Petrolhead Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 After a blat today someone following me said that in sunlight my stop/tail and indicators were dull We got talking and he sugested LED replacement bulbs. Has anyone done this? I would prefer not changing the std Caterham lights though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Have you got a bright LED brake light under the roll bar ? This is a must for our low cars. The STD rear lights are very poor. I tried LED bulbs in std holders and they weren't as bright as normal bulbs ! Have heard of some removing the plastic reflectors and sticking self adhesive aluminium tape behind the bulbs and polishing it highly. Main problem is lampholders face sideways, so you can't use normal LED bulbs as used in tintops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianC Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I was looking for something similar today and came across the 380 - 360 degree LED Extreme Power 5W from Autobulbs Direct Anyone tried these? Look like they should be better than the standard fitted bulbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 I have a high level led brake light but need better rear lights What about there here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted March 7, 2011 Area Representative Share Posted March 7, 2011 I've got LED bulbs and I'm not sure they are that much better, but they are certainly no worse than ordinary bulbs. The first I used had only a few "heads", but I replaced them with better ones that became available. I've stuck with LEDs as they take very little power and I leave my sidelights on all the time. A couple of tips:- 1. Make sure you buy LED bulbs suitable for the car i.e. they need to shine from the side of the bulb (not the end) because of orientation in the light fitting. 2. Use red bulbs for the brake/sidelight. Red light shines through the plastic lens much better. 3. Worth making sure the little reflectors in the lights are as clean (shiny) as possible. I did think of trying to improve with some silver foil, but not got round to it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I use Halfords QR380 bulbs ... they are standard filament bulbs, but claim to be quicker reacting (brake) and brighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Interesting, I get the feeling that LEDs are a waste of money Ring also do a rapid responce bulbs here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Just make sure you get 380 model though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Whats the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Probably cap size, or lug positions ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Bought some and its the lug position, cheer Ian for the heads up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Just had a though, after seeing a photo on Ians recent 'Goodwood breakfast club' where a car has what looks like three ledstrip stop lights. How about LED indicators on the corners of the roll bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 You can improuve the reflector of the rear lights, now it's just grey paint but if you put sticky ali tape on it and also polish this the rear lights will be brighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James7 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 How about fitting some of these LED rear light units? They have a flat back but SVC also do a version with a sloping housing in ‘Carbon Effect’. I feel the fake carbon mount looks a little tacky though. If one of the carbon producers could be persuaded to manufacture a quality mounting for these lights, that could be really interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Quoting elie boone: You can improuve the reflector of the rear lights, now it's just grey paint but if you put sticky ali tape on it and also polish this the rear lights will be brighter.My reflectors were quite shiny and I have cleaned the lenes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Quoting James7: How about fitting some of these LED rear light units? They have a flat back but SVC also do a version with a sloping housing in ‘Carbon Effect’. I feel the fake carbon mount looks a little tacky though. If one of the carbon producers could be persuaded to manufacture a quality mounting for these lights, that could be really interesting!Yeh, I have seen then and its the fake carbon that puts me off especially as the arches are real carbon. These were also an option but again the fake carbon puts me off Edited by - Petrolhead on 10 Mar 2011 21:47:27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 I emailed SVC to see if they do any other finish but only carbon effect :( Maybe that's an opportunity to do some in proper carbon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 I have the SVC rear lights, and they are seriously fantastic! Vey very bright. Wasn't too keen on the fake carbon, but you can paint them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljclark Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Quoting Eugene: Vey very bright. I don' suppose there is a chance of a pic showing brighness please? (not that I doubt what you say) I realise fake carbon isn't everyones thing, but I'm sure that being seen is am sure that that's it's one upgrade that the Mrs would pay for in a heartbeat, even if the fake carbon is a bit Quite suprised that CC hasn't got in on the act with some LED blocks (other than the "clear" ones) its one of the areas that does let the 7 down in it's "default" guise. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 I've tried... First is no lights on, second is normal light, third is brake lights... Eugene rear lights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljclark Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 I thank you! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 Quoting michaeljclark: Quite suprised that CC hasn't got in on the act with some LED blocks (other than the "clear" ones) its one of the areas that does let the 7 down in it's "default" guise.I have asked CC midland this question several time and I get the same reply, somit to do with E marking So I assume the SVC ones you use are the LED ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 So, were the images of any use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 Sorry, TBH I found them inconclusive and I put this down to the photos A comparison between the origional and new would have been nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James7 Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Quoting Petrolhead: Quoting michaeljclark: Quite suprised that CC hasn't got in on the act with some LED blocks (other than the "clear" ones) its one of the areas that does let the 7 down in it's "default" guise.I have asked CC midland this question several time and I get the same reply, somit to do with E marking So I assume the SVC ones you use are the LED ones The SVC website says that their LED rear light clusters are E marked though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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