LED Lamps (bulbs)

[chrisbeck]

I've just fitted replacement LED lamps on my S4 Elan, very pleased with the results and can highly recommend Classic Car LED's in Bristol, owned by Duncan Rickards. (www.classiccarleds.co.uk) Great advice, real quality lamps, free overnight postage. I replaced the interior festoon lamps with warm white LED's which you can rotate in the holder to give you the desired effect. They run cold and pull minimal current but are quicker and brighter. I had to change the indicator relay to suit the lower current but they can supply these.
Chris

[KevJ+2]

When I MOT'd my car, the examiner found that my LED high level brake light was on with my side lights and came up brighter when the brakes were applied. He didn't fail it as he had no reason to see the high level light as a brake light only
When I got home I swapped the LED rear side/brake bulbs for the old twin filament type and the problem was cured. I assume the LEDs somehow fed back into the brake circuit causing the third light to also come up brighter when activated...Strange!

[John Larkin]

I replaced all of my instrument bulbs with LEDs a few years ago, including the ignition warning/charging bulb. This was a big mistake. Apparently the alternator senses the battery voltage via the ignition warning light circuit, and requires an incandescent bulb that permits current to flow in either direction. LED bulbs permit current flow in one direction only, and my Elan failed to proceed while on holiday. Re-installing the old wire filament bulb cured the problem.

[Sea Ranch]

Can anyone suggest a place to buy the small and medium glass base bulbs that are in the instruments?

Thanks,

Randy

[rcraven]

Probably slightly off the point, but at mains voltages household LEDs can sometimes flash repeatedly even when turned off. This is a rare but recognised phenomenon (Google it) which can occur when for instance multi-strand wiring is used to install two way switches for lights (e.g. switches at the top and bottom of stairs, or in my case at different sides of a large room). It's been suggested that capacitance or maybe inductance between the wires can cause a sufficient charge to build up in the "dead" wire to make the LED come on; that then discharges the charge and the light goes out and the process then repeats it self. It happened with me when I replaced the incandescent spot lamps in my kitchen with LEDs. I've had to re-install one of the old lamps to stop it happening.

I doubt it would happen with 12 volt lighting, but you never know, and it shows LEDs aren't always a workable substitute for incandescent bulbs.

[Stevie-Heathie]

There is some uncertainty as to whether LED bulbs are strictly speaking road legal, in that they are not European type certified (CE) for vehicular use. My LED bulbs have no certification markings at all. Suggest you advise your insurance company they have been fitted to prevent any nasty surprises later on should you need to make a claim.

Best
Steve

[holywood3645]

I also have consider this.
Can we develop a list of compatible LED lights and manufacturers part No.s ?

James

[chrisbeck]

Can anyone suggest a place to buy the small and medium glass base bulbs that are in the instruments?

Thanks,

Randy

Classic Car LED's have capless instrument lamps in various colours Randy, but note the warning above from John Larkin about changing the charging lamp. Chris

[chrisbeck]

There is some uncertainty as to whether LED bulbs are strictly speaking road legal, in that they are not European type certified (CE) for vehicular use. My LED bulbs have no certification markings at all. Suggest you advise your insurance company they have been fitted to prevent any nasty surprises later on should you need to make a claim.

Best
Steve

Steve, The ones I fitted are CE and ROHS approved and marked as such, not sure if that approves them for specific applications. I have no connection with Classic Car LED's.
Chris