LED Bulbs

[SteveD]

I hope to change most of my bulbs to LEDs. I've done the front side lights and rear number plate lights without problem.
However the rear side/brake lights are proving more difficult. I've tested the bulbs and they are good, but when I put them in the holder in the car they don't work but the original ones do.
I've not tested them with the engine running but I can't believe these bulbs need more oomph to get them working.
I've tried the bulbs in the bulb holder out of the car and they work OK! All earths are OK as well.
Any ideas?

[stag8manod]

My guess is it's the earth path between the bulb holder and the taillight body.I had a similar problem when I converted mine. I considered running a separate earth wire from the bulb holder to the main frame but managed to get a circuit without but if there is future problems it remains an option
Cheers Ian A

[Stevekid1]

I had exactly the same issues with the first set of bulbs I got from ARGO I believe. These were useless and after spending a couple of hours trying to get them to work properly they went in the bin. Its not an earthing problem but something to do with the make up of the bulbs. I ordered a different style of stop/tail bulb from classic car L.E.Ds and they worked perfectly and still do. I cant see them advertised on eBay now as they are actually illegal to fit.

[SteveD]

These bulbs are from ARGO, the ones I got for the front side lights work fine. I guess it's something to do with the dual filament arrangement. I will send them back.

Thanks for stopping a lot of head scratching. The Forum works well.

[stag8manod]

I don't where mine came from. A fellow NZ club member imports them, but I do know they are handed and have to go in the right way around.
Cheers Ian A

[Phil S]

I fitted a cheap set of side lights and stop,tail led lamps.
They worked but went as bright as the original.
Now in the process of fitting a full car's worth from better car lighting.
Very pleased so far, but only have the interior and dash completed as am also doing led headlights.
Will try to post some pictures when finished.
Phil

[mjheathcote]

Will be interesting to know about the LED headlights.
This sector of the market is evolving quickly, like the HID's.
Personally, I don't like LED for the interior, I prefer the filament glow period thing!

[DJT]

Personally, I don't like LED for the interior, I prefer the filament glow period thing!

Personally, I don't like LEDs for the exterior either, particularly headlights. They are a PITA when dazzled by them on a wet night from the low vantage point of a Stag seating position. But then, I remember when many people complained when Halogen headlights were introduced. They were so much brighter than the old filament bulbs......

[Kithmo]

Personally, I don't like LEDs for the exterior either, particularly headlights. They are a PITA when dazzled by them on a wet night from the low vantage point of a Stag seating position. But then, I remember when many people complained when Halogen headlights were introduced. They were so much brighter than the old filament bulbs......

Spot the Austin Allegro, one of the first to be fitted with the new blinding halogens, a game we used to play in the late 70s on the way back at night from a day out.

LEDs being lower current drain, reduce the demand on the alternator, saving a couple of HP draw and hence a teaspoon of fuel.

[marshman]

[QUOTE=Kithmo;389303
LEDs being lower current drain, reduce the demand on the alternator, saving a couple of HP draw and hence a teaspoon of fuel. [/QUOTE]

I know it's a tongue in cheek comment but I am pedantic old sod and 1 HP = 745 Watts, so 2 HP = nearly 1.5kW. Last time I looked standard Headlamps were around 60W max, even allowing for a car with a modified set up where all 8 filaments are on on main beam this would only be 480W. LED's are more efficient but will still be around 25W, so max (assuming all 8 are on) is 200W, saving around 280W so a maximum of 1/3HP better off.

Roger

[alan_thomas]

but I am pedantic old sod and 1 HP = 745 Watts,

Roger

Being an even more pedantic old sod I seem to remember 1 HP = 746 watts

[mole42]

Most of us electrical types used 1hp=750W as a near enough approximation. If we’re going to get really nit-picky, we have to calculate in the belt slip, the alternator inefficiency, and contact resistance between the charger and the battery.

OMG, I’ve just risen to the bait.

[marshman]

Being an even more pedantic old sod I seem to remember 1 HP = 746 watts

Ah, it depends whether you round up or down, actually it is 745.699872 Watts to 6 decimal places.

[new to this]

Will be interesting to know about the LED headlights.
This sector of the market is evolving quickly, like the HID's.
Personally, I don't like LED for the interior, I prefer the filament glow period thing!

I had a look at LED headlight bulbs at the NEC,but they wouldn't fit the stag head lights as they have a big heat sink on them,so unless you cut a big hole in the headlight mounting bowls they won't fit

Dave

[stag8manod]

I'm told, one uses saloon headlight bowls as these have the required hole in their base that allows the L.E.D lamp to be fitted. I haven't got that far yet.
Cheers Ian A