LED Headlights

LED Headlights

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Discussion

SMB

1,513 posts

265 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
These look relatively easy to fit vs HID's but are they subject to the same 'conditions for road use' ie you need self leveling lenses and washers to be fully compliant? Or will these fall foul of the technical regulations for road use?

I know you may pass an MOT with them aswell as they meet the beam requirements and the tester may let them through, but as MOT rules tighten on these things should they include leveling and washers by the letter of the law?

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
SILICONEKID345HP said:
The wiring to the lights is not to off topic .. Its part of the installation and worth doing .

Any news with the LED`s




Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Friday 14th November 14:12


Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Friday 14th November 14:21
The discussion wasn't about wiring to the LED lamps, it was for increased W regular bulbs. One advantage ot the LED bulbs is that they perform so well whilst also reducing the load on the existing (let's say economic) wiring. They simply plug into the existing lamp connectors.

I agree with CoG, there should be another thread for upgrading the wiring to fit higher W regular lamps. For no other reason other than making it easier for people to find if that's whatthey want to do.

ChimpOnGas

Original Poster:

9,637 posts

178 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
SILICONEKID345HP said:
ChimpOnGas said:
Exactly my point, a new post is normally the best way to go completely off topic yes

Lets keep this one about the LED headlights shall we, after all the topic is titled "LED Headlights" wink
SILICONEKID345HP said:
The wiring to the lights is not to off topic .. Its part of the installation and worth doing.
Not really Sink Plunger

SILICONEKID345HP said:
Any news with the LED`s
Yes, "They don't require a wiring upgrade" rolleyes



SILICONEKID345HP

14,997 posts

230 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
Yes, "They don't require a wiring upgrade" rolleyes
To keep this thread yours i will not mention it again .just hope you keep a promise to do the same ,you are the worlds worst for doing it laugh

ChimpOnGas

Original Poster:

9,637 posts

178 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
SILICONEKID345HP said:
ChimpOnGas said:
Exactly my point, a new post is normally the best way to go completely off topic yes

Lets keep this one about the LED headlights shall we, after all the topic is titled "LED Headlights" wink
SILICONEKID345HP said:
The wiring to the lights is not to off topic .. Its part of the installation and worth doing.
Not really Sink Plunger

SILICONEKID345HP said:
Any news with the LED`s
Yes, "They don't require a wiring upgrade" rolleyes
If you want to fit higher wattage bulbs you will need to upgrade your wiring.

If you want to fit these these LED bulb replacement units (which is what this post is all about).... YOU DON'T!!!

IT'S ONE OF THE KEY ADVANTAGES OF GOING LED!!!

So start a new topic, I recommend titling it "High Wattage Headlight Bulbs - How to Upgrade Your Wiring".

I understand people are interested in the results from these LED units, but I can only update this post as I progress with the project, please be patient.

If you want to discuss a different project like fitting higher wattage incandescent bulbs please start a new post.

snorky

2,322 posts

250 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Sardonicus said:
Scangrip Nova 30 and I purchased mine from a tool guy wink for DIY you may find the Nova 20 will do you biggrin instant daylight yes
approx 132Euro off tinternet

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Saturday 15th November 2014
quotequote all
snorky said:
approx 132Euro off tinternet
Yep biggrin that's roughly what I paid in the UK sterling equivalent wink best lead lamp I have ever owned and the brightest eek

SILICONEKID345HP

14,997 posts

230 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
Any "Luck" with he Cree LED`s or have they been put on the top shelf ?

Been looking on U tube ,there seems to be problems with area`s so bright it`s blinding and in other areas with not enough light .

gruffalo

7,509 posts

225 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
SMB said:
These look relatively easy to fit vs HID's but are they subject to the same 'conditions for road use' ie you need self leveling lenses and washers to be fully compliant? Or will these fall foul of the technical regulations for road use?

I know you may pass an MOT with them aswell as they meet the beam requirements and the tester may let them through, but as MOT rules tighten on these things should they include leveling and washers by the letter of the law?
This in not correct, washers and self levelling not a legal requirement.


