LED Bulbs

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:07 pm

Has anyone fitted any of these to their BX? & if so what benefits are there over standard monofiliment bulbs?

I was thinking of replacing the front headlight sidelight bulbs which i've always thought were too weak & thought the one's below might be a better bet as they are brighter & more efficient?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-BX-10 ... 588ec92f63

The Led's seem to be more expensive than normal bulbs, however, longer life, faster reaction times, lower power usage allied to a brighter output, are they worth doing for the rears, an example is below:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-BX-C3 ... 33562c71fc

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:02 pm

I've had mixed results with these type of drop-in bulbs. Whilst it is possible to get LED emitters of a comparable (and much greater) brightness than conventional bulbs, not all are. The fact they have to use many LEDs, when a single good quality one would be more than sufficient, is a bit of a clue - more is not always better! I've yet to find a stop/tail lamp I'm happy with (if I make it to Stratford and you are also coming you're welcome to try what I've bought), however I have some front sidelight LED bulbs which are noticeably brighter than the filament ones.

The stop/tail versions you've linked to appear visually similar to the least bright versions I have. I would think that these would be a better bet, as surface mount emitters tend to be more advanced than the epoxy cased ones. Although if they're not run at the optimum current, it matters little what LEDs you have!
Don't know about the front ones.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:53 am

Dont be tempted to put any in your dash pod, I tried, FAR too bright and half didnt work.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:16 am

The brightness will depend on the type actually purchased - I've got a set in the dash on the van and they are about equal to the old bulbs. As for the half that didn't work, did you try putting them in the other way round?

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:58 pm

I thought LED bulbs where illegal unless they carried the relevant kite mark as they wont be type approved (ie made to a standard that meets requirements for light emmision both in a striaght line and at an angle?).

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:08 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:The brightness will depend on the type actually purchased - I've got a set in the dash on the van and they are about equal to the old bulbs. As for the half that didn't work, did you try putting them in the other way round?

I did, even so they were far too bright so I replaced them.

mds141 · Post by **mds141** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:01 pm

I have used LED bulbs in the tailight for the past year or so. Noticeably brighter. Had to enlarge the aperture on the bulb holder slightly with a dremmel. Prefer the warmer light of the filament bulb in the front sidelights.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:05 pm

I'll give your bulbs a go at Stratty Matt

I can then decide whether its worth the bother or not. No idea about the legalities Vanny, i presumed probably wrongly that if i purchased them from a firm that does car bulbs, then they would only be selling me legal one's

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:15 am

It used to be that they had 'for show use only' plastered all over the eBay adverts, but they don't seem to anymore. Whether thats simply because the powers that be have turned a blind eye, or that they have become legal i don't know.

Years ago i put some on a trailer that used to blow a blub once a month. After putting LED's in i never saw another duff bulb. Must have saved a good few quid in the long run!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:26 am

I don't know specifically about the legality, but AFAIK the requirement (to be E marked?) still stands. The ones which only emit light in a single direction (rearwards) I can't see would pass and IMO are downright dangerous as you can hardly see them unless you look that them dead on, as they make no use of the reflector.

mike22861 · Post by **mike22861** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:38 pm

I fitted my landrover with LED side and tail lights MOT tester failed it had to put ordinary bulbs in for the MOT then change them back to LEDs
My Gti has green LED dash bulbs in, pain in the proverbial trying them then swapping them round to get the polarity right . Much brighter and the clock is now visible in daylight if you have the lights on.

Willy · Post by **Willy** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:32 pm

I think it's a wise idea to stay away from LED bulbs unless your car was designed for them (ie daytime running lights). Look on ebay - not one H4 type bulb mentions their legality (also the price is strange - bulbs for £1? Good LEDs are hugely expensive). People do use them however - they're easy to recognise on the motorway as you get blinded from behind.

With regards to tail-lights, think how annoying it is being behind somebody with their foot on the brake pedal, again irritating brightness.

It's a shame as LEDs are so much more durable, reactive and efficient than incandescents - but until approved types start appearing I think they're still confined to 17 year olds doing handbrake turns in car parks.

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:01 am

/\ totally agree with Willy , this is exactly what I wanted to say on the subject but couldn't think how to.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:48 pm

many new cars have extremely bright LED brake lights, and indeed they are painfull and dazzling if you are behind in a queue of traffic, especially at night in the rain.

I don't know why they were approved as they reduce your vision of other road users, such as unlit pedestrians. I use my sunvisor to reduce the glare.

A filament bulb is plenty bright enough in this application.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:09 pm

What I find most annoying is the method of controlling the brightness of LEDs on some modern cars. The seem to use pulse width modulation of such a low frequency that it's actually visible as a kind of flicker/shimmer. Especially when they apparently haven't ticked the options box to have a handbrake installed...