Installing LED headlight bulbs in projector headlights has become a popular upgrade for many vehicle owners. These bulbs are a cost-effective choice because they eliminate the need to replace the entire projector headlight system.
They’re also incredibly easy to install. Most LED replacement bulbs come with a plug-and-play design, requiring no modifications. In addition to convenience, LED bulbs deliver significantly brighter and longer-lasting illumination compared to traditional halogen bulbs.
That said, one common issue after installing LED bulbs in projector headlights is the appearance of dark spots. This blog will explore why these dark spots happen and provide effective solutions to fix the problem, helping you make the most of your LED upgrade.
What is Projector Headlights?
Main Components of Projector Headlight
Projector headlights are designed to use a lens to focus light into a brighter, more concentrated beam that reduces glare for other drivers. Here are some key components of projector headlights:
- Lens: The lens magnifies the light and directs it forward in a consistent beam pattern.
- Reflector: A specially shaped reflector helps focus the light.
- Cutoff Shield: The cutoff shield directs the light downward, toward the road, to avoid blinding other drivers.
- Bulb: The bulb is projector headlight is regarded as the key light source. It can be a halogen, HID (High-Intensity Discharge), or LED bulb.
Working Principle of Projector Headlights
The working principle of projector headlights is based on a precise and focused light beam produced through a combination of a light source, a lens, and a reflector.
When the bulb is powered on, it emits light that is first reflected off a specially shaped reflector. This reflector helps to direct the light toward the projector lens, which is the key element in focusing the light into a sharp, concentrated beam.
The lens magnifies and projects the light forward in a consistent pattern, ensuring that the beam remains focused and provides bright, clear illumination on the road ahead.
Why Dark Area Appears When Upgrading LED to Projector Headlight?
Reason 1: The Light-Emitting Space Too Thick (Main Reason)
When installing an LED bulb in a projector headlight, why do dark areas sometimes appear in the center of the beam? Many people speculate that this issue could be linked to the diffused light pattern typically produced by LED bulbs. Others believe the problem might arise from improper installation of the LED bulb.
In fact, the main reason for this dark area is that the spacing between the light-emitting position of LED headlight bulbs is too thick. This thick light-emitting diodes does not align with the thin, precise structure of halogen filaments, resulting in shadows or dark spots in the beam.
Reason 2: Improper Installation Methods
Misalignment or incorrect positioning of the LED bulb during installation can lead to uneven light output. Projector headlights are designed for precise light placement, and any deviation can result in dark spots or uneven illumination.
To install an LED headlight bulb correctly, ensure the LED chips (diodes) are positioned so that one set faces at “3 o’clock” on the clock face and the other set faces at “9 o’clock”
Other Reasons:
Dust in The Projector Headlight
Accumulated dust or debris inside the projector headlight can obstruct light, reducing brightness and creating dark patches. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help avoid this issue.
Inferior LED Headlight Bulbs (Light Decay)
Low-quality LED bulbs may suffer from rapid light decay, where the brightness diminishes unevenly across the bulb. This can lead to poor light distribution and visible dark spots in the beam.
Addressing these issues involves selecting high-quality LED bulbs with a well-designed light-emitting structure, ensuring proper installation, and maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of your headlight system.
How to Pick Good LED Headlamps for Projector To Avoid Dark Spots?
High Brightness
In low beam mode, the cut-off shield obstructs light from the lower part of the light source, preventing the projector from utilizing the full output of the bulb. This limitation means the light source in the projector must have a higher lumen output to achieve optimal brightness.
Thin Light-Emitting Space
When upgrading from a halogen bulb to an LED bulb in a projector headlight, a common issue is the appearance of a blind spot directly below the projected light. This occurs because the gap between the LED chips is too thick, and the beam angle on either side falls short of 180 degrees, creating a shadow in the light output.
1:1 Same Size As Halogen
Choosing an LED headlight bulb with a 1:1 size match to the halogen bulb is crucial for projector headlights. This ensures the LED aligns properly with the projector housing and reflector, maintaining the original beam pattern. A mismatched size can cause dark spots and improper beam alignment, leading to uneven light distribution and reduced visibility.
Best LED Headlight Bulb For Projector With No Dark Spots
NAOEVO GT6 LED Headlight Bulb
If you’re looking to upgrade to an LED headlight bulb that delivers a bright and uniform beam pattern in your projector headlight, we highly recommend the NAOEVO GT6 LED headlight bulb. As one of NAOEVO’s flagship products, the GT6 is specifically designed to provide an exceptional light beam pattern, making it a perfect choice for vehicles with projector headlight systems.
