LED sidelights

Phil Robson

Well-Known Member
I seem to spend most of my time driving my P6s with the headlights on, to be seen against all the moderns with their 'running lights' & to stand out a bit in poorer daylight or when back-lit with the sun, to help me be seen. I use the headlamps (halogens) as the sidelights are very poor.

However, I have just bought some LED sidelights that are direct replacements & tried them last night. This is how they compare in the dark, so they should be OK for 'running lights' by themselves; but I'll have a look in various conditions & report back.

IMG_5516.JPG
 
Probably good enough. Problem being you now have no sidelights I don't know where that leaves you legally seeing as these seem to serve no purpose these days as you can't drive with them.
 
And thanks for that photo. Too many people take a before and after not realizing that the "exposure" is automatic in nearly all digital devices and hence you need BOTH in the picture to get an idea...
 
Probably good enough. Problem being you now have no sidelights I don't know where that leaves you legally seeing as these seem to serve no purpose these days as you can't drive with them.

Those are just the sidelights Peter! The headlamps are as normal (just new lamp units some years ago) so work as intended.
 
I converted my sidelights to LED years ago. I used to use as day time running lights til I forgot to turn them off and the carnival of lights on the dash flattened my battery over a few hours.
 
My sidelights have been LED for a good while now. Unlike real daytime running lights you do also turn on the dashboard lights, rear lights and number plate lights, which of course use power, especially if you forget to turn them off. I am sure there will be a way to turn them on automatically with the ignition though.
 
My sidelights have been LED for a good while now. Unlike real daytime running lights you do also turn on the dashboard lights, rear lights and number plate lights, which of course use power, especially if you forget to turn them off. I am sure there will be a way to turn them on automatically with the ignition though.
Or put led bulbs in those too. They use much less power.
 
I’ve replaced every bulb in the car with leds except the ignition light of course. Much less power demand on the old wiring.
 
There are many cars that turn the dash lights on with daylight runners, witnessed by the amount of drivers running around with no rear lights when it gets dark.

Totally agree, but these cars have electrical systems designed to have the dash lights on, i.e. enough battery power, and don't forget you will also be running rear lights and number plate lights on the P6. My modern's puter turns the lights off after it has been left for a while with them on, the P6 will sit there all day with them on and drain the battery.

I am sure I can work out a way to have the front side lights on with the ignition, so all of these problems can be averted.

Richard
 
I have just researched all LED options for my series 1 Tc. Besides a dramatic reduction in power required, they deliver improved white light which is more intense and visible.
Add to this the colour options now available, and the old orange indicator lenses and the ever important red of the stop and tail lights, we see a greater colour brightness too.

As for the dash / instrument panels, green LEDs not only enhance the aesthetic look of the dash, but provide a far more readable data display. Matching the warning light colour with the same LED also alerts you to any issues, despite any glare from sunlight.

LED indicators require a driver to replace the bi-metallic strip in the basic set up. ( £10 ) plug and play

Finally, I intend to swap all of the headlights to the non Sealed beam type, which will allow me to use H1 and H4 LED equivalent light sources. As the power output of a dynamo has a lower limit than the alternator, it will allow for more power to drive the heater fan and wipers, especially at night, given the propensity for rain on our wonderful little island.

i can feel my newly refurbished dynamo breathing a huge sigh of relief
 
You might want to read the MOT testing manual about fitting LED / HID bulbs to normal halogen units.
Most don't produce correct beam pattern and there fitment is now a reason for a fail.
 
Clive, you are spot on.
There are however, some U.K. sourced LEDs that meet ROHS and E standards, so should not cause an MOT failure. They are designed to emit the light in the correct format, and not just to light up.
They cost a lot more than the cheap imports, but are legal, do the job, and don’t over burden the dynamo
 
Hopefully the U.K. ones are ok.
Every car so far I've tested don't produce any patterns at all just blinding light being LED and HIDs.
 
I have changed my 3 P6s' sidelights only to LEDs but those on BOP flicker. It's not that the bulbs are loose as it's only one or two of the spots on the clusters. The other 2 cars are fine & Hazel will be the same electrics I would assume (1970 ser 1 V8 vs. 1971 A suffix V8S) :confused:.
 
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