RochdaleGT

1,731 posts

222 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
they already look on the pic´s like they are blinding other motorists....

so its definately a no-go for public-road traffic....and a serious MOT tester would definately fail them!!!


magpies

5,129 posts

181 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
RochdaleGT said:
they already look on the pic´s like they are blinding other motorists....

so its definately a no-go for public-road traffic....and a serious MOT tester would definately fail them!!!
which is why CoG is doing it properly and checking with a beam setter (both correct low beam cut off and checking for unwanted blinding scatter)

davemac250

4,499 posts

204 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm baffled as to how you can tell from a picture which is taken from below the eye line of other road users.

RochdaleGT

1,731 posts

222 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
go to the next IVA tester....tell him you are buildiung a kitcar and you are planing using HID or LED lights....and see what he answers.

all around europe such bulbs are "officially" banned for fitting...that some cars pass the local MOT is a different story, as some testers dont recognize it...but this does not make things legal.


OutlawFlat4

697 posts

146 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
Hi Alex, actually I cant have the car off the road for too long so I'm getting a new set, then having my existing ones re-silvered locally as spares.

There may well be a good saving if we can run a batch through the tank, once I have some figures I'll propose a group buy for Cerb & Chim owners.

The process will likely include a high temp resistant 2k clear coat treatment, I've been reassured this will not crack, peel or go yellow over time (UV stable).

The 2k lacquer coating should dramatically extend the life of the bright finish on the reflector.

Dave.
Dave, are you having the new reflectors drilled to the correct beam pattern or leaving them as they are?

J

ChimpOnGas

Original Poster:

9,637 posts

178 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
OutlawFlat4 said:
Dave, are you having the new reflectors drilled to the correct beam pattern or leaving them as they are?

J
Yes J, all drilled using a special step drill to avoid picking up and tearing the silvering, an original TVR reflector was used as a jig to ensure the holes were drilled in exactly the right places. Both reflectors were then thoroughly degreased and 2k clear coated for complete protection, especially important in the freshly drilled areas.

They've been sat in the box ready to fit for a couple of weeks now, I've just been too busy of late to get in the garage.

However I do continue to use the car both during the day & at night, I did do some crude adjustment so no more flashing but they really need the new reflectors fitting then setting up on my mate's beam setter before I can give you all a further update.

Definitely a case of.... so far - so good.

Dave.

OutlawFlat4

697 posts

146 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
Yes J, all drilled using a special step drill to avoid picking up and tearing the silvering, an original TVR reflector was used as a jig to ensure the holes were drilled in exactly the right places. Both reflectors were then thoroughly degreased and 2k clear coated for complete protection, especially important in the freshly drilled areas.

They've been sat in the box ready to fit for a couple of weeks now, I've just been too busy of late to get in the garage.

However I do continue to use the car both during the day & at night, I did do some crude adjustment so no more flashing but they really need the new reflectors fitting then setting up on my mate's beam setter before I can give you all a further update.

Definitely a case of.... so far - so good.

Dave.
I just bought a set off Russ, but wouldn't know how to go about drilling etc. If you fancy doing another set for some beer or actual money, please let me know smile J

SMB

1,513 posts

265 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
gruffalo said:
SMB said:
These look relatively easy to fit vs HID's but are they subject to the same 'conditions for road use' ie you need self leveling lenses and washers to be fully compliant? Or will these fall foul of the technical regulations for road use?

I know you may pass an MOT with them aswell as they meet the beam requirements and the tester may let them through, but as MOT rules tighten on these things should they include leveling and washers by the letter of the law?
This in not correct, washers and self levelling not a legal requirement.
Really?

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120606...

gruffalo

7,509 posts

225 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
SMB said:
gruffalo said:
SMB said:
These look relatively easy to fit vs HID's but are they subject to the same 'conditions for road use' ie you need self leveling lenses and washers to be fully compliant? Or will these fall foul of the technical regulations for road use?

I know you may pass an MOT with them aswell as they meet the beam requirements and the tester may let them through, but as MOT rules tighten on these things should they include leveling and washers by the letter of the law?
This in not correct, washers and self levelling not a legal requirement.
Really?

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120606...
I saw a much more recent paper (on here, 2012 update I think) that went into much more detail, it stated that for car such as ours (sports cars)the need for a levelling system and cleaning system was not required due to the car, by it's nature, not being designed to carry heavy loads and having stiffer suspension thus not needing a levelling system, the need for a cleaning system I thought had been scraped after it had been shown to make no difference to the ability of the lights to dazzle.

