LED headlights

John Murch · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject: LED headlights

I have been a fan of led bulbs for side & stop lights, they give brighter lights and much lower consumption. I have, in the past, tried some LED bulbs in the headlights, but as they use a multitude of LEDs, they were impossible to focus, so while great for daytime driving lights in foul weather, useless at night.
http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/online-shop-for-led-bulbs-and-light-boards-etc.php
The above is a supplier who has an offering for headlight bulbs which look good, has anyone tried them?

Philip Jones · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:01 pm Post subject:

I've fitted LED bulbs in sidelights, rear lights, indicators etc. on my Rover 75 and on the forums there this product has been discussed and successfully used in a 75/ZT. Sorry I'm not technically minded enough to understand whether this is at all compatible with your car, however.

Here is a link : http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/1179536202/9006_COB_led_headlamp.html
_________________
Phil
Bentley Brooklands 1994
Peacock Blue, Magnolia & Blue Piped Interior

John Murch · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link Phil, I imagine that this is similar, but the fittings are different. Good to know that there is steady advancement in this area.

Philip Jones · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:12 pm Post subject:

I think it won't be long before these will be readily available and available to retro fit, if any further info pops up on the Rover 75 club I'll post it here.
_________________
Phil
Bentley Brooklands 1994
Peacock Blue, Magnolia & Blue Piped Interior

Charles R Simmers · Joined: 19 Apr 2000 Posts: 117 Location: Arizona, USA

Did you know that the LED headlamps for a Audi A8 retail for about 3500USD per corner? There is a black market for stolen units.
It is not a simple matter of replacing the bulb. The LED array must be properly match to the reflector/lens assembly and a high voltage power supply incorporated to drive the LEDs in series. Although the operating current is low (~5A), the voltage needs to be greater than 40V.
The main beam and dip beam are implemented as discrete arrays to change not only the lower light output, but to change the beam direction.
Day Time Running lights use the dip beam LEDs with a pulse-width-modulated drive to reduce intensity.

Best regards,
Chuck Simmers

John Murch · Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 5:41 am Post subject:

Chuck, the Audi lights are quite a technical tour de force, what a price! The items that might be suitable for the lights of a WO retail at circa $100 a pair, and I don't think have a dipping facility.
John

Julian West · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 29 Location: Bayern, Germany

It is now 2018 and LED light bulbs have been further developed, including white front side light bulbs that turn orange when indicating. These bulbs can be purchased at a reasonable price from bettercarlighting.co.uk.

Concerning LED headlights, has anyone had more success using this company's headlight bulbs than John had in 2013. Which headlight dipping method is used on a 1925 3 litre vintage Bentley, solenoid or twin filament?

Regards,

Julian West

Martin Webster · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 7:48 am Post subject:

I am now using British Pre Focused headlamp LEDs that I bought from Classic Dynamo and Regulator Conversions on my HJM Mk VI Julian. I also fitted LED sidelight bulbs for daytime running. They only draw a small amount of current as opposed to the old incandescent examples. The headlamps have totally transformed the Bentley’s ability to be driven at night giving an excellent illuminated spread on main beam and a good cut off when dipped. It is important that the reflectors are in good condition and to take some time to adjust the beams correctly to obtain the best result.
B88HR

John Murch · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:02 am Post subject:

The lights on my WO have never had a dipping facility. I did get the latest
(At the time, about 2 years ago) LED bulbs which have only 2 leds and are much better than the earler multi led version.
I understand that proper dipping leds are now available.

Martin Webster · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 12:05 pm Post subject:

John, the LEDs I am using are dipping and work very well. However, to fit them your lamp unit must be of the BPF type.
ATB, Martin

Julian West · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 29 Location: Bayern, Germany

John and Martin please let me know where you obtained your LED headlight bulbs and their type designations.

Concerning side lights, as I do not currently have access to my WO, can anyone let me know the bulb base diameter and pin type (probably 180 deg. with no vertical offset).

John, thanks for letting me know about the lack of a dipping facility. as I thought it was only due to my ignorance that I have had to turn the headlights off in the face of oncoming traffic, even when it is pitch black.

Regards,

Julian

Martin Webster · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:31 am Post subject:

Julian, here is the link for Classic Dynamo and Regulator Conversions. They have a very comprehensive range and if you give them a ring or e mail them they are extremely helpful.
Martin
http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/

John Murch · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:51 am Post subject:

Julian, I bought my bulbs from the same place, I am currently abroad so can’t confirm the bulb size of the side lights,
I have set my lights up at a slightly raised ‘dip’ position, so rarely if ever get flashed, but as I dislike driving at night the problem of no ‘main beam’ has been no problem so far.
I suspect that most people have got dipping lights, as wiring is not a strong point with me, I have never bothered to make the changes, but it shouldn’t be difficult.

James O'Neil · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:29 am Post subject:

Julian, I have sent you a PM. Regards, James