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Jeep LED lights heated?

8K views 71 replies 42 participants last post by  ArgentJeeper 
#1 ·
So what is the deal with the new 2017 Jeep LED headlights? I know the performance and visibility seems to be really an improvement. But, are the lights heated at all? Ask of course, cause get pretty good winters here. Not really good to have snow/ice sticking to your headlights.
 
#7 ·
Just got my 2017 Rubicon, and the lights are not heated. They generate a tiny bit of heat but nothing like a halogen. I'm curious how they'll perform in the winter...
You mean like this (T-L non-heated)


I wouldn't hold out much hope, I have not seen any mention of them being heated anywhere. In all my readings researching lights, Truck-lites have been the only exception I have found.
Yup

Well, I guess that makes Jeeps with LED headlights in the same boat as when the top is off your Jeep. You are not driving it in snowy weather.
Well any other than the TL heated, I would agree.



I wonder how many recalls or lawsuits they are going to have following winter.
 
#8 ·
^ Yes, especially if they are not telling customers, no warning label. People ordering 2017s with LED lights, then finding out they do not work in winter conditions. Major safety issue. And could be a major lawsuit, when some soccer mom gets killed driving her new Jeep to the PTA meeting some winter night-- God forbid.
 
#12 ·
I really doubt if most even understand or consider that. To be honest, until reading some thread on here, it did not really register or cross my mind. Hec, my father has a PhD, use to work as an electrician, and spent 35 years teaching electronics and auto shop for a high school. I brought up the heated LED lights issue with him, regarding winter driving, and his response was as well, "hey, never thought of that. Dang, that is right!".

I think most look at LED headlights as the benefit for reduced energy draw, longer bulb life and the improved "white" light/viewing distance/radius. Them not being heated and how that could affect winter driving conditions is probably not registering. I doubt most dealers are even realizing this or bringing it up when they are ordering 2017s for their lot or for customers.
 
#14 ·
^I think if one was living in AZ, or any southern state, then the LED are a must.

But, if you live in snow country, then it is an issue and a choice between which is better.

Need to research these Truck Lite heated LED lights more so. Anyone have a link to some good reviews with photos showing the beam?
 
#22 ·
Guesses and assumptions. We got a little wet snow the other morning but nothing stuck. I think it's a misconception considering a lot of OEMs have LEDs and you don't see them coming out with heated versions to fix an issue.
 
#19 ·
#38 ·
Brush off every ~20 minutes or so if it's really bad. I'm going to try some of the rain-x for plastics this year.
Didn't work for me. 2 days prior to the storm I put it on




I had EVERY light on my Jeep "ON" LED HL's, the Light bar and Both Cubes and I might as well have been using a match to see by.
It's not whether others can see you, It's Not being able to see.
The ^ pic was before I got the 50". I had the pillars and stock fogs on, while I was driving I noticed that the lights were lighting up higher and higher. It got to the point that it looked like I had high beams on. The snow flakes were reflecting back at me, same scenario as driving in fog with high beams. The snow covering the lens had turned into like a house bulb the lights up everywhere evenly bypassing the design of the reflector of the standard low wide beam. Luckily I had not replaced the fog lams with the LEDs, It got so bad that the lil bit of light from the fogs was the only thing I could use to see. I had to drive about 5 miles before I could pull over to wipe them off. Then ordered the TL heated.


I wonder if a snow covered LED headlight is comparable to a clean halogen headlight?QUOTE]

they suk, see above

Are led headlights from any other auto manufacturer heated? Sounds what one needs to do is brush off the snow from the headlights when brushing your windshield.
Brush them off while driving? I don't think they have a trunk monkey for that. The issue is while driving the snow builds up.
 
#25 ·
To those who say, "Wipe them Off"....It's NOT that simple.

Of course if you are out on a trail, that's fine. Stop and wipe them off BUT

When YOU are the only one on the Highway having this issue and people are flying by you 4 lanes doing 60+ mph even in a snow storm - Try not getting killed wiping off your headlights every 2-3 miles. Not a great situation.

Yes for those who went after market on the LED's it was their choice and they can remove them as well BUT when a vehicle comes with HL's that DO NOT work in snow/ice - that is a problem.

It's not like they bought a Corvette and now are surprised it won't drive good in the snow - this is a Jeep. There are certain reasonable expectations.
 
