Club 80-90 Forums

Yes, we have turned this combination on at the AOS and the difference was quite impresive.

Here a Pic how they look on Highbeam:



And here a Beamshot from my Van, the lights are not perfect adjusted, a bit to high...


this is Lowbeam of course.

Stephan

so are we saying, its "ok" to replace the side lights, reverse lights etc with LEDs, but not the main head lights yet due to insurance/safety/glare concerns?

Legislation in the UK (as it stands) is: You can only fit what your vehicle came equpped with or approved by vehicle manufacturer and must be marked as required under vehicle legislation. Almost 99% of the LED stuff sold on ebay would not meet that criteria and almost as much is very poor quality. UK-based sellers of LED bulbs (same stuff but sold here) are required to state 'for offroad use only" or "for indoor use" - the same with higher wattage halogens. Repuptable sellers do just that to cover themselves.

But, in the real world thats not happening with some. You make your own mind up.

LED lights can be fantastic but, for instance, our light lenses were not designed for lights that are more directional. LEDs are far more directional. Lenses for LEDs are designed differently to create greater coverage. Its not all about brightness. Like I say, make your own mind up. LED technology moving much faster that regs can be implemented.

Significantly if you asked those that set the rules, the answer would probably be "if approved" which is ambiguous so you're only left with the legislation that still talks in terms of bulbs at 21 watt, which says no. New cars don't have this issue.

You are absolut right.

Thats the reason we fitted a complete Headlight that is E-signed and not a bulb.

What you see on the Pics is absolut Streetlegal ( over here and in the UK) so you will not have any trouble with the coppers or your insurance ( or from your Opponent).

@ Epiphone: over here it isnt legal to fit any kind of light that is not E-signed. Not on the sides, not on the rear and, dont laugh about it, not inside. ( I dont believe anybody cares about your Dashboard, but its a Problem when you go for the next TÙV).

Stephan

Spot on Stephan. E-marked will suffice, certainly during MOT and providing you're not dazzling anyone you should be left in peace. The 'if approved' would therefore apply, even if the legislation is behind.

My can has just failed its Mot because of clear Led lights. It's not the light itself that's the issue it's the glass over it not directing the light properly. Having to source some old ones now so we can get her back on the road

Holy thread resurrection, Batman !

Have a read of this !
Ledheadlights

http://greyhead.co.uk/are-aftermarket-h ... ncps5vewv0

In the Department for Transport's (DfT) view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID or LED lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenonor LED .If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.
 
The following is the legal rationale: The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK. Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.
 
However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply with European type approval regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These approvals relate to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (lighting installation on the vehicle). For the aftermarket, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because this only applies to new vehicles. However DfT does not think it reasonable simply to ban HID in the aftermarket. Instead the Department makes analogies with new vehicles. It seems reasonable to require HID in the aftermarket to meet the same safety standards as those for new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.
Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the aftermarket should:
 
* be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component;
* when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place); and
* comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
 
In practice this means:
 
* The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this.  That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. - who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
* Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
*  
* The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly in the same way as any other headlamp.
*  
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
 
In summary: it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above."

Necromancy at its best