Needing some advice from you guys.
Whilst repairing (completely rebuilding) the body tub of my Spitfire I decided to change the back lights and front indicators. I plan to use LED's which I bought of a company on ebay.
They are 8mm 45 degree illumination and have built in resistors to make them run of 12v for use on vehicles.
What I need to know what are the rules for lights in the uk, is there a minimum diameter for light, do they have to be cover with a lens.
I plan to have them flush as possible with the body.
My main idea is to have a 80mm circle with leds round the edge for rear light then in the center have the leds for the brake light.
The a second 80 mm circle withe amber LEDS round the outside for indicators then clear in the center for reverse lights.
Cheers
Chris
Tail Lights & inicators
Moderator: phpBB2 - Administrators
It basically all comes down to age for what regs you need to cover. If the car is new enough then the lights have to be E marked but that's unlikely if its your trumpet. Not sure if a single ring would be enough as it depends on the light output of the LED's. As for cover, I don't think you would have to but it would be advisable. LED's are pretty tough but it wouldn't be a good idea having them exposed to the weather.
I don't know if you got any extra but if you did you might want to try scuffing one with a bit wet and dry. It defuses the light a lot better making the visible angle greater. I changed all my dash lights over to LED and doing this made the gauges have a nice glow instead of a hard point of light. Another thing to check is are they car rated or just 12v. If they are 12v they will fail quick as a car runs at around 14v.
I don't know if you got any extra but if you did you might want to try scuffing one with a bit wet and dry. It defuses the light a lot better making the visible angle greater. I changed all my dash lights over to LED and doing this made the gauges have a nice glow instead of a hard point of light. Another thing to check is are they car rated or just 12v. If they are 12v they will fail quick as a car runs at around 14v.
Cheers Mark
The LED's are car rated.
I have a few spare clear ones so I scuff one of them up and see how it looks.
I might make one up and see how it looks. How would I go about measuring the output.
Just thinking anything would be better than the dim lights that were on the car originally.
The LED's are car rated.
I have a few spare clear ones so I scuff one of them up and see how it looks.
I might make one up and see how it looks. How would I go about measuring the output.
Just thinking anything would be better than the dim lights that were on the car originally.
It's taken longer than I thought !!
they should be rated in MCD by the supplier. An example is http://www.led1.de/shop/index.php?cName ... 72fd97d916 you will see the are rated for example 14000 mcd
-
kev_the_mole
- Forum Contributor
- Posts: 1022
- Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:41 pm
- Location: Las Islas Purbequias
Chris,
I went through the same thing with the Healey. You can see the hoops I jumped through at http://www.v-8.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=841 (pages 5 onwards). I went with discrete components and 5mm leds because I have only one light per side on the rear it has to do all three functions (side, stop and turn). After much buggering about I found some US motorcycle lights that did exactly (near enough) what i needed as below
The lights are 1.85" in diameter and contain 48 super bright LEDs. The outer ring contains 24 Amber LEDS while all 24 inner LEDs are dual intensity Red. On the car they look pretty awesome and are so bright you don't want to look at them too long!
If you need any red/amber Perspex filter sheet or the obscured stuff in my pictures then let me know and I'll send you some.
Cheers,
Ian
I went through the same thing with the Healey. You can see the hoops I jumped through at http://www.v-8.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=841 (pages 5 onwards). I went with discrete components and 5mm leds because I have only one light per side on the rear it has to do all three functions (side, stop and turn). After much buggering about I found some US motorcycle lights that did exactly (near enough) what i needed as below
The lights are 1.85" in diameter and contain 48 super bright LEDs. The outer ring contains 24 Amber LEDS while all 24 inner LEDs are dual intensity Red. On the car they look pretty awesome and are so bright you don't want to look at them too long!
If you need any red/amber Perspex filter sheet or the obscured stuff in my pictures then let me know and I'll send you some.
Cheers,
Ian
It's an engine Jim.....but not as we know it
-
Ian Anderson
- Forum Contributor
- Posts: 2448
- Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:46 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
Next time you are out driving have a look at new truck (articulated) trailer lights
A lot of them are now on round "hamburger" lights (I would think 4 inch but could be less) in led units and they look very neat (flat and the cases were also not deep (Ok I should pay more attention to the road) I was considering them for the 40 but never took it further
Or have a look at the franken healey thread - he made some nice units from a Harley set.
Also worth checking out a bike store near you - they normally hav many after market lights in (ready made and weather sealed) and athey are SVA compliant E marked (I know I used some micto indicator units for front indicators
Also check your indicator flasher - normally set for a certain wattage - the LEd are low wattage and can send te speed out of the required 30 - 120 times per minute.
IAn
A lot of them are now on round "hamburger" lights (I would think 4 inch but could be less) in led units and they look very neat (flat and the cases were also not deep (Ok I should pay more attention to the road) I was considering them for the 40 but never took it further
Or have a look at the franken healey thread - he made some nice units from a Harley set.
Also worth checking out a bike store near you - they normally hav many after market lights in (ready made and weather sealed) and athey are SVA compliant E marked (I know I used some micto indicator units for front indicators
Also check your indicator flasher - normally set for a certain wattage - the LEd are low wattage and can send te speed out of the required 30 - 120 times per minute.
IAn
Owner of an "On the Road" GT40 Replica by DAX powered by 3.9Hotwre Efi, worked over by DJ Motors. EFi Working but still does some kangaroo at low revs (Damn the speed limits) In to paint shop 18/03/08.
-
Ian Anderson
- Forum Contributor
- Posts: 2448
- Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:46 pm
- Location: Edinburgh
I like the lights on the Healey.
If i bugger up making my own I'll track down a set of the Harley lights and take it from there.
Going to make a trial light over the next few days just to see what they look like and see if they are bright enough.
Keep you fingers crossed.
If i bugger up making my own I'll track down a set of the Harley lights and take it from there.
Going to make a trial light over the next few days just to see what they look like and see if they are bright enough.
Keep you fingers crossed.
It's taken longer than I thought !!
