Legal LED

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Asw
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Legal LED

Post by Asw »

Hi
Can anyone recommend a legal (MOT passing) set lol LED headlights for a 1981 van?
Ultimately, are we not all air cooled?
1981 Devon Moonraker, CU engine

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Mocki
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Re: Legal LED

Post by Mocki »

Read this

http://greyhead.co.uk/are-aftermarket-h ... ncps5vewv0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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."

It is NOT Just the actual headlight units , but you must have headlight washers and the vehicle needs headlight levelling
No T25 has levelling from the factory ....
retrofitting led bulbs to original headlights is definitely NOT legal ever
That said, there will be plenty who will come on to say they have led headlights and passed mot no problem ... that is very different to being legal ,
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

Asw
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Re: Legal LED

Post by Asw »

Thank you for the wise words.
I will go back to plan A. A nice new set of headlights so the reflectors actually reflect and some high output bulbs. Let’s be honest life expectancy isn’t a big concern. My night running is minimal. I just want to be able to see when we’re running late and can’t find the campsite.
Ultimately, are we not all air cooled?
1981 Devon Moonraker, CU engine

ash1293
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Re: Legal LED

Post by ash1293 »


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.
 


Strictly speaking could it be taken that the self levelling etc is only required for HID not LED?

When fitting led replacement lamps you are not retrofitting led into an existing light unit so may get around the legal issues that way. I have some led lamps which are a flat top cut off without the kick up - beam pattern is good and passed MOT without any issue.
1990 1.9DG 34DAT carb Leisuredrive hightop

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