#26 · (Edited)
As far as I am aware Truck-Lite/Rigid own the patent to heated headlight lenses. I do not know the specifics but I feel they are going to be the only ones for some time who have a heated LED lens: https://www.quadratec.com/products/97061_9010.htm

So if heated is what you want, that is the route to go. Feel free to PM me for a discounted quote as well. Just inclue your first & last name, address, zip and the part number(s) you would like to order. I'll get back to you with a quote.

Thanks!

-Rick
 
#54 ·
As far as I am aware Truck-Lite/Rigid own the patent to heated headlight lenses. I do not know the specifics but I feel they are going to be the only ones for some time who have a heated LED lens: Truck-Lite 55004 7" Round LED Heated Headlight Kit with PWM Adaptors by Rigid Industries for 07-17 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK | Quadratec

So if heated is what you want, that is the route to go. Feel free to PM me for a discounted quote as well. Just inclue your first & last name, address, zip and the part number(s) you would like to order. I'll get back to you with a quote.

Thanks!

-Rick
What is the difference in light output between the heated Truck-lites and the OEM LEDs?
 
#28 ·
I've got the LEDs in my '17. Now I'm terrified to drive the PA Turnpike in the snow...:rip:




Seriously though, only time will tell if this is a real problem or not. And as far as getting killed; it's not like snow covered lenses will make you invisible to other drivers. Yes, you're ability to illuminate <may> be impaired by the snow/ice accumulation, but just drive accordingly and don't outdrive your headlights in bad weather. I wonder if a snow covered LED headlight is comparable to a clean halogen headlight?? Can't wait to find out!!! bring it on Khione


*(yes, I googled "Goddess of Snow" to come up with Khione):mooning:
 
#29 ·
I don't wish the experience on anyone but for those who know that I am not given to drama - Trust me - It is not an experience you'd want to repeat.
I had EVERY light on my Jeep "ON" LED HL's, the Light bar and Both Cubes and I might as well have been using a match to see by.
It's not whether others can see you, It's Not being able to see.

Anyway, I'm done on this topic. Felt the need to "share" after all the recommendations I gave about the JWS's (it's any non-heated LED not just JWS)
My responsibility on the matter is satisfied IMO.
 
#36 ·
FYI - I appreciate your posts on the topic. I have to drive during (any/bad) weather and am likely to go with Heated Truck-Lites, largely because of your experience. A couple of years ago, CT & Boston were a mess for months. Having been stuck on the highway for hours in my early years of driving, no way will I get out and clean off lamps. Traffic danger aside, you stop and you may not be able to start again on some of these roads.
 
#30 ·
I think the potential for ice buildup would depend on conditions. If it was very cold and the snow is dry, non-heated lights might get less buildup than heated lights. On the other hand, if it is warmer with wet snow, heated lights would probably work in your favor. I put the new jw speaker LEDs in, but have yet to do any snow driving with them.
 
#33 ·
A factor that comes into play with our headlights is the front grill design. Our HL's are recessed and surrounded causing a cavity that snow/ice can and will build up.
With non-heated lights it's possible to get a layer an inch (or thicker) built up if you can't get to them to clear them. The light output dies well before that.
The night it happened to me, I was cleaning the HL's off every mile or two, made for a tough 40 mile drive to get home. Took an hour and a half.
 
#34 ·
My only experience with a snowstorm and icing up of lights was last year.

The upper half of the light (low beams) was fine, but there was unmelted snow/ice on the lower half. The top half seemed to be fine with the low beams on.

I suspect that with enough snow that the whole headlight could freeze up, but I have yet to experience that.

To help combat this issue, I made my DRL my lowbeams.

FWIW I have had the headlights for 2 winters in Canada and have not had an issue yet....
 
#37 ·
Headlights not being able to clear themselves during snow is a problem. My trucks lights aren't heated and never even crossed my mind when buying it. During the first blizzard, with 40 miles to go I thought my lights were off. It's a nightmare. How these manufacturers aren't offering a heated light option is crazy. My jk has the stock headlights which we can all agree are terrible but going to a heated led will be my only option.
 
#43 ·
I haven't had any snow to test them in. 8 might bring my Jeep with me 2 weekends from now on an up north trip though. We will see.
 
#44 ·
A good LED set up will produce little to no heat. The Trucklights and Older JW Speaker had fans built in to blow a small amount of heat from the heat sink to warm the lens. Not sure if the new ones do or not.


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