S4 sidelight bulb type? (And LEDs!)

[JonB]

Had a search, couldn't find it.

Can anyone advise what type of bulb goes in the thimble shaped sidelight units on a Sprint DHC Elan, please? Just restoring mine and need some LEDs for them..

[RichardS]

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/search ... ix%5D=last

There is a list of LED equivalents for the Elan on the website.
I went for the bright white for the side lights, as I tend to have them on all the time as running lights so that I am more visible to others! The warm white probably look more “original”.

James (the proprietor) gives very helpful advice.

I have converted to LED brake lights and indicators as well, and very pleased with the additional brightness.

Richard

[Marky_Mark]

It’s a BA9 bulb.

I can also share a vote for classic car LEDs who supplied all the bulbs for my car. I had to compile the kit myself though.

[JonB]

BA9, gotcha.

Thanks!

I’ll be looking into LEDs in due course…

[tonyabacus]

Hello JonB
If you really want to know more about LED's the contact the guy below who has been involved both in the manufacture as well as talking with Government ministers on the needs of upgradingthe lighting on older cars, that suffer with poor lighting. To further the point earlier last year a classic car enthusiast was killed here in Cornwall driving a rare early VW Beetle with 6v lighting. The other driver claimed he did not see the VW as its lighting was so poor.

Gil has also been featured in classic car magazines and has now developed a range of LED lighting for a wide range of cars and as I have spoken with him, I know he is not only a mine of information, but happy to pass it on
Regards
Tony.

https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/the-4s ... ghting-co/
https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/

Gil Keane.
0121 773 7000
07973 216682 ---

[JonB]

Thanks Tony.

During the restoration of my S4 DHC, I have been cleaning and polishing the lights, testing as I go. I think they are very bright, even with the old bulbs, but that is when directly connected to a fully charged battery. I'll wager that many dim lights are caused by poor connections, dirty lenses or reflectors, and other "lack of proper maintenance" type issues. Honestly, I was very surprised at how bright they are. So, I will assemble the car with normal bulbs for now, knowing that I can easily upgrade later.

[RichardS]

My LEDs are definitely brighter (and more noticeable to other road users) than the originals, and I have had good earthing before and after changing!
As Tony mentions it is good to make oneself as visible as possible on todays busy roads.
As you say, easy enough to change at a later date.
Richard

[elanner]

On this side of the pond I've just done the thimble bulbs with these from http://www.superbrightleds.com:

BA9s LED Landscape Light Bulb - 4 LED - BA9s Retrofit - SKU: BA9S-W4-90-12VAC
Color Options: Cool 6500K
Beam Angle:90°
Price: $4.98

What's the latest situation with headlamps? My notes, from a thread some time ago, recommend Wipac Quadoptics (LHD without the pilot lights) model number S4695B; LR Defender. Has the state of the art moved on?

Nick

[JonB]

I’d prefer a warmer light than 6500k. A lot of these LEDs appear to be cold white, which look plain wrong on a 50 year old sports car. What’re the options there?

[elanner]

I’d prefer a warmer light than 6500k. A lot of these LEDs appear to be cold white, which look plain wrong on a 50 year old sports car. What’re the options there?

Yes, I agree, you're right. They are very white indeed. superbrightleds offers warmer temperatures (2700K, 3200K) but I figured that for ten bucks I'd see what something whiter looked like. They're definitely not easy to miss, which is the point of the exercise, but 3200K would be more in keeping and presumably equally effective.

Nick