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Quick candlepower question

1404 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Skinny Pedal
A set of the 6" HID KCs has 600,000 candlepwer at a cost of $850, but the slimline 6" KCs have 300,000 candlepower at $175. Soooooo at that rate you could pick up almost 5 sets of slim light (4.86 sets), that would be 10 slimlights putting out 3,000,000 candel power. Other than the pure redicoulousness of running 10 lights, does that math work out? I dont know how to compare candlepower. Would 2 sets of Slimlights be close to the actual light output of one set of HIDs? it would be 600,000 candlepower to 600,000 candlepower, and a savings of $500 over the HIDs. I know the amp draw is way different, just wondering about the actual light output.
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Extending the math, you can pick up 1 million candle power spot lights at a lot of places these days for $15-$20 :)

I have often wondered why "car" lights cost so much and I usually don't find a good reason other than marketing. I have had a 130W KC which I picked up for about $55 and that has been more than enough for my offroad lighting needs. I have a couple of small 4" driving lights to augment the dim headlights for when needed on road.
I had airplane landing lights on my old CJ mounted in tractor light housings. You used to be able to get these set-ups for about $40-$50 a pair. Very good light. I have no idea if they are available like that anymore. The lights said 13volt on them, but they worked fine. They were a pencil beam type.
bob1340 said:
I had airplane landing lights on my old CJ mounted in tractor light housings. You used to be able to get these set-ups for about $40-$50 a pair. Very good light. I have no idea if they are available like that anymore. The lights said 13volt on them, but they worked fine. They were a pencil beam type.
That's exactly what's in the KC Dayliters and I ran them as high beams in a '73 Opel Manta. They're available online from Wagner for $12-13.
I installed a set of HIDs from Skinnypedal, in my IPF housings, and it made the KCs useless. I have a set of fog lights and driving lights. I don't even use them anymore with the HIDs
desertfox1 said:
I installed a set of HIDs from Skinnypedal................
X2

Between Josh's HIDs and rock lights, no other lights are really needed.
Rockunlimited2 said:
A set of the 6" HID KCs has 600,000 candlepwer at a cost of $850, but the slimline 6" KCs have 300,000 candlepower at $175. Soooooo at that rate you could pick up almost 5 sets of slim light (4.86 sets), that would be 10 slimlights putting out 3,000,000 candel power. Other than the pure redicoulousness of running 10 lights, does that math work out? I dont know how to compare candlepower. Would 2 sets of Slimlights be close to the actual light output of one set of HIDs? it would be 600,000 candlepower to 600,000 candlepower, and a savings of $500 over the HIDs. I know the amp draw is way different, just wondering about the actual light output.
I will try to help some. Candlepower is a measurement of light output. Fixture/lens design determines how that light is used.

Lets take two identical light fixtures with the same lens but one with 100,000 CP and one with 200,000 CP. The one with 200,000 CP will put out more light and shine farther down the road. Now lets take two of the 100,000 CP lights. They will put out the same amount of light as the one 200,000 CP light but will still only shine down the road as far as a single 100,000 CP light. You will get a better spread of light but no more distance. Hope this makes some kind of since.
skinnypedal hid's own the night. gotta buy some hid aux lighting as well. and still need to mount the rock lights and perimeter lighting i got from josh
Thanks all. I am looking at the hid kit from skin-ped. I see they have a gang of lamp choices. Is this a case that more is not always better? I already get mean looks from the cars in front of me at stoplights because my headlight are lined up with their rearview mirrors and I am blinding them. I would love to have some over the top light cannons that trun night into day, but I have to be able to use them on a dd as well.
f9k9 said:
desertfox1 said:
I installed a set of HIDs from Skinnypedal................
X2

Between Josh's HIDs and rock lights, no other lights are really needed.
X4
Rockunlimited2 said:
Thanks all. I am looking at the hid kit from skin-ped. I see they have a gang of lamp choices. Is this a case that more is not always better? I already get mean looks from the cars in front of me at stoplights because my headlight are lined up with their rearview mirrors and I am blinding them. I would love to have some over the top light cannons that trun night into day, but I have to be able to use them on a dd as well.
Either your headlights are adjusted poorly or your jeep is lifted to the sky. I have the SP hid's and I just adjusted them down until no one flashes me anymore. On high beam I can see over half a mile.
Rockunlimited2 said:
............I already get mean looks from the cars in front of me at stoplights because my headlight are lined up with their rearview mirrors and I am blinding them.......
I know the feeling with my 3.5" lift but, I try to turn them to parking lamps only while at lights if, it is obviously lighting them up. Mine are aimed down enough that I rarely get brights flashed at me from drivers traveling in the opposite direction.
Get some cheap housings and do a hid retrofit.

http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25215

Get the cheapest kc lights and put the hids in yourself. It will cost you less than the cheaper kc lights you posted and be just as bright as the hid set.

and its a fun project.
Converting some cheap KCs is a great idea. I have had a bunch of people convert their standard setups. I can get just about any bulb combo you guys would need. If you don't see it on my site just shoot me an email or give me a call.
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