LED projector headlight, can I remove the fan?

[Urbanengineer]

Hello members of Tom's Hardware.

Not sure who has experience with LED modifications here, but I am modifying a Chinese LED projector to work on my motorcycle as the stock halogen reflectors are very weak.

Well, the LED projector has a heat sink mounted fan that sits right in the area that retro fitters typically mount to. I am wondering if I can just remove the fan and get away with leaving no fan on the headlight. This headlight housing is vented through the bulb covers.

Here is the product. http://www.autokilight.com/product/60444928902-803014594/Autoki_2016_New_3_0inch_LED_Module_High_low_beam_Projector_lens_light.html

Here is the method I am using to mount the headlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Fa2ypV7GA&ab_channel=TheRetrofitSourceInc

If I can't just remove the fan, can I mount a fan somewhere in the headlight housing that isn't on the projector lens directly? I feel like you all know cooling of LEDs very well compared to an automotive forum.

Thanks, feel free to leave your tips or comments . i have also asked on a few other forums, so when I find the solution I will update you here.

 

[Snipergod87]

I would advise against doing this as the bulb is not going to be DOT approved, and the bulb will most likely scatter light everywhere including into oncoming traffics eyes like your high beams are on

 

[Urbanengineer]

I have photos of testing at home. This isn't your run of the mill LED bulb swap into a 6th gen civic. This is a focused LED projector that has a well defined cutoff shield. High beam is focused with a large hotspot directly downroad in front of the vehicle. Look at the link above, it is projector mounted, NOT one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/172378491083?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/

None of the products here are "DOT approved for aftermarket modification on your vehicle" but people have been retrofitting projectors into just about every vehicle since they started coming on expensive luxury cars in the early 2000s.

I assure you this is not my first retrofit, and I have no interest in blinding other motorists.

Thanks for the swift reply though .

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I actually found a relevant link on Toms Hardware you might be interested in: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-project,3795-8.html

This is not my solution to an LED upgrade. I am inserting a new projector built for the LED. Not just replacing a bulb like in the project car study.

 

[Snipergod87]

Looks like there is a decent sized heat sink for the LED bulb, which given airflow when moving should cool it enough, though the manufacturer would typically include the fan for a reason, but this appears to be more for a car (which will have less airflow behind the bulbs compared to a motorcycle). Unfortunately I cannot say either way if the fan will ultimately be necessary.

 

[Urbanengineer]

True, is there some sort of testing I can do to figure out if the cooling is necessary? What do people do in the PC world in terms of ambient cooling when direct cooling is not possible?

 

[Snipergod87]

I would say get a measurement for the temperature with the fan running, and another temperture reading without it running but with say a 20mph wind. However that may not be accurate as its final assembly may block airflow more than your test would. If the cooling is not adequate the LED bulb will burn out rather quickly, and while these aren't super cheap they aren't expensive either. The best test would be outfitting it on the bike and using it like normal, and see if the bulb dies out rather quickly.

 

[Urbanengineer]

Again, not a bulb, it is a soldered LED onto the projector. Once it is burned out, it is toast . That is my scare. If I could go with a smaller fan I think it would work out also.

 

[JeffDaemon]

I really don't understand why you are asking if you can remove the fan.. that's like asking if you can remove the fan from your pc. It will work.. until it overheats. You can't just delete your cooling solution without offering up another.