Rossy

Active Member
What a nightmere....changed all the External Bulbs for LED and as such had to buy the LED flasher unit...all was fine....
Then started to change the Warning light Bulbs for led....(Clocks already had them)
BAT charge
OIL Light
Indicator etc...
and lost HAZARDS and turn lights altogether??
Found an iffy fuse connection so fixed that...however..the GREEN turn signal light on dash needs to be a normal bulb!! LED will only flash left or only flash right (depends which way you put it in) as the +- changes on direction....-+ then +-etc...
I think this may have messed with the LED flasher too....ended up chasing my tail a bit....put the old flasher in (And two normal indicator Bulbs) and got the hazards and turn working but then found the LED bulb issue above....so this may have effected the workings of the LED flasher?
Will have to check tomoz...but thought I'd post.
 
When an owner decides it's time to change to LEDs on their vehicle, there are a number of things which need to be considered.
First, as @danny6801 has already said, LEDs are polarity conscious. under normal conditions this is of very little bother, the wiring can be easily reversed at the bulbholder when the replacement LED is fitted.
The next problem, and it can become quite a vexing trouble is all about the indicators. The original indicator circuit uses filament bulbs which draw enough current to operate the flasher relay properly. The old flasher relay uses a "bi-metalic strip" which bends slightly as it heats while the lamp is glowing. It continues to bend until the contact breaks and the current stops, the lamp goes out, the bi-metalic strip cools and straightens out remaking the contact starting over again. The LED replacements don't draw anything like enough current to make the flasher relay work.
So, you're now faced with trying to sort out the flash rate, along with the hazard flashers which tends to be a bit of an add-on circuit and it can all get quite fraught. You try to change the relay, but have you got the right one? And so on.
There is an easier way, but it all depends on why you want to change to LEDs, If it's because they look nicer or because they are probably more robust than a wire filament strung between two electrical poles, or because you want an easier way to do it, then the resistor method could be for you. If it's for some misguided belief that by reducing the current drain on the battery by fitting LEDs in the indicators, well, I suppose it's back to changing relays for you.
The resistor method involves wiring some big resistors in parallel with or across the LEDs at the bulbholder to convince the original flasher relay that it's still working with filament bulbs. There is one downside, you lose the rapid blink fault alert if a bulb blows, but because LEDs are very much more robust than filaments you're unlikely to even notice.
The resistor method is also very useful for vehicles like the Disco 2 where there are a number of relays in very awkward places to get the hazard flashers working.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Pieces-LED-Indicator-50W-6-Flash-Rate-Relay-Load-Resistor-Bulbs-Ballast-NEW-/171396959845?hash=item27e80e0e65:g:HskAAOSwWnFV-iey
 
Although a computer Manager by trade I'm a quolified City and Guilds Electrical Engineer too!! :) LED stands for Light Emitting "Diode", a "diode" will only let a current/Voltage pass in one direction...this I know...
What point I was trying to make was on the DASH lights...something owners my not think would have an effect on things...I knew if I changed the lights (Indicators) to LED I have the issue with the flasher unit hense buying one...but did not think the bulb on the dash could stop things from working...Now I've got a normal bulb in the dash I'll try the LED Flasher again....I got the one thats has adjustable speed but was the cheapest.....already ordered a LUCAS one too.
All my light lenses are clear and have relivant coloured LEDs as I think it looks cool!
Hoping to get out for a drive in itlater today.....just got re-trim around new back windows....seats to fit back and bits then done....so some more pics to go up soon.
 
I still don't know why you'd bother changing all the bulbs in a Defender for LED's.
It just makes for more hassle and more trouble if it stops working.
If you want a modern vehicle with up to date electronics, why not just buy a Discovery 4.
l think l've changed three or four panel light bulbs in ten years of Defender driving.
And a few exterior bulbs of course....but it only takes a minute.
 
I still don't know why you'd bother changing all the bulbs in a Defender for LED's.
It just makes for more hassle and more trouble if it stops working.
If you want a modern vehicle with up to date electronics, why not just buy a Discovery 4.
l think l've changed three or four panel light bulbs in ten years of Defender driving.
And a few exterior bulbs of course....but it only takes a minute.

I changed to LED on my TD5 and didn't have any issues, the lights are brighter and look good and it was cheaper than buying a Discovery 4 ; - )
 
I've never seen the point either really.
I fitted NAS style front and rear side lights and indicators 12 yrs ago. They are really bright, I can see quite well in the dark with just the side lights on!
Still the same bulbs too, never had one blow. If I had to park up, engine off, side lights on for long periods I would use Led but can see no benefit for indicator's at all.
 
Its a land rover and its yours so do what you want.

At work most of the trucks and trailers are now led some are polarity sensitive and others not, dont know how they do it, I just know how to fit them!
 

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