Need Advice on LED headlight upgrade

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ShizakiSD
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Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2017 7:03 pm
Location: San Diego CA

Hello All. I have a 2011 Kizashi and I recently purchased a set of 72 watt Broview LED Headlights. I was told that is too much for my car. Has anyone had experience with this? Anybody who is mechanically inclined, your advice is appreciated!
Ryan
BLyons
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Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 12:22 am

12,000 lumens seems like too much for low beams on any vehicle. The Morimoto HIDs are 3800 lumens. I'm not sure if that's per bulb or in total, but it's still significantly less and is plenty bright.
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KuroNekko
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Location: California, USA

It's not the lumens so much as the wattage and the heat that is of concern. 72W is overdriving any sort of OE headlight system. Even if the LED bulbs can handle it and the cooling system of the bulbs provide adequate cooling for the bulb, something this intense can damage the headlight. You can risk melting housings and wires in addition to a possible risk of fire.
Consider that most LED kits are designed to run somewhere in the 20~25W range. After all, one of the benefits of LEDs is power efficiency. HID systems are designed to be 35W and while some are 55W, these are also know to potentially damage headlights. You can see why I'd be concerned about 72W.

I think these bulbs are getting mis-marketed. They aren't really suitable for street use given the lumen output, but more over, the power. About the only application I'd use something this powerful is for externally-mounted driving lights for offroad vehicles and rally cars.

Lastly, I want to say that having super high lumen output isn't always a good thing. When lights are too bright (especially up close), the light can wash over details and other colors. In essence, it gets too bright to see crucial details. 12,000 lumens sounds like too much unless it's for a long-range offroad light or search light.
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Woodie
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I'd be concerned about trying to pull 72 watts through wiring designed for 55. One of the most common failures on Suzuki Swifts is the headlight wiring failing to keep up with 55 watts after ten years. Maybe they've learned that lesson and design a bit more capacity in there now, but there's no way I'd increase the load that much without rewiring with relays.
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