LED 4x6 inch head lights H4656, H4651

[oil pan 4]

You can now get LED replacements for 4x6 inch head lights for older vehicles. OEM part numbers are H4656, H4651, 4651, 4652.
Looks like these are commonly made using 15 CREE LEDs that consume 3 watts each.
The ones I bought use 1.1 amp on low beam and 2.8 amps on high beam.

To use them as any kind of low beam that will be aimed at on coming traffic the beam will need to be pointed at the ground, 10 to 15 feet in front of the vehicle and the top of the light partially blocked off.
I think I will just use these as the high beams.

Its just like a big formless spot light.

I bought some 4x6 inch projector+H4 upgrade lights a few years ago but never used them because 3 years ago, the H4 LED selection was just too limited. Then I forgot about the project.

[oil pan 4]

By comparison some H4 halogen bulbs I have use 3.5 amps on low beam and 5.6 amps on high beam when powered up with just a fully charged 12 volt battery and not 14.4 volt normal battery charging voltage.

For me that would save over 5 amps on low beam (assuming the halogens draw more current with higher charging voltage).
Then save around 11 amps or more on high beam (old chevy trucks like mine use 2 head lights for low beam then all 4 head lights for high beam).
In both cases assuming the H4 LED replacement uses about 1 amp for low beam and 3 amps for high beam just as the LED 4x6 lamp used.

Also check out the wiki:
http://ecomodder.com/wiki/index.php/L.E.D_conversion

[GhostWolfGT]

I'd definitely use them for high beams. As far as low beams are concerned, try them and have someone drive by to see if they are too bright at proper level. Then work them down and towards the passenger side until they aren't.

[spacemanspif]

I need a link to where you found these. Been waiting for LEDs for my Monte for a while.

[oil pan 4]

Looks like I could use these 15 LED head lights as low beam but they have to be partially blocked and pointed right at the ground, I don't even know if the head light aiming adjustment can point them that far down.

I got the 4x6 LEDs off ebay. I just searched "H4656 LED" and they came up. These ones were $99, shipped. They can be had a little cheaper but I paid a few more $ to get the "Cree" LED lights.
You can get a set of 4 for a little less than 50 a pair. I got the pair because I wasn't convinced they would make good low beams.

About 2 years ago I searched "H4656 projector" or something to that effect and got those projectors with standard halogen H4 bulb (because there were no H4565 LEDs to be had), I figured I would just get an H4 LED, but 2 years ago the H4 LED selection wasn't that good.

I will post up some pics of the head lights as is pointed at something, then I plan on putting the LED high beams in this weekend and then post some halogen low/high beam + LED high beam pics.
I am pretty sure I will have to butcher the lower light pocket a little for the 15 LED high beams and butcher the upper head light pocket a lot to make the H4 LED fit in there.

[GhostWolfGT]

Ouch. For $60 I got 4 HID bulbs and ballasts. They are 35watts each.

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by GhostWolfGT

Ouch. For $60 I got 4 HID bulbs and ballasts. They are 35watts each.

but they're not LED. what is your energy consumption compared to these?

[oil pan 4]

With HID I am pretty sure you use less amps than a traditional halogen, but it also doesn't make as much light as an LED.

If I can get the LEDs to behave as low beams the power draw is going to be about 14 watts per lamp.

The projector head light housings with H4 halogen bulbs were around $40 when I bought them 2 years ago, the LED H4 replacements I just picked up were $68. I didn't get the cheapest ones out there. I specifically founds ones that had a large metal heat sink and did not have a ballast resistor.

Why, because I would like to be able to do more EOC with the head lights on. It wont be long before I leave to go to work before sun up and don't leave work till after its already dark.
I have found LEDs are a good answer to solving vehicle power generation and lighting issues. When I originally switched to LED tail and running lights one of the main reasons was because the factory style 1157 bulbs are dim, other drivers couldn't see them when I was driving into the sun rise or sun set, then having to stop, slow down or turn I had herd screeching tires behind me several times. Then at night while sitting at a stop light with my foot on the brake the combination of head lights, tail/brake lights and running lights was depleting the battery. Switching to LEDs saved at least 8 amps while my foot was on the brake, with lights on. That was enough to keep the system charging voltage above 13 volts while sitting at a stop light at night.
Instead of switching to a larger alternator I installed LEDs.
Then after almost backing into my old ladys car one night I added additional LED to the reverse light housing. The traditional 1156 reverse lights were kind of dim, the white 1156 LED replacements were very directional so I added a G4 LED array to the inside of my tail light housing.
DIY: Super bright reverse light mod for any 73-91 style tail light - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

[GhostWolfGT]

At 14.3v on 35w units my amp draw should be 2.44. If I'm calculating that correctly. 15LEDS at 3watts each is 45 watts. You would greatly refuse output to get to 15 watts per unit.

Don't get me wrong. I love LEDs and have replaced everything with them. But with HID you get 1 light source in a housing shaped for directional use. LEDs are tiny flood lights. 15 LEDs will just be a brighter flood light. It will look good but you might not be happy with the results as far as visibility goes.
But I've had older pickup trucks and the lights suck so it may be an upgrade. My power consumption may be a little more than yours but my output "where I want it" is 4 times yours. (4 is a made up number. It could be 2, it could be 6). If you could put those LEDs together behind a projector, you'd destroy my output.

I really do hope they work out for you and I want to see pictures. I may use these as fog/DRLs.

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

........
DIY: Super bright reverse light mod for any 73-91 style tail light - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

i actually responded to that thread when it was new. never did get around to putting it on the 93 but the 96 i completely rewired with led's.