(The Art of) Retrofitting a reflector headlight housing designed for Halogen Bulbs with LED bulbs

[AVOIT17]

This is an old topic that seem afflicted with misinformation - in part due to the evolution of knowledge and technology of retrofitting LED bulbs in reflector housing that were designed for halogen bulbs. The fact is - regarding such conversions - what was true a few years ago is incorrect today.

Please note that retrofitting LED bulbs in reflector housing that were designed for halogen bulbs - simply means to replace the halogen bulb in your Volvo's headlight housing with a LED Bulb. Which is the simplest headlight retrofit that can lead to better visibility when driving in the dark. If your Volvo does not have HID Headlights than it has Halogen bulbs - and the type of housing for these bulbs are termed "reflector".

For the most part, the problem with these retrofits has been on one hand, one of combability issue due to a difference in the electric-power needs between LED Bulbs and Halogen Bulbs.

To begin with, typically LED bulbs draw much less power than the OE Halogen Bulbs. Computerized cars have what is defined as CANBUS - short for 'Controller Area Network Bus' - and in newer cars the CANBUS communicate in someway as a response to the lower current-draw from the LED's a 'Bulb Failure' message to the driver.

Secondly - LED Bulbs require a constant Voltage - and some vehicle manufacturers have engineered headlights systems where the voltage may not be always constant for various reasons. The effect of a fluctuating voltage makes LED flickers.

Both of these issues are solved together with a LED HEADLIGHT DECODER/CANBUS MODULE - a solution that has been around for many years now. But Today these DECODER/CANBUS MODULEs are built-in the LED Bulbs and there is no need to install an external modules like we used to, not very long ago.

On the other hand the problem with retrofitting LED bulbs in reflector housing that is designed for halogen bulbs is in a change of projected 'light-pattern' in front of the car. This issue is experienced as the light from an LED Bulb not focusing properly as would an Halogen Bulb and instead scattering in unwanted directions. This is a serious issue as it involves blinding the incoming traffic. An this issue lead many to believe that the only way to retrofit a vehicle with LEDs was to also replace the headlight housing with a 'Projector Unit' such as the housing used for HID headlights.

Since many have been willing to pay the $700 to well over a thousand dollars, for such conversions - we now have on the market headlight housings specifically designed for LED Bulbs. That seem ideal BUT the cost difference between installing a LED Bulb in the existing OE housing designed for a halogen bulb VERSUS replacing the housing + the LED Bulb is too great for the majority of those who want to see better at night when driving with halogen headlights.

Most of the misinformation revolves around the idea that retrofitting LED bulbs in reflector housing that is designed for halogen bulbs is inescapably faulty - because the housing was designed for a different type of light-output and therefore it will always scatter the light from a LED Bulb. This belief is incorrect and misleading.

Many years ago, the manufacturers of aftermarket LED Bulbs for headlights started working towards designing bulbs that would function like an Halogen bulb in a reflector housing designed for such bulbs. An they have succeed at doing this. Today all quality after-market LED headlight bulbs can project the same light pattern as an halogen bulb from a housing designed for halogen bulbs.

HOWEVER for a LED Bulb to function as such, it must be installed correctly. The LED emitters must be oriented in a specific direction to produce the perfect beam-pattern. A decent LED Bulb is designed with the means to rotate it in place and lock-it in a position – usually via a set-screw. Before purchasing a bulb – always verify that it is designed to be adjustable this way.


See this video:




Beside orienting properly a LED Bulb during a retrofit – such a job is not finished until both headlight housings have been properly aligned. here I am talking about your basic headlight alignment, which needs to be performed not matter what type of headlight your vehicle has. This is the final step in the process of assuring that the new light source is optimally set for your benefit and to the best interest of the incoming traffic.

The Volvo’s I have own - ranging in model-year from 2007 to 2011 - have headlight housing that are great for such retrofits. The housing are roomy, and easily removed from the car. They are also easy to adjust.

Shopping for LED Bulbs can be overwhelming. On Amazon 99% of the seller absurdly exaggerates the light output specs.. I found that the best spec. to evaluate the general output of a Bulb is its wattage. The highest wattage bulbs are usually the brightest. Anyway the only way to judiciously choose a bulb is to refer to the data from those who properly test these bulbs.

See the following links for that:

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event= ... htspecs%2F


https://www.bulbfacts.com/led-kits/chart/

The cheapest bulbs almost never lead to an improvement – to maximize the upgrade results one has to spend in the range of $70 to $150 for a pair of Bulbs. To this there are rare exceptions.

I Hope this info may helps to see better at night within a reasonable budget range!

[MoVolvos]

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The video is only 1 year old. This June, purchased another set of LED's for our 03 Honda Odyssey. It came with a detachable base for ease of installation. After installing the base you slide the bulb / body in and twist lock. You can't turn to adjust them like the older bulbs. The industry may have self regulated in order not to produce LED's that blind or not illuminate the road.
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KAC CSP H4 9003 LED Headlight Kit High Low Beam 6000K White Light Bulbs Fanless US $12.21.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403242064049
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[matthew1]

This is an old topic that seem afflicted with misinformation - in part due to the evolution of knowledge and technology of retrofitting LED bulbs in reflector housing that were designed for halogen bulbs. The fact is - regarding such conversions - what was true a few years ago is incorrect today.

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Your entire post is very enlightening. Thank you AVOIT17.

[AVOIT17]

matthew1 Your thanks are much appreciated - Best 2U