Three Cheers for the BeCM

awillemsen · Sep 14, 2012

Had a service yesterday and an MoT booked for today. This morning, started the car up and got a message - RH brake bulb failure. Quick change of bulb and (hopefully) no MoT fail.

Oh, and a question. I was thinking of changing the high level brake bulbs to LEDs. Anyone done this? I presume I don't need special bulbs or anything, because the BeCM does not warn when they fail?

Bix · Sep 14, 2012

I imagine the key thing would be don't buy cheap ones. The lack of fuses could cause issues otherwise.

dogsbody · Sep 14, 2012

I tried this but found that decent LED bulbs wouldn't fit through the holes and the ones that did fit gave worse light than the standard bulbs.
Too much hassle, not enough return.

Mind you I have thought of mounting an LED strip across the top of the window, a bit like a Bentley, but that can wait till the next time I'm bored.

wammers · Sep 14, 2012

What's wrong with the standard high level stops. Why go to all that trouble to replace something that's working as it should?

awillemsen · Sep 14, 2012

wammers said:
What's wrong with the standard high level stops. Why go to all that trouble to replace something that's working as it should?

Nothing wrong with the standard setup. But, having followed SWMBO several times, it would be good if the lights came on quicker and brighter. Another alternative would be to get something like the Halfords "Quick Response" bulbs...

wammers · Sep 14, 2012

awillemsen said:
Nothing wrong with the standard setup. But, having followed SWMBO several times, it would be good if the lights came on quicker and brighter. Another alternative would be to get something like the Halfords "Quick Response" bulbs...

The lights will only come on when she puts the brakes on. Leccy travels at around 186,000 miles a second. It should not take too long for the lamps to light over ten foot. Maybe she is the last of the late brakers.

Bix · Sep 15, 2012

LED bulbs do turn on quicker than conventional bulbs. If you follow a vehicle with a LED high level and conventional bulbs on the corners you can see a the LEDs light up a tad faster. According the the EU this makes your reaction times smaller in an emergency.

That said, the speeds you need to be going at for it to make a difference. You're still going to have a crash. But at least you're aware of it a fraction earlier than if they had normal bulbs in the high level.

wammers · Sep 15, 2012

Bix said:
LED bulbs do turn on quicker than conventional bulbs. If you follow a vehicle with a LED high level and conventional bulbs on the corners you can see a the LEDs light up a tad faster. According the the EU this makes your reaction times smaller in an emergency.

That said, the speeds you need to be going at for it to make a difference. You're still going to have a crash. But at least you're aware of it a fraction earlier than if they had normal bulbs in the high level.

Bit of a numb idea to me, don't follow too close. Keep a safe distance, does that not make more sense? Like electricery light travels at 186,000 miles a second, whether your ten feet behind or a hundred feet. It will get to your eyes eventually. It's just that one gives you a chance the other no chance. So if leds light up 5 nano seconds quicker that will save the day, bit nonsensical to me that argument.

awillemsen · Sep 15, 2012

wammers said:
Maybe she is the last of the late brakers.

How did you know?

Bix · Sep 15, 2012

wammers said:
Bit of a numb idea to me, don't follow too close. Keep a safe distance, does that not make more sense? Like electricery light travels at 186,000 miles a second, whether your ten feet behind or a hundred feet. It will get to your eyes eventually. It's just that one gives you a chance the other no chance. So if leds light up 5 nano seconds quicker that will save the day, bit nonsensical to me that argument.

That was my argument when I first heard the logic behind it. Leave a gap so if a person in front comes to an abrupt halt you can stop without leaving a LR badge imprinted in the back of their car. No need for silly LED bulbs, just sensible driving. The lights may come on quicker, doesn't mean braking distances are reduced.

Of course the majority of road users seem to think if you leave a gap that means "overtake and fill my safety buffer". Maybe you* can stop on a dime Mr Audi driver, but I cannot. Your fancy LED brake lights aren't going to save your car when you have to stop in a hurry and the truck you just cut in front of cannot stop, you deserve everything you get.

* Not directed at anyone on here, but the cock we've all come across. If by chance anyone reading this feels it was directed at them, then chances are it was because you are one of those cocks, in which case I hope you die in a fireball with "SCANIA" embedded in your thick skull.

blue beasty · Sep 15, 2012

wammers said:
Bit of a numb idea to me, don't follow too close. Keep a safe distance, does that not make more sense? Like electricery light travels at 186,000 miles a second, whether your ten feet behind or a hundred feet. It will get to your eyes eventually. It's just that one gives you a chance the other no chance. So if leds light up 5 nano seconds quicker that will save the day, bit nonsensical to me that argument.

