Changing Conventional Bulbs for LED Clusters

redrover

redrover

Well-Known Member
Hello All,

After reading an article in a recent issue of a classic car magazine, i got thinking about changing my side, indicator, tail and reversing lights for LED cluster bulbs.

There are plenty of suppliers out there, and some can even supply festoon and panel bulbs to fit interior lights and behind dashboards.

I probably wouldn't be too bothered about the interior lights, as they don't get too hot, but after a few nights driving short distances around town with all my lights on, I found that my battery wasn't turning the starter motor as quick as normal the following morning. On one occasion, i've had to jump start it! Admittedly, it is the wipers and head lamps that are drawing the most power, but i was interested to see whether LED bulbs would make any difference.

They are certainly meant to be A LOT brighter, don't get hot, and are of course endlessly reliable, but do they really justify the cost?

Has anybody here changed their bulbs for LED clusters?
What suppliers did you find to be the best/cheapest?
Is the extra brightness noticeable? (I must admit "candles in jam jars" springs to mind when thinking about the P6's sidelights!)

Michael
 
Hi Michael

redrover said:
After reading an article in a recent issue of a classic car magazine, i got thinking about changing my side, indicator, tail and reversing lights for LED cluster bulbs.
Click to expand...

I read that article too and am considering the same :D

redrover said:
I probably wouldn't be too bothered about the interior lights, as they don't get too hot, but after a few nights driving short distances around town with all my lights on, I found that my battery wasn't turning the starter motor as quick as normal the following morning. On one occasion, i've had to jump start it! Admittedly, it is the wipers and head lamps that are drawing the most power, but i was interested to see whether LED bulbs would make any difference.
Click to expand...

I'd be inclined to think that your alternator is not up to the job before looking at reducing your current drain on the battery. I live in Scotland where we have long, dark, wet winters so use my lights, wipers, washers etc a lot and I've never had any problems starting the car next day, even after short journeys.

Dave
 
Hi,

Before you just swap your indicators, note that the flasher unit requires a level of current draw in the circuit to work - which is why when a bulb blows, the flasher stops flashing! LEDs draw significantly less power.

I replaced my interior lights - the festoon in the roof, and the light inside the rear view mirror, with festoon LEDs. What a difference!!! So BRIGHT and so WHITE!!, I can actually see what I'm now doing in the dark! And especially with the light in the rear view mirror - it doesn't get hot and so doesn't melt the lens.

Cheers,
Bri.
 
My tuppence worth - Got a pair of sidelight replacement LEDs and was initially very happy with them. Might have got a too-low wattage pair as they only give off a tiny, sharp speck of white light daytime (ie. not a full glow to fill the reflectors), but a nice bright whiteness at dusk/night. We have mandatory daytime lighting so I wanted the sides to be bright enough to work as position lights, leaving the mains off. Still a bit unsure how I feel about them, while they're not strong enough for the purpose I don't seem to have put the old bulbs back in... :p
 
Hi, I too was thinking of using these a couple of years back but my
friend who works for a large coach company said they are fitted to
most of there coaches and that reliability is a real problem either
by water ingress or fatigue from vibration. With bulbs being just
a few pence there is a price penalty as well.
 
Brian-Northampton said:
I replaced my interior lights - the festoon in the roof, and the light inside the rear view mirror, with festoon LEDs. What a difference!!! So BRIGHT and so WHITE!!, I can actually see what I'm now doing in the dark! And especially with the light in the rear view mirror - it doesn't get hot and so doesn't melt the lens.
Click to expand...

Can you remember where you got the roof one? I'm intending to swap mine as I'm forever having to remove the bulb to prevent it overheating while I'm working in the car.
 
Willy Eckerslyke said:
Can you remember where you got the roof one? I'm intending to swap mine as I'm forever having to remove the bulb to prevent it overheating while I'm working in the car.
Click to expand...

I got it off eBay. Measure the one you've got (I can't remember the length) and search for "LED Festoon".

I got one with 24 LEDs mounted on a small inch square PCB. Bear in mind that LEDs give directional light, so I tilted the 'bulb' so that the light was directed towards the front of the car.

They do make high power LED bulbs now, but not sure of the difference intensity.

Cheers,
Bri.
 
No point in doing a led change if you expect to save power as all the minor lighting is relativly low current, for myself I am waithing for LED replacement headlamps, they are currently more than bright enough but not available in replacement lamps as yet (some tech solutions are needed) as LEDs and hot wires are not the same radiating point source.

Graeme
 
ghce said:
No point in doing a led change if you expect to save power as all the minor lighting is relativly low current, for myself I am waithing for LED replacement headlamps, they are currently more than bright enough but not available in replacement lamps as yet (some tech solutions are needed) as LEDs and hot wires are not the same radiating point source.

Graeme
Click to expand...

Instead of LEDs have you considered HID lights We use them on the
vehicles on the runway at work, Very good. Three time the light output
and a third the power consumption. They are now better priced at about
80 quid compared to the 1800 quid of 5 or 6 years ago.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Colin
 
While I'm happy with my H4 converted lights (even ready to rewire for four dipped-beam action) I've toyed with the idea of a xenon kit that could also reduce the charge load.

Colnerov's post reminded me of these on eBay USA, where you get a full set, four bulbs AND housings, rubber covers etc. for under a hundred bucks.

And these with halos... :shock:

Very, very unsure about blue light on a P6 though!
 
Brian-Northampton said:
Willy Eckerslyke said:
Can you remember where you got the roof one? I'm intending to swap mine as I'm forever having to remove the bulb to prevent it overheating while I'm working in the car.
Click to expand...

I got it off eBay. Measure the one you've got (I can't remember the length) and search for "LED Festoon".
Click to expand...

Thanks I've just ordered one.
(39mm)
 
I thought that HID upgrade kits were illegal in cars which don't have some form of automatic levelling system, either in the lamp or the actual car, to stop them blinding people when you have passengers or luggage in the back?
 
Willy Eckerslyke said:
Brian-Northampton said:
Willy Eckerslyke said:
Can you remember where you got the roof one? I'm intending to swap mine as I'm forever having to remove the bulb to prevent it overheating while I'm working in the car.
Click to expand...

I got it off eBay. Measure the one you've got (I can't remember the length) and search for "LED Festoon".
Click to expand...

Thanks I've just ordered one.
(39mm)
Click to expand...

And it arrived within 24hrs.
Being a cheapskate I went for an 8 LED version and it's perfect - slightly brighter than the original bulb and much whiter. Not too directional either. Best three quid I've spent this week.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280542978609
 
ghce said:
I am waithing for LED replacement headlamps, they are currently more than bright enough but not available in replacement lamps as yet (some tech solutions are needed) as LEDs and hot wires are not the same radiating point source.
Click to expand...

Following up this topic from a while back, replacement H4 headlight bulbs with LEDs in them have seemingly just become available in the UK. Follow the link below. This company also seems to supply a large range of LED cluster bulbs, including clever dual intensity ones from Brake/Tail light use! Not used any of their stuff yet but am planning to place an order for a few bits to trial in a few weeks. Will yet you know if I can recommend anything.

http://www.m-99.co.uk/Car_Neon_LED_Lighting/H4_Headlight_Bulbs/h4_headlight_bulbs.html

Cheers,
Michael
 
That would certainly take the pressure off the current flow through the fusebox. Look forward to hearing the results of your trial.

Dave
 
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