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Facotory LED headlights. Do they melt ice/snow?

Backwoodsraider

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Looking at a set on amazon. of course need to read into it, see what all is involved. but do the factory melt snow?

I know that is an issue with alot of them. ie jw speaker added the heated lens
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tstugel

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No they do not. Seems to be just enough heat to keep the ice soft so you can wipe it off with gloves, but it does not melt the ice while driving.
 

Bowerss2

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I have been searching for some sort of 12v heat tape, which can be applied to either the bezel or across the front of the headlight (its close enough to the beam, that as long as it was skinny it wouldn't effect the light at all) If I come up with a solution ill share it. Frankly FCA should have had heaters in it like some of the aftermarket options do.
 

Mr._Bill

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Is there a way to duct some engine heat on to the light assemblies? It gets mighty warm under the hood.
 

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Is there a way to duct some engine heat on to the light assemblies? It gets mighty warm under the hood.
The problem would be moving the air forward to the lens area while you have the 40+ MPH wind from driving into the snow and wind pushing it back.
You'd need to move the warm air to the lenses. Overcome that and you'd have an idea.
Another idea would be to circulate coolant through small lines surrounding the headlights.
Why not do what they do with heated rear windows??
 

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Following... I had to stop every hour or so to wipe off my factory LED fogs and headlights last snow storm. Love the lights with the exception of them not melting snow. I found a few companies that have stick on 12v heater elements (like the rear window defroster) but they didn't appear to be cut to size. I think I might just end up buying some 55w halogen driving lights and mounting them to my bumper for snow driving.
 

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Backwoodsraider

Backwoodsraider

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Decided if i go LED will stick with the JW speaker, with heated lens. Cost is less then stock (new purchase).

in the mean time, will upgrade to a higher watt halogen for light
 

HydroRubi

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I've read some people use a spray such as RainX to keep ice/snow from building up. Anyone try that or something similar and have good results?
 

Cmp8254

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Drove in the snow for the first time tonight, those LEDs covered in snow so quickly and could not see the lines in the road my entire drive home. Has anyone tried the solutions above or have anything else to recommend?
 

Vaughn48134

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I am seeking advice on what wattage halogen driving light would be best for use when driving in snow and icy conditions.Snow and ice buildup on headlights here in Michigan are a big problem …thanks
 

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The biggest problem is the design of the headlight. It is recessed into the grill making a funnel to trap precipitation. Combine that with lack of heat sufficient enough to melt what is on the lens and you get the blockage that will keep building up.

An easier fix would be a headlight cover that is flat or convex from the grill.
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