Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ronniej]

I fitted LED lights on my ’38 Morris 8 last year. This was a comprehensive exercise including indicators and headlamps. I used the LED conversion within my “pork pie” rear lights which were fairly simple to fit.
Although I confirmed they were working I did not have the opportunity to evaluate them by way of running in the dark until last night.
I expect there may be some members considering a similar project and I thought my experience might be of interest.
My car has the original electrical system, i.e. 6 Volt 3 brush. With all the lights on, the dynamo output is barely able to cope and I have always been reluctant to undertake prolonged running in the dark on account of this.
With their significantly reduced power requirements the LEDs can be used without any fear of draining the battery. In addition, they are much brighter and I feel much safer, particularly from the rear which I had always felt was poorly lit.
Although I consider the experiment to be a success I will mention a couple of issues.
The headlights are single filament so they run on permanent dip and this might create some discussion as to their compliance with Construction and Use regulations.
However, I find the light output more than adequate for the capability of the car and consider the chance of upsetting Mr. Plod to be remote.
In addition, the front sidelights have a harsh very white light which is far less attractive than the warm glow from a tungsten bulb.
This would be a price worth paying in my opinion but I have resolved it by fitting an amber filter behind the lens which goes a long way to offset this.
The LEDs were bought from Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions 01522 703422. This company is run by an enthusiast who is well aware of all the issues around old car electrics.
I have no connection with this company other than a satisfied customer.

[roverdriver]

That is very useful information. Thanks for posting.
I have considered LED lights for some operations, but not for all lighting. I will have to see what is available here and try to work out the best way of doing things.
_________________
Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Rick]

A friend installed LEDs in his vintage car, prior to undertaking a night rally. One issue he had was that the light's beam pattern wasn't all that defined, so tended to give a wide scattering of light, rather than a clear beam. I'm not sure whether he's reverted back to the original bulbs or not now, I'll ask him next time we chat.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[peter scott]

Hi Ronnie,

If they give acceptable headlamp focus/spread then that does sound like a good conversion. Your bulb supplier doesn't do my single filament Bosch bulbs but I'll certainly look out for a supplier who does.

Peter
_________________
https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Ronniej]

Yes, it would be fair to say that the beam pattern is not all that good but the light is adequate for the car's performance.
By modern standards the lights are still poor but much better than what I previously had.
I would also remark that there was no problem with dazzling oncoming cars.

[petermeachem]

I don't think it is just my car but an Austin 7 dynamo doesn't keep up if you have the lights on. It might have done with a single rear light but add a couple more on the rear wings and you are stuffed. When I drove my car regularly I would drive on side lights as much as possible and did a good tour through any town en route again on side lights to charge the battery up again. The low power consumption of leds is hugely attractive.

[Ray White]

Not being inclined to take the Swallow out after dark I don't have to worry but I wondered if anyone with 6v halogen bulbs has converted to LEDs and are they as good?

[ukdave2002]

I did a bit of experimenting with LEDS, using the high power ones rather than the cluster that looks like a Christmas tree. The problem is not the power but the throw of the beam as Ronnie has pointed out. To throw the beam properly would involve changing both the reflector and the lens, they are available in the form of 7" lamps but not in other sizes.

Now all that said, my feelings are that one of the change to led objects was to be seen, which the LEDs really do ; just look at som of the cycle lamps that are around. So fitting them is a vast improvement.

If however you want to rally some fast night stages, you would be better advised to fit an alternator

Dave

[ka]

I whole heartedly support the use of LED lights, particularly if it allows you to be seen, but a word of warning. Should you be pulled over by the average Bobby, they may be more interested in the vehicle you are driving rather than the source of the lighting, but if you are unlucky to be pulled into one of the VOSA stations at the side of the road, they will take a different view. Vehicle use and construction regulations, state that LED replacements are for original equipment only, ie, if if was not a factory option, or fitted from new, then you are facing the alternative, and VOSA will know this Law.I have a friend who was pulled into one on the way home from an MOT, in a Moggy 1000. He expected to be all well, but during the journey a tail light had blown, so they issued a statutory penalty, and the points on his licence. They are merciless.
He, the bearer of bad news.............
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

[Ronniej]

As always, a number of interesting points have been raised.
LEDs are not a magic bullet that will solve all our lighting issues but they certainly offer some options.
The “pork pie” rear lights on my Morris had a heavy glass lens that reduced the light output significantly. Indeed I carried two bicycle LED lights that I could clip onto the rear bumper for the rare occasions that I used it in the dark.
I fitted the stop/tail/indicator light board with plastic lens offered by Vintage Dynamos.
I know this may not suit the purists but I am prepared to sacrifice a little originality for safety and usability.
The rear lights are now bright and conspicuous and the indicator flashes with a bright pulse instead of a feeble flicker. (A little difficult to describe but suffice it to say it is far more effective.)
If your concern is dynamo capacity and having your car visible then I believe replacing the existing side light bulbs with LEDs is a simple and relatively cheap option. The power saved in the sidelights would leave more available for the conventional headlights.
If you are concerned over the harsh white light at the front I have a little of the amber filter I referred to in my first post which I can share for the cost of a stamp.
Also, don’t forget that LED bulbs throw their light forward as opposed to tungsten ones which emit light all round. If the bulbs in your rear lamps sit sideways or up and down you may have to change the whole lamp.
The picture is not as clear with the headlamps themselves and, as Ka points out, there may be legal issues as well if you encounter a “jobsworth”.
(I met such an individual last week in another context and their capacity for stubborn stupidity seems to have no limits but that is another story.)
Incidentally, I have just had a look at the Vintage Dynamo website and I see their product range has increased and become cheaper since I bought mine.

[peter scott]

These might be a reasonable bet for side lights giving light both front and side. (Although I assume you need to be running with negative earth.)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Series-2-3-2x-382-1156-BA15s-8-LED-SMD-Bulbs-Warm-White-Side-Light/281596434155?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D4d8731553c434607806bd63cdeb46a00%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D181701739178

Peter
_________________
https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Ralphg]

Hi Ronniej, read your post with interest. I'm in the process of restoring a '35 Morris 8 and would like to get the LED's, do the Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions have an Email address as calling form South Africa is difficult. I've not heard of 6 volt globes available here.
Ralph

[Ronniej]

[Ralphg]

Hi Ronnie, many thanks for this, I'll certainly get hold them and see what I can do. My brother-in-law is coming out here in December, so maybe there's a chance of getting some globes.
I,m relatively new to the forum so can't find out how to insert a picture of the car. I found it in a barn in February 2014 and have been working on it since, now just have to get it started and running, hopefully before Xmas?? Ralph.

[Peter_L]

LED bulbs must have an E coding, marked on the bulb, to be legal on vehicles built after 1986.

Any light must comply with regulations with regard to mounting, colours and glare.