrast issues, but there is a lot of light on the road when I do ask for the high beams.
I have issues with glare from other vehicles, even new models whose LEDs or projectors are designed around the LED or HID light source, and not just the widespread illegal drop ins. Even halogen projectors, since so much light is forced out of a smaller aperture, is dazzling/blinding, if ones eyes are in its path.
An old stone shipped and pitted windshield is also a big hindrance.
Many of the illegal LED bulbs in halogen reflectors have such poor light distribution, my highbeams with the Cree assist allow me to show my displeasure at their choice of forward lighting.
Glare to oncoming drivers, and adequate ability to see the road ahead will always be at odds, but so many of the LEd drop in kits have such poor light distribution in so many vehicles, it is dangerous to everybody on the road, even the person behind the glare.