What sets the GT6 LED bulb apart is its 1.5mm (0.059 inches) ultra-thin light-emitting space, which greatly simulate the mini-size of halogen filament, eliminating dark spots and ensuring 360-degree full illumination. Additionally, it creates a sharp and clear cutoff line, which is crucial for projector headlights to avoid glare and maintain road safety.
Additionally, it creates a sharp and clear cutoff line, which is crucial for projector headlights to avoid glare and maintain road safety. The NAOEVO GT6 is engineered for maximum compatibility with projector systems, delivering superior brightness and beam control for an unparalleled driving experience.
WHAT MAKES GT6 LED STAND OUT ?
1.5MM ultra-thin light emitting space
360-degree full illumination for projector headlight
Luminous flux of 55W 6600LM, and 6500K color temperature
Directly plug-n-play, no additional modification
NAOEVO Smart Series LED Headlight Bulb
The NAOEVO Smart Series LED headlight bulbs feature a 1:1 mini design identical to your OEM bulbs, offering the same length and lighting position. This ensures a hassle-free plug-and-play installation without the need to modify the wiring harness or add a Canbus decoder, making them ideal for projector headlights.
What sets these mini-sized bulbs apart is their exceptional brightness. Equipped with six large flip chips, each bulb delivers 35W and 3800LM, outperforming most mini plug-and-play LED headlight bulbs on the market. Using NAOEVO smart LED headlight bulbs mean that drivers will enjoy upgraded visibility.
Worried about Canbus compatibility? The NAOEVO Smart Series uses advanced linear decoding technology, ensuring compatibility with 98% of vehicle models without requiring bulky Canbus drivers. This design also minimizes issues like dark spots, providing a clear and consistent light output for your projector headlights.
WHAT MAKES SMART SERIES STAND OUT ?
1:1 mini size for easy installation
35W 3800LM, high power LED bulb
Linear decoding without external driver
Wide and uniform light beam pattern
NAOEVO SAGA Series LED Headlight Bulb
Another top-tier LED headlight bulb for projector headlights is the NAOEVO Saga Series. These bulbs feature 12 pieces of 55MIL flip chips, delivering an impressive output of 100W and 12,000LM per bulb. Their 360-degree illumination ensures superior light projection in your projector headlights.
What truly makes the Saga Series stand out is its exceptional beam pattern. The unique chip alignment of the Saga LED headlight bulbs guarantees a wider, more uniform beam, perfect for projector headlights.
While high-power LED bulbs can often cause Canbus issues, the NAOEVO Saga Series incorporates advanced linear decoding technology, making them compatible with 98% of vehicle models, including sensitive ones like German and European cars.
With dual copper tubes designed to dissipate 40W of heat per cycle, the Saga LED headlight bulbs provide heat dissipation twice as fast as other high-power LED bulbs, ensuring reliable performance. We are confident the Saga LED headlight bulb will exceed your expectations.
Lighting Effect of SAGA LED Bulb
Notable Feature of SAGA
100W 12000LM ultra-high brightness
Wide and uniform beam pattern in projector, no dark area
6500K day-like white, high-end looking for your car
Triple cooling technologies for efficient heat dissipation
Linear decoding, fit 99% of vehicles
FQA
How To Install LED Headlight Bulb To Get Best Light Output in Projector?
A: As we mentioned above, projector headlight has a cut-off shield and halogen bulbs have full 360 degree light output, so they can deliver a full beam in projector. But for LED headlight bulbs, you need to install them properly, you need to rotate the bulb, making their chip faces 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, and you will get a perfect light beam pattern, otherwise, you will see dark area in the beam that will be unevenly distributed on the left and right sides.
Can a Non-360° LED Headlight Bulb Create Dark Spots in Projector Headlights?
A: When an LED chip is designed with two sides, a thick baseboard can limit light dispersion to less than 180° on each side. This causes blind spots in the light pattern projected through the lens. To address this issue, it’s recommended to use LED bulbs with a thin baseboard and 360°illumination, which are specifically designed to minimize blind spots. Alternatively, reinstalling the original halogen bulb can restore the intended light pattern.
Conclusion
Upgrading to LED bulbs in projector headlights can enhance brightness and longevity, but dark spots may arise due to factors like improper LED design or installation. To avoid these issues, choose LED bulbs with a thin baseboard, 360° illumination, and precise alignment. By understanding these factors and selecting the right bulbs, you can enjoy optimal lighting performance without compromising safety.
