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Post by stan on Nov 15, 2017 12:25:16 GMT
After reading the LED thread I decided to try my foot in the LED pond. I ordered side lights - warm LED's from classicarleds. They arrived the next day and fitted without issue. Good God!  If these are the warm toned down version what are the normal ones? These are brighter than headlights? Part of the charm of old cars, like a real fire is that warm glow not a football stadium floodlight. So not sure now if I will get the stop/tail? How are the stop/tail ones any good? I am glad I fitted them being a daily drive I want that visibility aspect especially as Steel Blue can look tarmac grey under dull weather conditions. Not sure about headlights yet, I might do a positive to negative conversation first and see, (they are not cheap) the sealed beams are actually pretty good, someone has replaced all the bulbs in the car and they are fine. I would prefer better ones in the binnacle but once your eyes adjust to the dim glow even they are ok? |
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Post by stan on Nov 15, 2017 14:32:06 GMT
I used that Company last year. Very helpful. I replaced sides with warm glow. Also replaced tail/brake lamps with RED LED so much more visible. Replaced all internal lights as the old bulbs got very hot and replaced number plate and AT selector lamp.Haven't bothered with warning lights or headlights because I don't use the car at night but the sidelights look good when I use the car on a dull day. Interesting views about LED and classic cars on the net. Some potential legal issues but the plods have probably got more important issues to worry about. I did inform my insurance company though. Thanks for the info. Is the change between stop and tail light very noticeable, a lot of people complaining its not? I would rather be safe, lets be honest although P5's are big cars on the road the tail lights are still quite small, plus with black numberplates, they can blend into the background? Btw would you know the bulb types for the binnacle pod, I dont want to take it apart if i can avoid , it has a small crack beside the ignition key. |
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Post by Roy of the Rovers on Nov 15, 2017 18:44:19 GMT
I used that Company last year. Very helpful. I replaced sides with warm glow. Also replaced tail/brake lamps with RED LED so much more visible. Replaced all internal lights as the old bulbs got very hot and replaced number plate and AT selector lamp.Haven't bothered with warning lights or headlights because I don't use the car at night but the sidelights look good when I use the car on a dull day. Interesting views about LED and classic cars on the net. Some potential legal issues but the plods have probably got more important issues to worry about. I did inform my insurance company though. Thanks for the info. Is the change between stop and tail light very noticeable, a lot of people complaining its not? I would rather be safe, lets be honest although P5's are big cars on the road the tail lights are still quite small, plus with black numberplates, they can blend into the background? Btw would you know the bulb types for the binnacle pod, I dont want to take it apart if i can avoid , it has a small crack beside the ignition key. Stan theres plenty of info on this recent thread about LED's Roy |
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Post by ozriderp5 on Nov 15, 2017 19:41:41 GMT
Is the change between stop and tail light very noticeable, a lot of people complaining its not? I've tried the LED Tail / Stop lights on a couple of cars including the Rover and in both cases have gone back to standard bulbs. There are probably some extra bright extra expensive ones that will do the job but I didn't think it was worth the effort. |
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Post by ozriderp5 on Nov 15, 2017 20:28:16 GMT
Definitely worth the effort with quality LED. Any recommendations on brand etc? Very few cars here have rear fog lights, we come home late last night in torrential rain and most cars were invisible until you were on them. I guess wiring in additional lighting is an option. |
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Post by lagain on Nov 15, 2017 20:49:16 GMT
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Post by Eric R on Nov 15, 2017 21:55:35 GMT
my electrical man said if you buy LEDs don't get them for instruments as those will not work if LEDs are installed elsewhere.
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 15, 2017 22:34:02 GMT
I have had LEDs in my instruments for years - they are much better but the dimmer does not work well not that it matters. I tried LEDs in the side lights and tail lights and in the dark they were great but in part light invisible so I removed them. I do drive our P5's in the dark I left the LEDs in the number plate lights and reverse light They are great in the interior lights too I suppose the modern brighter LED's are better now but even on new cars with the designed for LED lenses orange indicators can be almost invisible in bright sunlight but they few drivers these days use indicators anyway round here  |
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Post by stan on Nov 21, 2017 15:12:39 GMT
Here's more of a direct comparison as I found an old image of a lit sidelamp to compare with LED. I took the LED image this morning just before a drive. Two candlepower bulb   NEW LED (SOFTGLOW)  Thanks Dicky gorgeous looking car there! I agree my candles have been replaced with actual light! Its a miracle. I took the plung and fitted stop/ tail LEDs and they have made a big difference too. So pleased but wont be rushing off to buy anymore leaving interior ones alone I like the warm glow. But I will try to improve the instrument cluster at some point? |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 21, 2017 17:34:07 GMT
I must say Dicky your attention detail is slipping! The side lamp bulb holder is upside down and as to OEM with LEDs I am lost for words. Concours inspectors will be removing lenses soon  |
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Post by richardlamsdale on Nov 21, 2017 18:17:40 GMT
I must say Dicky your attention detail is slipping! The side lamp bulb holder is upside down and as to OEM with LEDs I am lost for words. Concours inspectors will be removing lenses soon Good to see somebody else lines-up their screw head slots. +5 marks for that. |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 21, 2017 22:12:58 GMT
I must say Dicky your attention detail is slipping! The side lamp bulb holder is upside down and as to OEM with LEDs I am lost for words. Concours inspectors will be removing lenses soon Good to see somebody else lines-up their screw head slots. +5 marks for that. Perhaps but the slots are the wrong way! I see PB has been spying too |
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Post by djm16 on Nov 22, 2017 0:03:46 GMT
Now isn't that strange, I can see Dicky's third photo, but not the first two.
