How important is HEAT from your headlamp?

christopher · Oct 4, 2017

Been looking at some of the LED conversion kits for the main lights, and the thought dawned on me that while the LED puts out great light, it also puts out a LOT less thermal heat. Heat that might play a role in keeping SOME of the snow/ice off the headlight lens?

Anyone moved over to pure LED and have any insight to offer?

summ8rmk · Oct 4, 2017

Axys has had LED since 2015? In the rush and 2016 PRO RMK.
2018 Mountain Cat has LED and people have had them since April?

Mountain Cat

summ8rmk · Oct 4, 2017

I put some LED on my small trailer and the front bulbs will not melt the snow. Incandescent still do.

Mountain Cat

christopher · Oct 4, 2017

summ8rmk said:
I put some LED on my small trailer and the front bulbs will not melt the snow. Incandescent still do.

Mountain Cat

And that is the crux of my question.
Do we NEED the heat?
Does it really play any role any more?

summ8rmk · Oct 4, 2017

I would ask that question in the Polaris Axys section.
I have not heard of any complaints.
I don't think it is an issue on the front of a snowmobile unless ur ridding in Single digits or less, then i think ur lights will be the last of ur worries.....

Mountain Cat

bmiller · Oct 4, 2017

If no heat from led then snow shouldn't stick so no need to melt. Taillights are different story because of vortex at back of trailer or sled.

christopher · Oct 4, 2017

bmiller said:
If no heat from led then snow shouldn't stick so no need to melt. Taillights are different story because of vortex at back of trailer or sled.

You don't think you would just pick up constant "Frost" on the lens?

bubblyjock · Oct 4, 2017

I had LED's in the headlights of my '15 T3 all last year and had no problems with a build-up of ice or snow.

yosh30 · Oct 5, 2017

christopher said:
You don't think you would just pick up constant "Frost" on the lens?

What headlight part# for the g4? Cheap and easy to try out

Surly1 · Oct 5, 2017

LEDs do put off heat, and lots of it. Only in low current and voltage applications are they not hot, like a trailer light. The headlights you show above have a fan to help dissipate the heat. The LEDs in headlights are massively overdriven, so they need something to get rid of the heat they produce. From what I have heard, stay away from the fan type units, as they fail in sled applications (too much moisture), and when they fail they get really hot and melt/burn things down. They do make some with passive cooling elements, looks like braided cable on the backside; and those are the ones to use.

Personally, I have not switched to LEDs in the head light, as I don't care for the light profile that gets emitted from them. The headlight Doo uses has reflectors engineered for halogen light not for a very strong and direct light from an LED. Although some people love them.

Rotax_Kid · Oct 5, 2017

christopher said:
You don't think you would just pick up constant "Frost" on the lens?

Clutch heat keeps them defrosted...hehe

fishstick · Oct 5, 2017

I switched to LED in my truck. Massive difference. Was hoping to do the same in the sled. He new LED's are waterproof, id assume the moisture would not be a issue.
So many options on LED's just don't know what one to go with. Amazon is full or different ones. Cheap to expensive.

Snow4life · Oct 5, 2017

I put some LED bulbs in, if nothing else they look nicer.

christopher · Oct 5, 2017

Snow4life said:
I put some LED bulbs in, if nothing else they look nicer.

No arguments on "LOOKS"..

mountainhorse · Oct 5, 2017

The 850's have a DC Lighting circuit?

.

mountainhorse · Oct 5, 2017

For powersports... the ones without fans (below) , IMO, would be the best... they use a copper ribbon to dissipate heat.

Brightest these days use the Cree XHP70 emitters.

Anyone running LED's in the G4 without electric start?

.

.

sledhead_24_7 · Oct 5, 2017

The hood is covered in snow all day anyway. Can’t see the headlights anyway

Sage Crusher · Oct 5, 2017

christopher said:
No arguments on "LOOKS"..

Chris- all my Axys we run together- have no issues with the LED lighting- snow doesn't accumulate like on the 11-14 Pro's lamps-- I even did a perforated blackout on my lamp covers and the LED shines bright and no sticky snow on the Axy's Models...
Didn't mean to enter the dark side- but thought this would help ya'all make a consensus decision... Sure way bright even in flat light riding... BONUS!!

Rotax_Kid · Oct 6, 2017

Christopher,

I've used PIAA's in my sleds over the past 10-15 years. Noticable difference from the stock halogens. Not quite as bright as the LEDs but cut snow dust a bit better and are a simpler, cleaner install.

Calvin42 · Oct 6, 2017

H13 I believe is the part number to switch to LED's in the Doo G4. Think I'm gonna go that direction as well. Never had any issues with my AXYS

How important is HEAT from your headlamp?

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