I've had my early front indicators running on LED panels to avoid the hassle of cutting in brackets for bulb holders etc and they are in my opinion a huge upgrade on standard bulbs for visibility etc.....very bright indeed! so I want to change the other aux lighting to LED also, which means side markers, rear indicators and reversing lights. Heres how I want them to operate: front side markers on with sidelights, flash with indicators rear side markers on with sidelights rear indicators flash with indicators, on with reverse (I want to have both functions from one light housing, not one bulb lol) so I need to figure out the best method of wiring for all the above.....any suggestions? I'm assuming a combination of relays for power and resistors to get the flash rate right for MOT etc?
And if the MOT tester is being a git he will call you out on every LED bulb fitted where original fitment would have an LED.. Actually though you can get flasher units specifically for driving LEDs so less messing with resistors etc. My LED tail and stop lights are brighter thanthe original and several different MOT test centres have not commented. Also reading a thread over on the Samba the reduced current taken by LED brake lights reduces the burning out of brake light switches. They are fitting relays to protect the switch with filament bulbs.
true, although it passed last year with the fronts done. I've seen the LED relays but they seem to have to go in series with the stock relay? I'm thinking for the twin function lights I want, id have to use a five pole relay with a feed from each of the 'out' poles for each function.....need to mull over the best way to accomplish I lol
It depends on the year of the vehicle whether LED lights are technically illegal. I found this out from the MG club. My MG has LED tail lights which are perfectly legal because if the age of the car. Likewise indicators. However, LED side lights are technically not allowed on a 1973 car. I'll try to dig out the info.
Below is a brief listing of the cut off dates after which all lamps must have approval marks and that currently means using approved filament bulbs carrying that approval. Front side lamps 1st January 1972 Rear side lamps 1st January 1974 Brake lamps 1st February 1974 Direction indicators 1st April 1986 Headlamps dip/main beam 1st April 1986 Front fog lamps 1st April 1986 Rear fog lamps no cut-off date so always need approval marks Reverse lamps 1st April 1986 Number plate lamps 1st April 1986 (Taken from MG Car Club magazine)