This was a relaxing of the rules you referenced above, I would however not know where to look for it.

SMB

1,513 posts

265 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm not sure I see why a sports car would be exempt, it still wouldn't have type approval , the lenses would still be designed for halogen not LED or HID.

The fact some may say that its been relaxed, doesn't mean its legal as it was never specifically illegal, other than by virtue of it not meeting type approval. The act of not meeting type approval is still present. Thats why all the hids kits say for off road or private road use.

Some other non type approved things can proabably go unnoticed , but headlights are fairly obvious.

ChimpOnGas

Original Poster:

9,637 posts

178 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
OutlawFlat4 said:
ChimpOnGas said:
Yes J, all drilled using a special step drill to avoid picking up and tearing the silvering, an original TVR reflector was used as a jig to ensure the holes were drilled in exactly the right places. Both reflectors were then thoroughly degreased and 2k clear coated for complete protection, especially important in the freshly drilled areas.

They've been sat in the box ready to fit for a couple of weeks now, I've just been too busy of late to get in the garage.

However I do continue to use the car both during the day & at night, I did do some crude adjustment so no more flashing but they really need the new reflectors fitting then setting up on my mate's beam setter before I can give you all a further update.

Definitely a case of.... so far - so good.

Dave.
I just bought a set off Russ, but wouldn't know how to go about drilling etc. If you fancy doing another set for some beer or actual money, please let me know smile J
Hi J,

Mine came from Russ too, TBH you probably should have asked him to drill yours before he sent them out but it is a risky business so I'm not sure he openly offers this service.

Russ has the original TVR reflector I mentioned above and that special stepped drill bit which I believe is key to a successful job. Russ is a mate of mine and lives locally to me, we discussed the pros & cons of drilling at length before committing to it. With everything considered I decided drilling was the right way to go, so gave Russ the all clear to tackle the delicate job in the understanding it was at my risk.

The concern is when you drill the reflector you're inevitably introducing a point of failure in the silvering which as we know is already very susceptible to early failure. As it turns out Russ made an excellent job of the drilling, that stepped drill bit left zero visible damage to the silvering and the holes ended up super neat and looking totally factory.

I'm under no illusion we have still broken the silvering so have introduced a few points of failure, which is another reason why I then went to great lengths to clear coat the reflectors.

I'm no professional automotive painter and I've certainly never clear coated chrome or silvering before so the process was to a large degree another leap of faith, even after careful degreasing the first coat or two looked truly awful. Its not like you can key the reflector surface, proper adhesion of the clear coat to the silvering initially appeared to be presenting a real issue.

At this stage I was pretty sure I'd wrecked the reflectors, but as there was nothing to be lost by pressing on I started to lay on more coats of lacquer and heavier ones at that. The first of these heavy coats came out milky looking so by this point I was ready to chuck my expensive reflectors in the bin.

But as the clear coat died the clarity came back, it was quite hypnotic to watch and started to give me real hope the process would work. As each additional coat went on the finish got better & better, the additional layers of clear coat started to pull out the sags and patchy adhesion effect. In the end I probably finished up hitting the reflectors with six or seven coats, each one delivering a better & better finish as I went.

The end result was excellent, I properly surprised myself with how good it was which was definitely more to do with the careful decreasing process and quality of clear coat than my skill as a painter. The secret seemed to be to leave it a day between lacquering sessions, up to 24 hours the next coats reacted with the ones laid down the previous day to pull out any inconsistencies and create a uniform and invisible clear coated finish.

After three days of this process I was totally satisfied, so I left the reflectors on top of my central heading boiler for a full week, when I checked them a week later the 2k clear coat had gone off as hard as nails so I polished and waxed them for the finishing touch.

I'm absolutely delighted with the end result but only time will tell if they last longer than an uncoated reflector, I'd be very surprised if they dont but who knows that clear coat could flake, crack, peel or even turn yellow over time so we'll have to see.

What I can say is I have used the HB Body HS-496 2k clear coat before, and although its in an aerosol it is a professional body shop quality product. In the past I've found the durability of HS-496 finish is beyond question but that's over a base paint, so I'm really hoping it'll perform equally well on the silvered reflectors???

As I say... only time will tell.