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Post by harvey on Nov 22, 2017 14:53:40 GMT
It's because I wanted to keep the earthing wire holder and bullet at the top of the unit. Slot-headed screws now horizontal   I confirm that there are spring washers in place under the nuts viewed from under the wing. Bit of a nasty crease in that indicator lamp boot though, didn't you iron it before you fitted it? |
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Post by richardlamsdale on Nov 23, 2017 17:05:45 GMT
OK, so I have to ask (but I know I shouldn't) - is there really a best practice about how to align screw heads, or is this an apprentice initiation?
I'd have thought if there was any preference that vertical would be marginally best, to minimise the chance for water and mud collecting in the slot. I realise the factory wouldn't have even bothered at all about this, but just interested to know!
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Post by harvey on Nov 23, 2017 17:43:03 GMT
I know, because if you did, you would know that it's CDO....... |
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Nov 23, 2017 19:25:10 GMT
I actually think slots should be vertical so that moisture runs out  |
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Post by stan on Nov 23, 2017 23:01:30 GMT
I thought I could be fussy about stuff but its normally to ensure originality or more to the point reliability! Interior fittings should look right with fixtures because they will just annoy me as I look at them but external screws well no! I dislike those people who trailer their cars to shows, place mirrors under the wings and toothbrush the sheep poo out of their tyres so they can win a prize! They really need to get out more haha! 😂😂 On another note these are what the stop/tail LEDs look like along the originals.  |
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Post by ozriderp5 on Nov 24, 2017 1:46:02 GMT
So is there a huge difference in brightness?
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Post by stan on Nov 24, 2017 10:19:25 GMT
So is there a huge difference in brightness? The front sidelights, yes it really is from candle glow to illuminating the entire lense enclosure. The warm glow are bright enough without spoiling the look of the old car and for me a wise addition since this is a daily driver, day and night rain or shine. I dread to think what the normal bright ones are like probably illegal if you ask me, brighter than daylight running lights on modern cars. The stop and tail again fill the entire lense enclosure and a marked difference in stop and tail. They seem to pierce the surrounding ambient light quite well which if you live in my part of the world is good , since I have my original black number plates and steel blue bodywork which can look dull grey under dull conditions. I refuse to put a centre brake light but sometimes I wonder if I should? People drive like idiots as we know. So yes they are expensive and all the plus points dicky has posted. For me its safety above everything else. I wont be changing any others these are enough? If my sealed beams go then I might consider LED over halogens just for the sake of wiring as already mentioned? |
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Post by richardlamsdale on Nov 24, 2017 17:06:25 GMT
I agree with your sentiment Stan - cars are for driving. My car's about as far from the concours arena as anyones, but one of the things I enjoy about owning an old Rover is learning about all sorts of things, such as upholstery, woodwork, mechanical engineering and the power of human optimism and blind faith over cold reality.
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Post by ozriderp5 on Nov 24, 2017 19:23:12 GMT
There is a considerable difference in brightness but there are also other advantages: 1) LED is supposed to last much longer than traditional filament lamps. 2) They draw much less current so are kinder to old wiring. 3) They don't produce much heat so are safer especially for interior lights. 4) They are much more resistant to damage by dropping or vibration. They do, of course, cost much more. So for me, I have replaced all side/tail lamps, numberplate/reversing lamp, all interior lights but not headlamps or dash lamps except for the selector. I don't have any plans to replace anything else as I don't use the car at night. I've left the indicator lamps as I didn't want to have to replace the flasher unit. I'd agree with all of the above, I've pretty much done the same. I'll try Red LED's for the rear as the white ones were not impressive. |
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Post by Warwick on Nov 25, 2017 8:21:01 GMT
I haven't tried this myself, but you could try pushing a disc of tinted cellophane into opaque lenses such as sidelight, tail-lights and interior lights to back off the intensity and ultra white light from LED bulbs to give a more old fashioned incandescent look.
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Post by stan on Nov 25, 2017 21:04:55 GMT
I agree with your sentiment Stan - cars are for driving. My car's about as far from the concours arena as anyones, but one of the things I enjoy about owning an old Rover is learning about all sorts of things, such as upholstery, woodwork, mechanical engineering and the power of human optimism and blind faith over cold reality. You and me both Richard. I got fed up getting ripped off by garages when I started driving so decided to teach myself mechanics, welding, spraying, (i was briefly an apprentice trimmer) That was 1986! I always had aircooled beetles and vans then went to Classics , Wolseley Armstrong Siddeley Morris Minor but these were all I could afford. Maybe I could have got a cheap Nissan Micra but they are too modern I wouldn't know how to fix it? So I plodded on using my 'only cars' they just happened to be old classics. Yes they have poor breaks, heating, lighting, not much safety,but they have soul and its nice to have total strangers stop you to talk about them 'ooh my dad used to have one of these' etc etc. But this Rover was always on my list and although through a sad event, I finally have one. They are a joy to drive and yes they have a few foibles , (I hate the 3 seperate light switches) but within a week of ownership I love driving it when I can. Stick with it and enjoy it. Some people like to cherish their cars in a heated garage which is fine but I use them for what they were made to do. ☺️ |
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