jwrrc · Oct 23, 2021

So, when I bought my Classic the person who drove me to get it followed me home in moderately heavy rain. On arrival, he told me the rear lights were dim enough he'd only been able to see the registration plate, not the lights.
I've replaced the bulbs, and cleaned up the contacts, but they don't seem to be particularly bright. Now, I suspect that's because I've been spoiled by LEDs on everyone else's car, but given how fond I am of the Classic now, I'd very much rather no one ran into the back of me. Sadly, I'm not really old enough that I can get away with sticking the fog light on every time there's a bit of drizzle.

Long pre-amble but, the point is, I'd like to fit a nice bright LED to the tail / brake light fitting. Most standard LEDs aren't suitable, as they don't have the same functionality of dual filament bulbs.
Has anyone swapped their incandescent bulbs for LEDs where it needs a dual filament? If so, how'd it go? Would you recommend it? Any tips on good LED replacements?

Thanks in advance!

Western Slope Rover · Oct 23, 2021

Don't try it. There are so many variables involved with an old Range Rover. It's spooky.
You could open up a black hole or something. Really.

jwrrc · Oct 23, 2021

Western Slope Rover said:
Don't try it. There are so many variables involved with an old Range Rover. It's spooky.
You could open up a black hole or something. Really.

An excellent point, maybe I'll try to find a better incandescent. I've used Lucas ones to date, which may be the source of the problem

kermit_rr · Oct 23, 2021

If the contacts are good, the reflectors are good and the earths are good the standard lights should be just fine. Worth checking the inside of the lenses aren't dirty

kermit_rr · Oct 23, 2021

jwrrc said:
An excellent point, maybe I'll try to find a better incandescent. I've used Lucas ones to date, which may be the source of the problem

I doubt it's a bulb problem

jwrrc · Oct 23, 2021

kermit_rr said:
If the contacts are good, the reflectors are good and the earths are good the standard lights should be just fine. Worth checking the inside of the lenses aren't dirty

They weren't immaculate, but they were clean enough not to be causing a problem. Had them off today and got rid of the little bit of grime accumulated at the bottom, but that's the wrong end to be my issue.

I think they probably are fine, but modern lights are so bright compared to older cars, I just thought it might be a good idea to upgrade them.

kermit_rr · Oct 23, 2021

Lights should be somewhat standard, otherwise you'd mistake tail lights for brake lights and dazzle other road users

jwrrc · Oct 23, 2021

kermit_rr said:
Lights should be somewhat standard, otherwise you'd mistake tail lights for brake lights and dazzle other road users

Not to sound too old, but the lights on modern cars are pretty dazzling! Even dipped beam on an unlit lane is blinding.

I'll get back to my worthers originals now

kermit_rr · Oct 23, 2021

jwrrc said:
Not to sound too old, but the lights on modern cars are pretty dazzling! Even dipped beam on an unlit lane is blinding.

I'll get back to my worthers originals now

Don't get me started on headlights!!

jwrrc · Oct 23, 2021

kermit_rr said:
Don't get me started on headlights!!

Absurdly bright, blue-white headlights on every car. What could go wrong?

frog hopper · Oct 24, 2021

I put some led's on Buttercup, but only on the front sidelights and the reversing lights, both of which are fine and a vast improvement.
There is no way I'd be faffing about with indicators or brake lights though.

Datatek · Oct 24, 2021

The lumens of side, tail & indicator bulbs are supposed to comply with the construction and use regs. If your bulbs are dim, bad earths are a common cause, as LED's draw less current, they will be bright even with a bad earth.

RangeRoller dt · Oct 24, 2021

+1 bad earths. Can you check what voltage they are getting when on?
Try Osram bulbs they are great, I would consider them an upgrade. I’m with you on the modern LED units, blind everyone absolute abomination. The new new RRs have AI on the LED headlights that adjust not to blind people, which is pretty much admitting the problem.
Also get irate at the new indicators that sweep sideways.

kermit_rr · Oct 24, 2021

RangeRoller dt said:
+1 bad earths. Can you check what voltage they are getting when on?
Try Osram bulbs they are great, I would consider them an upgrade. I’m with you on the modern LED units, blind everyone absolute abomination. The new new RRs have AI on the LED headlights that adjust not to blind people, which is pretty much admitting the problem.
Also get irate at the new indicators that sweep sideways.

There's no legislation on indicators, only max number of flashes per min but then most folks don't use them anymore so somewhere irrelevant

Datatek · Oct 24, 2021

kermit_rr said:
There's no legislation on indicators, only max number of flashes per min but then most folks don't use them anymore so somewhere irrelevant

You sure about that? I thought there was a minimum surface area for the lens and a specific light output ie a 21 watt bulb?

RangeRoller dt · Oct 24, 2021

I thought they were to flash only. Same with beacons. Same as like I saw a guy other day with a 3 letter reg plate. Must of cost fortune, probably legitimately registered but not technically legit.

kermit_rr · Oct 24, 2021

Datatek said:
You sure about that? I thought there was a minimum surface area for the lens and a specific light output ie a 21 watt bulb?

I might be wrong but i couldn't find anything else. They have to be visible in an MOT

jwrrc · Oct 24, 2021

kermit_rr said:
There's no legislation on indicators, only max number of flashes per min but then most folks don't use them anymore so somewhere irrelevant

They're an optional extra on Audis and BMWs aren't they? Must be an expensive one too give how many don't have them

jwrrc · Oct 24, 2021

RangeRoller dt said:
+1 bad earths. Can you check what voltage they are getting when on?
Try Osram bulbs they are great, I would consider them an upgrade. I’m with you on the modern LED units, blind everyone absolute abomination. The new new RRs have AI on the LED headlights that adjust not to blind people, which is pretty much admitting the problem.
Also get irate at the new indicators that sweep sideways.

Will do, but I'll wait for a day when it's not rainy. The other lights in the cluster seem perfectly bright enough, so maybe a switch to Osram bulbs for the tail / brake lights will help

Ratae · Oct 24, 2021

If you want to try LEDs don't bother with the ones that are red.
Had a brief play some years ago with stop/tail on mine & they were rubbish.
Haven't tried the normal white LEDs so can't comment on them.

Had full battery voltage at the bulb & connecting earth at light unit directly to battery neg (long leads with a small crocodile clip at both ends, a tool from my Reliant Scimitar owning days) made no difference.

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