Reckon tis just silly sales jargon for the gullable and those looking for an excuse to bling up

Ryder · Sep 15, 2012

Bix said:
That was my argument when I first heard the logic behind it. Leave a gap so if a person in front comes to an abrupt halt you can stop without leaving a LR badge imprinted in the back of their car. No need for silly LED bulbs, just sensible driving. The lights may come on quicker, doesn't mean braking distances are reduced.

Of course the majority of road users seem to think if you leave a gap that means "overtake and fill my safety buffer". Maybe you* can stop on a dime Mr Audi driver, but I cannot. Your fancy LED brake lights aren't going to save your car when you have to stop in a hurry and the truck you just cut in front of cannot stop, you deserve everything you get.

* Not directed at anyone on here, but the cock we've all come across. If by chance anyone reading this feels it was directed at them, then chances are it was because you are one of those cocks, in which case I hope you die in a fireball with "SCANIA" embedded in your thick skull.

Stop beating about the bush and say what you think!

wammers · Sep 15, 2012

blue beasty said:
Reckon tis just silly sales jargon for the gullable and those looking for an excuse to bling up

It's amazing how many millions of pounds worth of ****e is sold because people believe the bumff. If you believe the crap that's put out you could spend £500.00 at the local accessory shop, use an egg cup full of fuel a week and get 75 Bhp. Kevin in his Corsa believe this, i would have thought anyone who owns a Range Rover would have a little more sense.

blue beasty · Sep 15, 2012

wammers said:
It's amazing how many millions of pounds worth of ****e is sold because people believe the bumff. If you believe the crap that's put out you could spend £500.00 at the local accessory shop, use an egg cup full of fuel a week and get 75 Bhp. Kevin in his Corsa believe this, i would have thought anyone who owns a Range Rover would have a little more sense.

The quality and advice of butlers isn't what it used to be

wammers · Sep 16, 2012

blue beasty said:
The quality and advice of butlers isn't what it used to be

I was forced to let mine go when he was caught with his dick in the bacon slicer. She got a warning as well.

Datatek · Sep 16, 2012

I would bet a few quid that no one without an oscilloscope or other test gear could detect the difference in lighting up time between a LED and a tungsten fillament bulb. As Wammers said you are talking micro or nano seconds if anything.

Most of my house is now lit with LED's to save on the electricity, they react in exactly the same way as normal lamps. Don't forget, every LED has a resistance in series with it or an electronic voltage regulator to reduce the 12 volt car voltage to the working voltage of an LED.

StuckAgainSteve · Sep 16, 2012

Datatek said:
I would bet a few quid that no one without an oscilloscope or other test gear could detect the difference in lighting up time between a LED and a tungsten fillament bulb. As Wammers said you are talking micro or nano seconds if anything.

I must have a faster metabolism! I can clearly see the difference in light up time between LED strip brake lights and the normal bulbs that lag behind.

I fitted "fast response" bulbs to my RR, changing just one of the brake lights and then getting someone to press the pedal I could see the difference in light up time -again the differance is probably not as marked as with LEDs.

Datatek · Sep 16, 2012

StuckAgainSteve said:
I must have a faster metabolism! I can clearly see the difference in light up time between LED strip brake lights and the normal bulbs that lag behind.

I fitted "fast response" bulbs to my RR, changing just one of the brake lights and then getting someone to press the pedal I could see the difference in light up time -again the differance is probably not as marked as with LEDs.

The only possible reason I can think of is that the the volt drop in the wiring feeding the higher current to the tungsten lamps. Might be an indication of a bad earth or corroded connector somewhere.

wammers · Sep 16, 2012

StuckAgainSteve said:
I must have a faster metabolism! I can clearly see the difference in light up time between LED strip brake lights and the normal bulbs that lag behind.

I fitted "fast response" bulbs to my RR, changing just one of the brake lights and then getting someone to press the pedal I could see the difference in light up time -again the differance is probably not as marked as with LEDs.

Think you have a vivid imagination.

wammers · Sep 16, 2012

Datatek said:
The only possible reason I can think of is that the the volt drop in the wiring feeding the higher current to the tungsten lamps. Might be an indication of a bad earth or corroded connector somewhere.

Think we are in the realms of Scifi here Keith. Next will be a microwave bed so you can get a full nights sleep in ten minutes.

Three Cheers for the BeCM

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