led dome light

[marokero]

In the animation below you can see the difference between OEM and led lights:



I matched (more or less) the incandecent white balance from the OEM bulb, the led light I had to set my camera to 10000K. It doesn't look a whole lot brighter, but it is much cooler looking, and it spreads the light souce over a larger area, so it softens the light compared to a single point of light. But I wasn't done, I had to measure the actual ammount of light that was being put out. Here are the resulting exposure values, all measured using a Sekonic L-358 light meter:

At 4 inches away
OEM = f/2.5 and 1/60s @ ISO 200
LED = f/2.5 and 1/60s @ ISO 200

With light meter resting on the passenger seat, close to the parking brake:
OEM = f.1.1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800
LED = f/1.3 and 1/10s @ ISO 800

With light meter resting on the passenger seat, close to passenger door:
OEM = f/1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800
LED = f/1.1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800

If those numbers and terms don't make sense to you, look up in a book on photography to learn the terms. But if you just want the gist of it, there's very little difference in light output between the OEM bulb and the led one. The leds spread the nearly same ammount of light over a wider area, so it seems brighter overall. But since it's led, it will use much less energy, won't heat up nearly as much, and it just looks cool in the car Thanks Ben (from A&J Racing), the dome light gives a nice touch to the Fit's interior!

[aziatiklover]

wow thanks for the infos so I guess it just looks koo and wont heat up the headliner lol

[8251reefer]

Can you post a link for the light? Thanks

[marokero]

http://www.aj-racing.com/catalog/pro...2&cat=0&page=1

[kz098123]

Originally Posted by marokero

In the animation below you can see the difference between OEM and led lights:

[imghttp://www.marokero.com/Fit/comparison.gif[/img]

I matched (more or less) the incandecent white balance from the OEM bulb, the led light I had to set my camera to 10000K. It doesn't look a whole lot brighter, but it is much cooler looking, and it spreads the light souce over a larger area, so it softens the light compared to a single point of light. But I wasn't done, I had to measure the actual ammount of light that was being put out. Here are the resulting exposure values, all measured using a Sekonic L-358 light meter:

At 4 inches away
OEM = f/2.5 and 1/60s @ ISO 200
LED = f/2.5 and 1/60s @ ISO 200

With light meter resting on the passenger seat, close to the parking brake:
OEM = f.1.1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800
LED = f/1.3 and 1/10s @ ISO 800

With light meter resting on the passenger seat, close to passenger door:
OEM = f/1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800
LED = f/1.1 and 1/10s @ ISO 800

If those numbers and terms don't make sense to you, look up in a book on photography to learn the terms. But if you just want the gist of it, there's very little difference in light output between the OEM bulb and the led one. The leds spread the nearly same ammount of light over a wider area, so it seems brighter overall. But since it's led, it will use much less energy, won't heat up nearly as much, and it just looks cool in the car Thanks Ben (from A&J Racing), the dome light gives a nice touch to the Fit's interior!

Now THAT was a quality post. Comparative pictures and informative text! Nicely done.

Is the installation as easy as removing and replacing the old bulb with the new one? Or is there more to it?

[8251reefer]

thanks for the link!!

[andy23666]

Might need one of those since my dome light ALREADY burnt out lol

[marokero]

Thanks guys, the install was straight forward, just remove the old bulb, peel the adhesive backing behind the led board, make sure the black wire (negative side of the dummy bulb) is torwards the left side, and place everything in. If you can remove the cover of the dome light you CAN do the install There's reverse polarity protection, so don't worry if you put the dummy bulb the opposite way, you won't burn out the leds.

[sLiVeRwOrM]

awesome write up.. I still think that LED is still expensive..

[Jonniedee]

Originally Posted by marokero

If you can remove the cover of the dome light you CAN do the install T

How does the dome cover come off - it ain't in my owners manual...

[revs to 9]

it's got two little indents on the rear side that you can slide a flat head into and simply pop it off. the bulb just gets pulled out and place the other in. i just did mine a few days ago. 2 minutes total.

[JonasM]

If you're concerned about scratches, cover the end of the screwdriver with tape (masking or electrical).

JonasM

[Tomh]

i had found a cheap regular bulb taht worked for me, so far it's nice, not as bright as the oem, but definiately alot nicer looking.