Jennifer Rose Towing
Member
I had a TIR 3 fail, I was also given a non operational LED minibar. I got curious as to how they worked so I decided to tear them open. This is not a review but more of how the build/ layout and optics work.
The first is a TIR 3. I purchased a few used from a member here years back. (I do not have a good understanding of the manufacturer but they were sold/marketed as "Pimp pods")
I cut the unit open and found several interior parts. The TIR was an individual part, then a small dome over the LED. The LED sat flush at the end of the reflector but the domed piece ontop of the LED was inside the reflector. The TIR reflector sat tight up against the LED mounting plate.
2017-03-21 17.31.45 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.32.42 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.31.21 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.44.04 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
The 2nd lighthead is quite different. Although its optics look similar on the outside, they are quite different inside. This head is from the Ultra-Tow minibar (Pictured)
The 2nd Picture is of one assembled lighthead. At this angle you can not see the LED very well. The LEDs are mounted to a fibrous board and leave quite a gap to the reflector
In the 3rd photo you can see the optics and LEDs better. This setup the reflector is a solid piece with the outer housing. Although the core is mostly hollow like the other, the LED is set back a bit. I can not compare the light output as I never saw this bar in operation.
I did notice the TIR3 was mounted to an aluminum base, likely for heatsink and weather reasons. This TIR4 looks less complicated because it used an external flasher. I am surprised that it does not have a heatsink though as the LEDs are on a fiberboard.
2017-03-21 17.46.10 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.30.55 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.30.30 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
2017-03-21 17.30.02 by Jennifer M, on Flickr
This was just my observation of how similarly looking lightheads can be quite different on the inside. I figured I would share these photos.
The first is a TIR 3. I purchased a few used from a member here years back. (I do not have a good understanding of the manufacturer but they were sold/marketed as "Pimp pods")
I cut the unit open and found several interior parts. The TIR was an individual part, then a small dome over the LED. The LED sat flush at the end of the reflector but the domed piece ontop of the LED was inside the reflector. The TIR reflector sat tight up against the LED mounting plate.
2017-03-21 17.31.45 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.32.42 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.31.21 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.44.04 by Jennifer M, on FlickrThe 2nd lighthead is quite different. Although its optics look similar on the outside, they are quite different inside. This head is from the Ultra-Tow minibar (Pictured)
The 2nd Picture is of one assembled lighthead. At this angle you can not see the LED very well. The LEDs are mounted to a fibrous board and leave quite a gap to the reflector
In the 3rd photo you can see the optics and LEDs better. This setup the reflector is a solid piece with the outer housing. Although the core is mostly hollow like the other, the LED is set back a bit. I can not compare the light output as I never saw this bar in operation.
I did notice the TIR3 was mounted to an aluminum base, likely for heatsink and weather reasons. This TIR4 looks less complicated because it used an external flasher. I am surprised that it does not have a heatsink though as the LEDs are on a fiberboard.
2017-03-21 17.46.10 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.30.55 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.30.30 by Jennifer M, on Flickr2017-03-21 17.30.02 by Jennifer M, on FlickrThis was just my observation of how similarly looking lightheads can be quite different on the inside. I figured I would share these photos.
