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Post by colin1 on Jun 17, 2018 8:29:44 GMT
I was considering upgrading my sealed beam units to led units. I am aware that led headlamps are ,shall we say ,on the edge of strict legality. If anyone has done this conversion can they recommend a brand / model of led conversion kit? and where can it be bought.? price etc? I have already headlamp units which take separate bulbs ready to put in.
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Post by enigmas on Jun 17, 2018 9:38:50 GMT
Hi Colin...I installed these several months ago. Ebay...delivered to my door. They fit directly in place. Virtual plug and play. Cool white light at a fraction of the current draw. Amazing compact LED headlight technology...each one incorporates a tiny inbuilt fan. No need for an alternator to power halogen headlight bulbs any more nor a relay to save headlight switches. H4 HB2 9003 4-Side 80W Halogen Replace LED Car Headlight High Low Bulbs Globes AU $36.09 Was AU $37.99 Save 5%
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Post by colin1 on Jun 17, 2018 13:28:50 GMT
Thanks for info. will have a look . Have you changed other bulbs for led too?
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Post by lagain on Jun 17, 2018 15:39:29 GMT
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Post by Warwick on Jun 18, 2018 12:03:50 GMT
Hi Colin...I installed these several months ago. .... What's the spread of low beam like Vince? Unless the LED chips are located precisely where the bulb filaments were, emitting light in all directions like a filament, which they can't, it must have an affect on the spread of the beam from a lens designed for a filament. Low beam cut-off for example. This is something I've often wondered, but never had the opportunity to observe.
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Post by enigmas on Jun 18, 2018 22:31:35 GMT
They're great Warwick...and function as high and low beam with a very white light being emitted as opposed to the yellow beam of halogens. They also run completely cool with no heat being emitted from the headlight. I've driven with them at night and there's no issue from oncoming traffic. As for the technology behind them...l have no idea...a bit like my TV...as long as it functions as described I'll leave them in place.
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Post by Warwick on Jun 18, 2018 22:35:36 GMT
Thanks Vince.
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Post by enigmas on Jun 24, 2018 9:18:10 GMT
Here's a picture of my coupe with the LED headlights on in my driveway. They're so cool...in the literal sense!
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Post by djm16 on Jun 24, 2018 10:22:07 GMT
A word of caution. A LED unit requiring a fan is going to get hot (that is why it requires a fan). This a) wastes energy and b) is a potential failure when the fan gives out. Newer LEDs do not get anything like as hot. I have sets without fans in my P4 and P5. They draw 1A per bulb while giving out more light than a 100W halogen. These look like the ones I bought: www.horizonleds.co.uk/h4-5th-gen-4000-lumens
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Post by enigmas on Jun 24, 2018 12:07:53 GMT
Ah...I paid $37 for my set (currently $36)....these below...your link cost £139.95 or $249.33 AUD. I'll take my chances and make note of the life span!
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Post by Warwick on Jun 24, 2018 13:02:24 GMT
I think I'll try compact fluoros.
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Post by Sam Bee on Jun 24, 2018 18:24:16 GMT
I shall stick firmly to seal beam. Quite adequate for 70mph without causing annoyance with piercing white lights. Good I suppose for driving at 160 on an autobahn!! I won't use the Anglo-Saxon venom I apply to modern cars with these lights. Seriously though, the RAC are investigating the downside of LED lights being detremental to other road users.
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Post by enigmas on Jun 25, 2018 0:30:36 GMT
Sam there's no real debate here just personal/individual preference and options. Modern vehicles are moving toward this technology. Often people who fit them to older vehicles don't bother to check or adjust the beam alignment or spread (ever...whether using new or older technology)
If your car is running a generator the power draw on the system a night with full lighting (and other accessories...heater fan) is significantly reduced. So there's no need to fit/upgrade to an alternator.
There's a significant load reduction on the light switches (over heated/burnt contacts) if the car was not fitted with relays. Older cars often have cooked headlight switches as higher wattage lights (halogen) were fitted. The soft yellow glow of OEM lights on a classic cars/motorbikes is lovely but unfortunately doesn't ease the driving experience at night.
It's a brave new world in modern traffic including the high density of vehicle use at all times of day!
