Legality of LED bulbs?
Discussion
One for our more learned friends - are the LED versions of the usual stop/tail/side light bulbs legal?
If not, is there a particular reason for this? Is it simply they haven't been formally 'approved' or tested to see if they reach the relevant standard? Or is there an inherent 'fault' with LED bulbs that make them more dangerous than normal filament type bulbs?
FWIW I'd have thought given they react quicker and in a cluster you're less likely to get a total failure, they'd be better than the traditional filament bulbs. Possibly evidenced by the fact you're seeing more cars with them fitted as standard now (mostly exec mobiles).
Thoughts?
If not, is there a particular reason for this? Is it simply they haven't been formally 'approved' or tested to see if they reach the relevant standard? Or is there an inherent 'fault' with LED bulbs that make them more dangerous than normal filament type bulbs?
FWIW I'd have thought given they react quicker and in a cluster you're less likely to get a total failure, they'd be better than the traditional filament bulbs. Possibly evidenced by the fact you're seeing more cars with them fitted as standard now (mostly exec mobiles).
Thoughts?
There is no "inherent fault" with LEDs that makes them "more dangerous" than filament bulbs. I can think of at least three reasons why they're safer: they don't blow; because they don't blow they can be soldered in place, so no dysfunctionality due to bad connections; and if the lens of the lamp gets damaged they still show the right colour.
They certainly used to be illegal due to complete moronic stupidity on the part of the legislators, who would prefer us to use a device that can fail without warning at any time. However given the number of vehicles now using them - Birmingham and Bedford buses all have LED stop/tail/indicator lights now - I would assume that some sense has been battered into their thick skulls. Why it has taken 30 years for this to happen is another question.
They certainly used to be illegal due to complete moronic stupidity on the part of the legislators, who would prefer us to use a device that can fail without warning at any time. However given the number of vehicles now using them - Birmingham and Bedford buses all have LED stop/tail/indicator lights now - I would assume that some sense has been battered into their thick skulls. Why it has taken 30 years for this to happen is another question.
cptsideways said:
Some of the aftermarket LED side light's blow really quick. I'd had 4 go after only a few hours, so that represents crap value. Gone back to proper bulbs, lots cheaper, lots brighter, and legal.
I agree I have a set that have gone in only a few months
I use LED cluster lamps on the racecar and they have lasted very well despite all the abuse but exactly the same items on my friends car (he was so impressed with mine he wanted a copy) lasted just 4 races. The reason though is simple, I built my system to include a controller box that limits the voltage to about 11.5V max while his runs at full voltage (upto about 13.5V). When they actually failed I was behind him on the grid and you could see segments (5 seperate LEDS in each segment) flicker and then fail until nothing was left. At £10 per cluster that gets quite expensive but as soon as he fits the controller I built for him (but he couldnt be bothered with) they will last indefinitely.
For cycles the light has to be steady, if fixed to the bike.
However, flashing LED's can be affixed to clothing or rucksacks for example.
Having said that, I'd be absolutely amazed if a Bib stopped a cyclist at night who was displaying a flashing LED to point out the legality of it.
Street
However, flashing LED's can be affixed to clothing or rucksacks for example.
Having said that, I'd be absolutely amazed if a Bib stopped a cyclist at night who was displaying a flashing LED to point out the legality of it.
Street
Cant just whack an LED in place of a filament bulb. You need to restrict the current flowing through them to 300mA if i recall. I wonder if they include protection resistors to some of these after market plug in bulbs?
When i finally migrate to a low profile car i'd naturaly want to have sidelights that dont reflect infra red light. What better way than to use something that needs no parabolic reflector...
When i finally migrate to a low profile car i'd naturaly want to have sidelights that dont reflect infra red light. What better way than to use something that needs no parabolic reflector...
sadako said:
Cant just whack an LED in place of a filament bulb. You need to restrict the current flowing through them to 300mA if i recall. I wonder if they include protection resistors to some of these after market plug in bulbs?
300mA is correct for the 1-watt "Lumileds" I have on my MZ (absolute maximum 350mA). These things are so bright you only need one of them. "Ordinary" LEDs like the things used in bicycle lights generally run at 20mA, occasionally 30. The things that plug in in place of a filament bulb are a cluster of "ordinary" LEDs with current limiting resistors, but it appears from some of the posts on this thread that the w*nkers make the resistors of too low a value.
There's no reason why properly made LED bulbs shouldn't be legal.
However, most pikey LED replacement bulbs are built with inferior components, so (a) don't conform with "E" mark specificaions, and (b) fail more often than real "E" marked filament bulbs.
I'll be first in the queue,as soon as there's an "E" marked LED lamp generally available....
However, most pikey LED replacement bulbs are built with inferior components, so (a) don't conform with "E" mark specificaions, and (b) fail more often than real "E" marked filament bulbs.
I'll be first in the queue,as soon as there's an "E" marked LED lamp generally available....
Mercedes SL and BMW 7-series have LED-based rear light clusters also.
They have European type approval I guess, E-marked, which ensures they are legal. Similarly the 'brake force display' feature the 3 series has, was only recently granted type approval and I guess you will start to see cars fitted with them soon.
They have European type approval I guess, E-marked, which ensures they are legal. Similarly the 'brake force display' feature the 3 series has, was only recently granted type approval and I guess you will start to see cars fitted with them soon.
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