LED Vehicle Lights

[Robmac]

I have just finished replacing my front and rear top marker lights with LED units, and very pleased I am with them!

My thoughts have now turned to the other vehicle lights - Tail/Brake/Reverse/Indicators, I understand that you are not allowed to do the headlights unless factory fitted. I have also read that an extra resistor would need to be incorporated in order for the indicators to work on LED's.

Has anybody else done this? Does anybody know of any legalities or insurance effects if this is done?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DTDog]

Can't see what you would gain by fitting LED indicator bulbs?

The power used for the indicator and brake lights etc are taken from the vehicle battery which is being charged from the alternator while the vehicle is running, which is generally when you need to use of the indicators?
Jen might need to fit LED's to her headlights as when she parks up at night she tends to flash her headlights several times a night. Not sure why she does this, but generally she seems to attract several 'friends' that stand around her van!!

 

[Robmac]

Can't see what you would gain by fitting LED indicator bulbs?

The power used for the indicator and brake lights etc are taken from the vehicle battery which is being charged from the alternator while the vehicle is running, which is generally when you need to use of the indicators?
Jen might need to fit LED's to her headlights as when she parks up at night she tends to flash her headlights several times a night. Not sure why she does this, but generally she seems to attract several 'friends' that stand around her van!!

Longevity Dave! LED's are supposed to last several times longer than ordinary bulbs. It may take a while to recoup the cost of the units, but I find changing bulbs a pain in the jacksy!

Yeah I've noticed Jen doing that!

 

[Aspire255]

Longevity Dave! LED's are supposed to last several times longer than ordinary bulbs. It may take a while to recoup the cost of the units, but I find changing bulbs a pain in the jacksy!

Yeah I've noticed Jen doing that!

Is it just me then?

If I recall rightly on my present car of which I’ve had for nine years I’ve only changed a light bulb once.
On all the cars I’ve had in the last 43 years since I passed my test I’ve change about three.
I too would find it a pain to change bulbs especially on some cars where one has to dismantle the whole front of the car to do the job, luckily the Citroen Picasso isn’t one….
LEDs I love them on the new models, especially the day light running lights.
I believe there are companies out there that will do those for you..

Aspire255.

 

[maingate]

If you do a google Rob, you can get an LED reversing light with a built in reversing beeper. Someone posted a link a while ago to them.

 

[Robmac]

Don't fancy led headlights. The snow wouldn't melt off them so you'd need wipers as well. Probs why they haven't caught on. Anybody know of any vehicle that does have them ??

I think the new Audi's have LED headlights, but then they probably have heated headlights too! I've noticed that many HGV's and PSV's now have LED Tail lights etc.

 

[oldish hippy]

led tail lights are brighter so fitting led fog light would be good and brake lights

 

[mark61]

Everything will be LED's soon. There are some very nice rear LED clusters available, I put some high up but haven't replaced original rear lights.
Good LED headlight replacements are still huge money. Snow melting on headlights doesn't happen in proper cold.

http://www.jwspeaker.com/other/8700evolution

 

[Robmac]

These are the sort of thing I was thinking of (they come in various sizes and combinations on various websites)

2x 12V LED Rear Tail Lights Lamps Truck Trailer Tipper Chassis Motorhome Camper | eBay

 

[mark61]

Audi - Defeat Darkness

 

[mark61]

I'm not 100% but I think in Scandinavia they spray silicone on there headlights. Will try and find out.

 

[mark61]

Saves putting salt on ya chips then
Still use RaineX sometimes.

Car polish works apparently, never used it myself.

 

[gaz2676]

Don't fancy led headlights. The snow wouldn't melt off them so you'd need wipers as well. Probs why they haven't caught on. Anybody know of any vehicle that does have them ??

ducati 999 new model yamaha r1
not proven in snow as left locked safe in garage with a ounce of sense

 

[gaz2676]

I have just finished replacing my front and rear top marker lights with LED units, and very pleased I am with them!

My thoughts have now turned to the other vehicle lights - Tail/Brake/Reverse/Indicators, I understand that you are not allowed to do the headlights unless factory fitted. I have also read that an extra resistor would need to be incorporated in order for the indicators to work on LED's.

Has anybody else done this? Does anybody know of any legalities or insurance effects if this is done?

Thanks in advance!

i think the device needs to be fitted to led indicators is to slow it down otherwise they flash fast like a bulb in the loop broke on the normal bulb set up

 

[Henrym]

i think the device needs to be fitted to led indicators is to slow it down otherwise they flash fast like a bulb in the loop broke on the normal bulb set up

That's it, a resistor so that you draw adequate current (thereby losing the power saving!). More useful than replacing running lights would be to replace the living area lights with LEDs, get more hours out of the leisure battery.

 

[m1cxf]

I have led lights on my trailer ( NEW 24 VOLT REAR LIGHT UNIT LED INDICATOR STOP TAIL BURGER LAMP COMMERCIAL | eBay ) as it saves me from having to replace bulbs with monotonous regularity! The device for the indicator is called a ballast resister, its job is to fool the system that it still has a 21w bulb connected to it. I cant remember the average life span of an led but you would need to leave your lights on for a long time before they died.

Regards

Trevor

 

[Robmac]

That's it, a resistor so that you draw adequate current (thereby losing the power saving!). More useful than replacing running lights would be to replace the living area lights with LEDs, get more hours out of the leisure battery.

I've done all of the habitation lights, I want to do the vehicle lights because the bulbs will last much longer rather than to save on power.

 

[Deleted member 5816]

LED Road Lights

I have just finished replacing my front and rear top marker lights with LED units, and very pleased I am with them!

My thoughts have now turned to the other vehicle lights - Tail/Brake/Reverse/Indicators, I understand that you are not allowed to do the headlights unless factory fitted. I have also read that an extra resistor would need to be incorporated in order for the indicators to work on LED's.

Has anybody else done this? Does anybody know of any legalities or insurance effects if this is done?

Thanks in advance!

For some reason I have read that LED bulbs in Side lights, Brake lights and Indicator lights are not road legal Halfords sell all these replacement bulbs and the packaging states not Road Legal.

Alf

 

[Robmac]

For some reason I have read that LED bulbs in Side lights, Brake lights and Indicator lights are not road legal Halfords sell all these replacement bulbs and the packaging states not Road Legal.

Alf

I think it is only headlight LED's that are not road legal unless factory fitted. (So I read somewhere).

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Xenon HID Headlights

I think it is only headlight LED's that are not road legal unless factory fitted. (So I read somewhere).

Look on the Halfords website at led bulbs, .... the headlights that Must be Factory fitted are the Xenon HID type ones as far as I am aware

Alf