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Post by Roy of the Rovers on Jun 25, 2018 10:08:38 GMT
I shall stick firmly to seal beam. Quite adequate for 70mph without causing annoyance with piercing white lights. Good I suppose for driving at 160 on an autobahn!! I won't use the Anglo-Saxon venom I apply to modern cars with these lights. Seriously though, the RAC are investigating the downside of LED lights being detremental to other road users. Sam I think you are referring to the HID lights which do not have the appropriate deflection of the light. People buying HIDs and fitting them in H4 designed housings basically blind the oncoming roadusers. Purpose designed LED bulbs do not burn the retinas of oncoming traffic as they shine where the halogen bulbs were designed to shine and in the correct pattern. It is an issue with all modern cars nowadays that headlights are brighter, its something we should get used to. Personally I hate the new auto height adjusting headlights that appear to be flashing at you from behind when going along a slightly uneven road. Very distracting indeed as they adjust themselves up and down all the time. Basically if you use your P5 in the dark, the correct LEDs are a good idea because they simply allow you to see twice as far up the road. Sealed beams are like a candle in a jar in comparison.
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Post by richardlamsdale on Jun 25, 2018 12:30:12 GMT
Does anyone know the legal position of LED's for on-road use in the UK? Most (all?) seem to be sold for off-road use only, so is there a risk of insurance being invalidated if used on-road? I can see the benefit of LED's for sidelights and brake lights, as there should be less risk of 'bulb' failure going unnoticed.
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Post by Roy of the Rovers on Jun 25, 2018 14:53:48 GMT
The old filament bulbs were measured in wattage to identify their brightness because that's all the measurement there was relevant to a filament bulb. Whereas LEDs use far less wattage to produce far more brightness (Lumens). My LED headlights are complete 7" sealed units and used as upgrades in Jeeps and Landrovers. I don't think any insurance company or safety group would argue that they were illegal due to lower wattage. The nice thing is, when I fancy a change it takes 5 mins to put the H4 units back in
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Post by lagain on Jun 25, 2018 18:50:13 GMT
I am very pleased with my LED headlamps and they do not seem to dazzle oncoming traffic. I ride a motorbike for most of the time and the headlights on that are hard wired, LED and amazingly bright, so I am used to having the lights on. With most of the vehicles on the road having fairly bright DLRs I feel slightly vulnerable in the Rover and generally now drive her with the headlights on - the switch no longer gets hot and I have been able to reconnect the modification of years ago, having the fog lights come on with main beam ! My brother had a nasty accident last year when a Land Rover Discovery turned right in front of him, in a modern car. He tipped it over and both vehicles were written off. My brother's car was not fitted with DLRs. We need to be seen !
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Post by JohnC on Feb 10, 2019 14:38:29 GMT
Continuing the Headlight thread. I replaced my sealed beams with Halogen bulbs then came long the recommendation to protect the light switch by fitting relays in the lighting circuit. A friend told me about LED headlight bulbs which he had fitted to his Alfa. I tried the LED bulb which gives a good clear white light with no fear of overloading my lighting circuit. My question to all you out there is are they legal? If I fit a good quality UK built bulb will it conform to lighting regs.
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Post by Brendan69 on Feb 10, 2019 16:59:03 GMT
George, it wasn't HRH Philip was it. LOL,
Joking aside I hope he was ok.
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Post by JohnC on Feb 11, 2019 14:07:19 GMT
To shine a little more light on the subject of LED headlight bulbs, please excuse the pun. I contacted the DSA, MOT standards, to clarify the legality of fitting LED bulbs to headlights on P5s. They were extremely helpful and made it very clear to me that fitting an approved LED replacement, by that I think they refer to imports, was well within DSA and MOT standard. Therefore I shall be ordering and fitting a warm light LED to my P5b.
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Post by Brendan69 on Feb 12, 2019 10:53:50 GMT
Please let us all know John how you get on and where you buy from, brand and price please as it all helps.
Regards,
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Post by JohnC on Feb 19, 2019 8:15:27 GMT
LED update. I contacted Classic Car LEDs who were very helpful. They offered two types of LED bulbs for my P5b. The first with a white light, the second with a warm white light. I felt that the warm light was more appropriate for my classic with all the benefits of LED lighting. The bulb and wiring was easy to fit (no need for relays) and they are a great improvement on the sealed beam. Having served my apprenticeship with Rover car co, back in the late sixties. I am sure that if the LED bulb was available it would have been fitted to their quality products.
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