LED Lights for our cars - The answer to my fears?

[Magnum]

Well some feedback...

Made email contact with bettercarlighting.co.uk today (easier initial contact than phoning half way round world) and received prompt, lucid and practical feedback.

Short version is they have commissioned an LED friendly flasher unit (that also works with incandescent bulbs) that is a straight swap into a 911, and they have recommended packages for the car. A bit more expensive that USA offerings but they seem to be very focused on quality and results....Following may be of interest:

kit of 4 indicator bulbs with the relay is here:-
http://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/inde ... ductId=606

Red LED brake lights (as we know instant - standard bulb takes half a second to reach full brightness) and twice as bright as standard, but half of the power.
http://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/inde ... ductId=556


I'm going to make a move and try it out!

Cheers

[anglophone1]

Jaffa SC has custom LED boards [not bulbs] - made by "Spoke" in US- really huge improvement, even in bright daylight- can't recommend them enough over bulbs - completely plug and play [come in round or square]
https://www.spokeworksled.com/product-d ... ed-pattern
LED bulbs on indicators, reverse and interior and LED bulbs in H4s.
C

[sisu]

3rd brake light is your best option. Most people won't brake until they see one.

[Jonny Hart]

Personally, I think you're on dodgy ground with non E-rated bulbs as brake and tail lights. There are no E rated retrofit bulbs on the market and never will be because of the way the rules are written.

They may look brighter, but if you got rear ended and there is any doubt that the car was not road legal, your insurance would be void. Let's say the driver who hit you said the brake lights weren't working or looked 'funny' Your car has been towed and is sat in a pound, the rear light clusters crumpled and containing the smashed culprit LED bulbs. If the car was inspected, the culprit bulbs would be fairly easy to find.

I have personal experience of making a claim against another party for damage to a hot rod I used to own. The other party's insurance sent an inspector and they were doing everything in their power to fight the claim on the basis that the car wasn't road legal. The guy spent a good few hours going over the car.

IMO, the main issue is the height of the lamps, not the brightness. From a safety perspective, the high level brake light is the best option. There are some folks who have integrated LED strips into the rear roof vent which is more stealthy. Since you're adding a extra lamp, I guess it doesn't matter about the lack of E Mark.

Sorry to be a 'doom monger'.

[inaglasshouse]

From a safety perspective, the high level brake light is the best option. There are some folks who have integrated LED strips into the rear roof vent which is more stealthy. Since you're adding a extra lamp, I guess it doesn't matter about the lack of E Mark.

I think, since the LED strip for the high level brake light is a self-contained unit (not a retrofit bulb), it should be possible to get E marked ones.
Anyone know of a nice unit which fits behind the roof vent? Might put one in the 69 car (minimal interior so no headlining to remove).

[middlefour1]

Personally, I think you're on dodgy ground with non E-rated bulbs as brake and tail lights. There are no E rated retrofit bulbs on the market and never will be because of the way the rules are written.

They may look brighter, but if you got rear ended and there is any doubt that the car was not road legal, your insurance would be void. Let's say the driver who hit you said the brake lights weren't working or looked 'funny' Your car has been towed and is sat in a pound, the rear light clusters crumpled and containing the smashed culprit LED bulbs. If the car was inspected, the culprit bulbs would be fairly easy to find.

I have personal experience of making a claim against another party for damage to a hot rod I used to own. The other party's insurance sent an inspector and they were doing everything in their power to fight the claim on the basis that the car wasn't road legal. The guy spent a good few hours going over the car.

IMO, the main issue is the height of the lamps, not the brightness. From a safety perspective, the high level brake light is the best option. There are some folks who have integrated LED strips into the rear roof vent which is more stealthy. Since you're adding a extra lamp, I guess it doesn't matter about the lack of E Mark.

Sorry to be a 'doom monger'.

I agree with all that, not being a doom monger but a practical realist in my opinion. There was a very good article on this in Classic Car Weekly a while back and their advise was don't do it. An LED is not a bulb it is an electronic device and works in a very different way, not always for the better. Even Philips who make LEDs admit they do not meet or comply with European legislation or the UNECE rules. The advise from the DfT is not to use them. As has already been mentioned the quality of some of these is very poor and light output can vary. For me anything that would put a claim at risk is not worth the candle!!

[Green Ernie]

Living life on the edge as I do I fitted led all over the 914, just got the head lights to do. Bought them all including an indicator relay (that ticks like the original) from www.classiccarleds.co.uk. Call Duncan Rickards on 0800 246 5678 he is very helpful and even supplied a wiring diagram to show how to wire up the new indicator relay. They are much brighter and should last a lot longer too.

[Tosh]

Following this thread I emailed my insurer (StuartMiller/PeterJames) specifically asking about changing the bulbs using existing wiring/bulb holders and units from BetterCarLighting above and whether it's a modification or creates any insurance issue
Here's the reply
"In regards to changing all the external bulbs to LED bulbs, this would be okay as its only maintanance to the vehicle rather than modifcation. "

[Jonny Hart]

Following this thread I emailed my insurer (StuartMiller/PeterJames) specifically asking about changing the bulbs using existing wiring/bulb holders and units from BetterCarLighting above and whether it's a modification or creates any insurance issue
Here's the reply
"In regards to changing all the external bulbs to LED bulbs, this would be okay as its only maintanance to the vehicle rather than modifcation. "

Sorry Tosh, this advice is wrong but I expect they don't understand the question.

Try asking 'Is my insurance valid if my bulbs are not E marked and do not meet type approval?'

There is good explanation of the rules here:

https://www.motoringassist.com/motoring ... bulbs-car/

And

https://www.motoringassist.com/motoring ... car-bulbs/

[Magnum]

Hi All

After a recent weekend "spring" rally through amazing, remote roads, and a bit of rain, I've convinced myself to order a set of LED lights for the entire car from bettercarlighting.co.uk. I'll also be converting my new Cibie Pallas light to LED.

Does anybody have recent experience to add to this thread (technology moves fast with LED bulbs) or suggestions of alternative suppliers?

Many thanks

[gridgway]

On a side topic...the headlights on my VW Touareg are really horrid. I've gone for the upgraded 'normal' bulbs (circa £35) which are better but not revolutionary.

Is there an LED headlight bulb that might work?

Graham