Diode Dynamics SL1 recall

Not sure if any have replacement LED lights from Diode Dynamics or not, I just got a letter that says they're having a recall on their SL1 lights.

They say they'll send a set of halogens "free of charge" (uh, I sure hope so)...and they want the ones you paid for, 150 bucks in this case, back.

But also, no indication of any sort of refund or compensation, I'm not ok with that.

 

yea they should be refunding everyone. from what ive heard they are gettting big time in trouble by DOT.

 

Better hit up Amazon vendors for their chinese trash bulbs too. NHTSA is hitting all-time-high levels of booshiet just becase DD is US based.

 

I'm not really sure what thats supposed to mean, but alright.

I have definitely been flashed a ton with these in, half of me didn't really care due to the fact of how much I'm blinded by, pretty much every one on the road with super bright light or lifted to the moon trucks. But, half is annoyed with it because even getting flashed the output of these is hardly noticeable with their DOT approved fog lights, like, if I turn the low beams off and leave the fogs, you wouldn't even know.

 

Covered here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diode-dynamics-recall.695846/

You are not ok with that? Do explain. You purchased an LED product that is not street legal and never was, no replacement LEDs for halogen lights are legal, regardless of whom you have bought it from. NHTSA has targeted US based companies selling LEDs for lack of compliance, forcing recalls. Yet if you bought far less engineered China LEDs you'd not receive this notice, does that make you feel better? You got the exact product you paid for. Also curious as to you getting flashed, as you seem to indicate you are running these in your headlights. The SL1 in a 3rd Gen Projector fails to outperform a stock wattage bulb in peak intensity and distance projection, so if you are getting flashed you certainly have an aiming issue unrelated to the LEDs.

 

Aye aye captain stubing!

And yes, I've aimed them down, even lower than the dot in my headlights at 25 feet, they are still bright, even to friends and family if I'm behind them, but thank you for you expertise.

But yes, its a good thing I purchased from a reputable company with a warranty, rather than a "far less engineered China company" on Amazon. Which absolutely entitles me to not be ok with not being refunded for putting my old lights back in. Thank you doofy.

 

I'm pointing out that NHTSA is suddenly making a big deal out of these, and is able to enforce this recall because DD is US based. But it's just as easy to buy rebased HID burners and chinese re-brands today, as it was 20 years ago. Probably easier, due to there being so many vendors online. But NHTSA won't be slapping Amazon or eBay with fines any time soon

 

Aimed them down? Have you lifted your truck? The SL1 (and most all side firing replacement LEDs) produce less uplight than stock halogens. There is no forward facing emitters to light above the horizon in the glare shield like a halogen, since the glare shield requires a forward emitting light source for the uplight. LEDs actually end up producing sharper cut offs with less blinding light when using an LED in the 3rd Gen halogen projector. I've personally tested this and observed this behavior. So again, if you are experiencing something else, something is not right with your lighting setup and the first thing that comes to mind is aim.

 

I think what most people might be upset about is that they won't be getting a refund for returning the bulbs.

I know that Diode Dynamics won't be able to resell the products and it's possible they'd lose their ass if they had to refund. I do empathize with OP here though- DD demonstrates that they are a competent company and don't sell "Amazon junk".

 

Yes, it's leveled, or lifted, or whatever you want to call it. I have marked center of headlight, which was 44", a little over I believe, and put my cutoff at that, well it was technically a little above as every headlight aiming I've read states putting center beam at the center of the headlight mark height. But after being flashed even still, I put the cutoff at the 44" at 25', which is what the dot is at.

I don't know how to make you feel better about it, do you need to see it to make you feel better about it, drive on up bud and have a look. But berating and chastising people with your superior knowledge surely can't get you far. I think the only good contribution thus far is pointing out that a thread was already started, forgive me if I'm reading your messages incorrectly, which I doubt I am.

Yes, simply put, exactly what I'm getting at. Which is why I opted for a company with reputation and name.

 

For vehicles with headlights over 36" high I believe you are supposed to aim your cutoff 2" lower than the headlight height.

Also you might try contacting Diode Dynamics to ask about a refund. Someone in the other thread was able to.

 

Gotcha, yeah, so then at 44" aiming center of that like all the headlight aiming information states i would assume cut off AT the 44 inch line would put center of beam lower than 2"?

I have sent an email, I did catch that, that the guy got refunded for both high and low beam.

Because yeah, when I purchased them they were stated as low beam replacement on their website.

I suppose we'll see how it goes, certainly they don't expect droves of people to be happy with putting their old bulbs back in and have a nice day thanks for the cash, by the way, we want those back. Lol.....wuuuut?

Also, I been to Redondo, isn't there a place near there being overrun by peacocks?? I member going there for E3 one year and someone was telling me about it like it was a joke, when I got there they were literally EVERYWHERE.

 

Hmm. Your perception of someone trying to help you with your lighting is interesting and perhaps there is a misunderstanding somewhere. It might help to have data and photos to help explain what I am talking about.

Stock Osram H11 vs Diode Dynamics SL1.



Here is is clearly visible the SL1 LED produces less uplight and glare than a stock Osram H11 standard bulb, as shown by the secondary light above the primary cut off. For the exact reason I mentioned earlier.

Stock wattage GE +130 vs DD SL1
Lux: GE 1086 vs DD Lux: 752


Here again it is clearly visible that the SL1 produces far less uplight and glare than a street legal stock wattage H11 GE +130 bulb upgrade, again shown by the secondary uplight above the primary light cut off.

I am certainly not a fan of incompliant lighting products and the SL1 is not a product I would recommend, as documented in the 3rd Gen headlight thread. But to say this product cause increased blinding glare in your 3rd Gen low beam projectors is directly counter to lighting science and empirical evidence. That isn't how these products work. Denying that you have an aiming issue and blaming it on the LEDs which are proven to provide less uplight and glare in a projector than stock bulbs is sounding a lot more like a troll than someone genuinely concerned with the performance of their lighting products.

 

I don’t always know who I am talking to on here but I know enough not to get into a lighting debate with crashnburn.

 

@crashnburn80 if the SL1s produce less uplight than stock, why are they being recalled for excessive glare? Is it just in other applications that they cause problems so they have to be recalled everywhere?

 

Less uplight than stock when used in a projector. The SL1 lumen output (1630 lumens) is greater than the standard legal halogen bulb output (1250 lumens for an H11) making them non-compliant as a legal product and in a reflector this can cause excessive glare.

 

Ah got it, thanks for clarifying!