↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Technical > LED headlight globes
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 3 123>
Print this entire topic · 
PAT303



Member Since: 25 Feb 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 123

Australia 1998 Defender 110 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
LED headlight globes
I've ordered a new pair of high crystal headlights for my Defender but don't know if I should stick with halogen globes or go LED, what are peoples thoughts?, thanks
Post #964472 9th Sep 2022 12:06pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Penfold_6290



Member Since: 22 Sep 2021
Location: Dorset
Posts: 272

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
LED 'H4' replacement units are illegal and will fail an MOT. Invest in some decent H4 halogen bulbs and upgrade the headlamp wiring harness (a couple of options available commercially) so the bulbs get full battery voltage and the lights will be great.

Just one example of a headlamp wiring loom upgrade here -

https://www.paddockspares.com/boomslang-pe...-loom.html

Not the one I've got so can't comment on it either way, but you get the idea.

100watt H4 bulbs would most likely melt the lens of the Crystal lights as they generate a tremendous amount of heat. Polycarbonate is tough but it will melt.
Post #964476 9th Sep 2022 12:19pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Decent LED bulbs such as those supplied by Classic Car LED's are excellent but as Penfold says, are now illegal in the UK. You'd have to check your local rules before committing to them. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #964480 9th Sep 2022 12:45pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Penfold_6290



Member Since: 22 Sep 2021
Location: Dorset
Posts: 272

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
Didn't spot the OP was from Australia ref MOT issues.
Post #964481 9th Sep 2022 12:50pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3308

United Kingdom 
And only illegal in post 1986 vehicles in the UK 😉 
Post #964482 9th Sep 2022 1:04pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Having run with LED conversion "bulbs" in Wipac crystals for a time, I can assure the OP that they produce a cleaner, brighter, more sharply defined, and generally superior light pattern than any halogen bulb. They will also, with no problem, pass a UK MOT test beam alignment check and will not cause inconvenience to other road users (which is more than can be said for modern adaptive beam and matrix lamps, which presumably but inexplicably are legal).

In the UK the illegality is purely due to to type approval reasons and not due to function (and is arguably and affront to common sense), but the sad fact remains that they are technically illegal on post-'86 vehicles.

I replaced my "crystal plus LED bulb" with top-quality, type approved LED units, which produce a significantly inferior main beam but are broadly comparable on dip.

If it is legal for you to go LED, or if you are prepared to take the risk if it isn't, then go (quality) LED. The light output is better is every respect.
Post #964486 9th Sep 2022 1:33pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6026

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
+1 ^^^

I have the classic car type LED bulbs in my 110, and as BW says, the beam is soooo much crisper and sharper. It's also passed an MoT with no advisories regarding brightness/aim etc.

I know that "just because it passed an MoT doesn't make it legal", or "because a copper didn't pull me over blah blah", but wanted to pass my 2p's worth on.
Post #964489 9th Sep 2022 2:29pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2255

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
DO those "Classic Car LED's " get too hot for the rubber cap? Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #964491 9th Sep 2022 2:54pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6026

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
On the contrary.... they run very cool.
Post #964492 9th Sep 2022 3:00pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
blackwolf wrote:

I replaced my "crystal plus LED bulb" with top-quality, type approved LED units, which produce a significantly inferior main beam but are broadly comparable on dip.


What ones did you fit? I went back to Crystals and miss my Tuck Lites but couldn't bear the though of smashing a £600+ set of head lights on the farm. The horse had nearly nutted one of the Truck Lites in the yard...
Post #964493 9th Sep 2022 3:05pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2255

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Funny thing those bulbs do not fit into my crystal headlights (LHD) . Bulb´s diameter is a bit bigger than the hole on the lens Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #964494 9th Sep 2022 3:06pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
diesel_jim wrote:
It's also passed an MoT with no advisories regarding brightness/aim etc.

When was your last MOT, Jim? They shouldn't fail because of anything to do with the beam pattern but just because they've been deemed illegal. If the test was recent then you tester has either just missed them or isn't aware of the changes. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #964495 9th Sep 2022 3:19pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
MK wrote:
Funny thing those bulbs do not fit into my crystal headlights (LHD) . Bulb´s diameter is a bit bigger than the hole on the lens

You must have used a different make, MK, because lots of us have fitted the Classic Car LED's version to our crystal headlights. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #964496 9th Sep 2022 3:21pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2255

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Bought them from the same company. Shocked Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #964497 9th Sep 2022 3:24pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Dunno what to say then - something is clearly different Confused


Click image to enlarge
 Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #964498 9th Sep 2022 3:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 3 123>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums