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Re: Alternative LED bulbs - ECU confusion?
hsg@h-gee.co.uk
16 Oct 2007 16:58
>> >>> As for E marking - the lack of it doesn't mean they don't comply, it [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >I wasn't after a legal lecture - there's other more appropriate groups >for that
Er! You asked about LED lamps or bulb replacements and if you are in the UK or Euro land then if NOT type approved then illegal and cannot be fitted for road use. However as it appears that anything goes in the USA then fit and be dammed and stop moaning.
If you don't like the answers don't ask the question.
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Sir Hugh of Bognor
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Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK
DCA
15 Oct 2007 20:22
> >> As for E marking - the lack of it doesn't mean they don't comply, it [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >
Which doesn't answer my question. I wasn't after a legal lecture - there's other more appropriate groups for that
> As for E marking - the lack of it doesn't mean they don't comply, it > merely means they haven't been type approved.
Which means that they are illegal to use on the road.
DCA
15 Oct 2007 13:41
> >> Take a look and tell me what you think - these seem pretty well designed [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >
You're probably right but these ones have high intensity pointing to the rear with side clusters for the reflectors They *may* be very good and I think I will give it a go with front indicators first As for E marking - the lack of it doesn't mean they don't comply, it merely means they haven't been type approved. This could be due to tyhe fact that it costs so much to achieve these markings. It's rather like saying that someone who has passed a driving test is a better driver than someone who hasn't - which of course is not necessarily true (just that passing proves it!). Worth a try for £5
Dave Plowman (News)
15 Oct 2007 08:43
> Take a look and tell me what you think - these seem pretty well designed > to widen the viewing angle: > http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/Items/002510-030?
These simply don't produce the same light levels as a 21 watt indicator bulb in the normal reflector.
Euro car lighting parts must be 'E' marked to conform with those regs. And non of these replacements are - simply because they can't produce the correct spread of light at an intensity to replace a 21 watt filament type. The other type of LED replacement with 5mm leds 'firing' forward do just about produce the same intensity - but only over a very narrow angle.
For safety lights like indicators etc where a wide viewing angle is required these things are positively dangerous - they can't be seen in bright daylight.
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Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound.
DCA
15 Oct 2007 08:07
> >> Can anyone advise me if fitting after market LED bulbs in indicators, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >
Take a look and tell me what you think - these seem pretty well designed to widen the viewing angle: http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/Items/002510-030?
Dave Plowman (News)
14 Oct 2007 23:44
> Can anyone advise me if fitting after market LED bulbs in indicators, > side adn brake lights confuse the onboard computer? > I prefer the more responsive light they offer but don't want the car > dinging me about dead bulbs!
For a start there are no direct replacement LEDs for units designed for tungsten - the optics on these lights is optimised for a point source filament. And for things like indictors this is a very real problem in sunlight etc - the LED replacements simply won't be as bright, or have the same viewing angle. And it's not just a slight difference either. There are currently no LED replacements that meet the specifications required by law in Europe. Completely new lamp units designed from the start for LEDs are a different matter.
They will also confuse the failed bulb warning system.
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Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound.
DCA
14 Oct 2007 20:49
Can anyone advise me if fitting after market LED bulbs in indicators, side adn brake lights confuse the onboard computer? I prefer the more responsive light they offer but don't want the car dinging me about dead bulbs!