Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2005 9:17:56 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 15, 2005 16:20:54 GMT
This is a very interesting site for any car bulbs - are leds polarity conscious? I prefer the old fashioned electrics rather than new-fangled and unreliable electronics but the load saving may be useful on dynamo cars at this time of the year if the uni-directional properties are not critical
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2005 8:04:50 GMT
Hi Phil,
LED's as individual items are polarity conscious and so there is that to consider, also they are low voltage and need a feed resistor to achieve the required voltage.
It would be worth asking ULTRALEDS what polarity these replacement screw thread lamps are - my guess is that they are for negative earth. I will contact them to clarify this.
Is your 3 litre a positive earth car?
Cheers
Freddy
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 16, 2005 9:47:48 GMT
I believe these LEDs run a lot cooler than the normal bulbs we use. This would definitely benefit me, and probably a lot of us, regarding the floor mounted gear selection illumination. This bulb gets very hot and over time seemingly cooks the prespex gear selection indicator. I just might give it a go.
RichardF
Southampron
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 16, 2005 13:51:02 GMT
Please see below my questions sent to Ultraleds today. Answers are in red (I hope). 1. Do these types of LED lamps run cooler than normal bulbs (replacing 12v 5W/3W festoon, bayonet cap, Edison screw for dash board lights etc.)? Yes cool not warm - 2. Do festoon type need to be fitted in a certain way? Only so the leds point in the direction you need to shine the light Robert Bennett www.ultraleds.co.uk0871 7110413 I'll therefore measure mine up and order some. RichardF Southampton |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2005 14:28:22 GMT
Had a prompt response from ULTRALEDS ref polarity requirements. The screw threaded replacement bulbs are for NEGATIVE earth cars only - due to LED's being polarity conscious. This is not a problem for the V8 cars but I am not sure about the older, 3 litre cars polarity. These new LED bulbs should offer a much brighter, whiter light though in my experience the light has a bluish tinge (or am I just colour blind??). Anyway, I love them!! Remember, the dimmer switch will probably need a load resistor to work properly, due to the much lower current drawn by the LED's.  PS ULTRALEDS do a fantastic range of products - I bought some small torches with 5 LEDS in them - look like Maglites, only £4.99 each, really good, keep one in the glove box!  Cheers. Freddy |
|
|
|
Post by dorsetflyer on Nov 16, 2005 18:27:59 GMT
Most of the 3litres will not be able to accept the LED's then, as they are positive earth.
I'm not sure whether MK111's are positive or negative earth, as the later ones would be in the manufacturing area in tandem with the V8's.
Then of course some of the 3 litres would have had their polarities reversed by later owners.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 16, 2005 18:35:24 GMT
Mk111's are -ve earth.
Its easy to convert earlier cars just swap the coil connections over, the ammeter connections and possibly the fuel pump diode and clock may need changing depending on type. Motometer/Kienzle clocks are not polarity conscious nad the pump will either work or not if it has a diode but not all have these
The dynamo will need repolarising which is just matter of touching briefly the small field terminal on the dynamo with a live battery feed which can be done at the dynamo end or the regulator end.
The battery terminals should really be replaced with the correct type for the swapped over main cables
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 19, 2005 16:40:59 GMT
Well I went ahead and ordered LED lamps from ULTRALEDs and they arrived two days later. Fitted them this morning to the instrument panel, including the very small ones for the switches. also replaced the courtesy light bulbs and the gear selector illumination. I find the difference quite marked and, in my opinion, worth the cost. The courtesy lights now have a white light with a very slight blue tint (I think - old eyes) and look much better when compared to the old yellow (dim) light. I can also read what the switches are now.
Regards to all
RichardF
Southampton
|
|
|
|
Post by PatMcCoy on Nov 19, 2005 17:05:06 GMT
Can you give us a idea what you paid to do them all
and if you had any problems
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 19, 2005 18:10:16 GMT
I purchased 4 x 7W festoons for courtesy lights, 1 x 3W festoon for gear selector, 4 x 2.2W miniture for panel switches, 2 x 3.5W for instrument lights and 2 x spare; 13 LED lamps in total. The cost including vat and delivery came to £44.08. I had absolutley no problem in fitting. The only time you need to be deliberate is when fitting festoon lamps - spin the lamp until the LEDs face the required direction.
RichardF
Southampton
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 19, 2005 18:23:12 GMT
Are they noticeably different - they are not particularly cheap. Is the colour better ie blue-white- rather that yellow-white?
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 19, 2005 18:39:22 GMT
Hi Phil,
No, they are not cheap. But I always wanted brighter instrument panel lights on my P5b and this was the easiest, and in the long run, cheapest way of doing it. The ones I ordered are white light ones, and I think I perceive a faint blue hue, though that could be just my imagination. Of note though, you can purchase a few different colours; red and blue and maybe more. I do find a worthwhile difference in the LEDs; much better than the yellow glow and consider the money well spent.
If you want Phil, I don't mind sending you my 2 x instrument panel spares and 2 x courtesy festoons to try out. It would give a second opinion on them. Let me know.
RichardF
Southampton
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 19, 2005 20:28:58 GMT
OK I will will take you up on a courtesy light and an instrument festoon email me with the cost etc and I will send you a cheque and my address
They do sound good
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 19, 2005 23:25:24 GMT
Phil,
I've dropped you an e-mail.
RichardF
Southampton
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 20, 2005 10:30:14 GMT
Nothing received yet - perhaps my anti-spam is being a bit to keen?
|
|
|
|
Post by RichardF on Nov 20, 2005 11:39:09 GMT
Phil,
I found your address from the e-mail you sent me regarding the Pos earth radio.
If it still starts with The Bungalow..........and it's the one, let me know on this thread and I'll send you the items.
RichardF
Southampton
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 20, 2005 13:28:41 GMT
Correct & thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Dec 4, 2005 22:55:40 GMT
I have now used the LEds out Richard sent me to try and do think they will better for the gear selector and a bit better for the big instruments. I actually prefer the bluer light. They are much better in interior lights
I am ordering some for mine and will return new ones I receive to Richard. I am also going to try some in the front sidelights as these are rather poor.
I know they are pricey but in my view well worth it especially if you your car a lot at night.
Thanks to all who found this site in the first place
|
|
|
|
Post by DanielSheard on Dec 5, 2005 11:12:44 GMT
Just a question - these are prepackaged LEDS in old fashioned bulbholders to be a direct replacement. Do they need additional resistors or are they included in the package? Do they work with the rheostat or do you bypass it?
Daniel
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2005 11:42:35 GMT
Hi Daniel My new LED instrument bulbs take such a low current that the dimmer switch does not work, the lamps are either on or off so I guess I should fit a load resistor. However, the whole point is to get more light out of the instruments and overall, they are now fantastic! I can highly recommend them. Warning: these upgrades will be of no use to Concours / trailer Queens type cars, cos they don't go out in the dark do they??    Only joking!!! Cheers |
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Dec 5, 2005 18:49:38 GMT
They need no resistors on mine but teh I have still some old bulbs in circit. As Freddy says the dimmer switch is a waste of time.
They are not quite direct replacement as they are unidirectional which is why they may be no good in the rear lights/indicators although in side repeaters thay should be OK
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2005 12:24:41 GMT
I think that Ultraleds are offering a wide beam angle version of these bulbs that would be better in an instument installation. Cheers Adrian |
|
|
|
Post by dorsetflyer on Dec 6, 2005 16:51:49 GMT
Why worry about the panel light dimmer switch at all. It was a poor quality switch in the first place with very little control on light output. If you want to see the instruments at night then this item is a redundant feature.
|
|
