LED Lightbar

Verteuil Man

Verteuil Man

Joined
May 5, 2022
Posts
1,888
Likes collected
9,274
Location
Kidsgrove, North Staffordshire.
Funster No
88,502
MH
Hymer B778 PL
Exp
Since 1992
A bit of advice from the more electrically m8nded Funsters. I am thinking of improving the night vision capability of our intergrated (A Class) Hymer. Main beam is abysmal. The light fitted are the usual tear drop shape. Below is the type of thing I want to put on. Will a need a relay for the power supply?

PICAA 20 Inch 144 W LED Light Bar 12 V 24 V, 6000 K White LED Light Bar Work Light Bar Waterproof for Car Offroad 4x4 Truck Tractor ATV SUV https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQ6W589Y/
 
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Verteuil Man said:
Unfortunately I do not have those.

I just found it awkward driving down to the Dog House in Smeeth for a stopover at night in rain.
Click to expand...
Was going to comment, but won't bother now.
As a sufferer from excessive driving lights and being dazzled, and despite having prescription driving glasses, I applaud what the RAC are currently investigating re LED headlights and their ability, along with other types of headlights or auxiliary lights, to dazzle and be a serious road hazard to other road users.
Just my take on things, thanks.
 
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I fitted a couple of 7" light bars to my car.
As low as possible and as close to the edge of the car as was practical.
They are angled as far as possible to the sides....around 50° from directly ahead.
The purpose......to further illuminate the verge and white lines especially in crap weather conditions.
Passed MOT a few weeks ago with no mention.

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gus-lopez said:
Yes .I believe Spriddler still has them on some of his motorbikes.
Click to expand...
1927 AJS 350cc.
At one MOT the tester said: "Is the headlight on or is that a fried egg in there?"

P 1927 Ajay 350.JPG
 
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What the gov should consider is a lower dip beam height for LEDs.
The biggest problem is suspension movement causing the beam to move up and down causing dazzle.
If they were set slightly lower the beam wouldn't rise to the point of dazzle but still provide adequate forward light.
 
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Just a separate but connected point. If you fit lights to a vehicle then they must work as designed when tested at MOT. People are often under the misconceptions that pulling the fuse on faulty or illegal lights is sufficient for a pass. No longer the case

If you fit the super bright LEDs and get involved in an accident and bright lights dazzling the other driver will be investigated. You will be prosecuted if they are discovered to be illegal
 
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Yup as the man above said.

I am also looking into fitting a light bar so I can basically turn the SUN on when I am on dark roads with no one in front of me. I want it switched so it comes on with high beam but also have a kill switch should I want to power down the SUN and just have regular high beam.

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Nigel Verteuil Man I have fitted a WOWLED light to two of my vehicles. They are not road legal because not ECE marked. I looked at Philips ones that are ECE compliant but they were pricey so I went cheap first (&through the MOT). Yes additional relay used which means that it can be switched off independently so as to remain legal by being for « off road use » only.
Dead happy with the performance on horsebox and tractor. Been robust too, taken a bashing when mowing under the trees. Light throw is impressive for the price too. I bought a wiring kit with it.
I have not used on the main road but I use it extensively in the lanes round these parts.
I also purchased a small one for making a reverse light on the horsebox but haven’t fitted it yet.
 
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Verteuil Man said:
I watched a programme called Vintage Voltage were a Company put Tesla power units and batteries into allsorts of vintage cars. The man chap, Moggy tried out some LED bulbs in a Porsche for a test, but he did say that they were not legal as the car was not originally produced with them. He said that the legislation was going to possibly change. He said you can only put LED bulbs into vehicles that are designed and produced with them.
I just want an extra boost on main beam.
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Google, LED main beam on MOT, you are led to a gov. page, very informative
 
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A couple of recent reports from the Consumers Association may be worth reading. I found them interesting and helpful. The first explains the different types of vehicle bulbs and their test findings. The second, on whether or not so-called night driving glasses are safe to wear, would certainly deter me from using them.

www.which.co.uk

Car headlight bulbs explained - Which?

We explain the different types of car headlight bulbs now on offer, from LEDs to xenon bulbs, and their benefits to help you choose
www.which.co.uk www.which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Are night driving glasses safe to wear? - Which? News

Glasses with yellow lenses are touted as helping to reduce dazzle from headlights at night, but experts say they aren't a good idea
www.which.co.uk www.which.co.uk

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Lazer lights seem to be the light bar of choice for VWs.

Is there a specialist in your area that could suggest a solution?
 
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Captain Yoghurtpot said:
Was going to comment, but won't bother now.
As a sufferer from excessive driving lights and being dazzled, and despite having prescription driving glasses, I applaud what the RAC are currently investigating re LED headlights and their ability, along with other types of headlights or auxiliary lights, to dazzle and be a serious road hazard to other road users.
Just my take on things, thanks.
Click to expand...
I have said all along that the lightbar is only for main beam only. The main culprit for the dazzling headlights are BMW with the laser lights.
 
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MR BLO said:
Nigel Verteuil Man I have fitted a WOWLED light to two of my vehicles. They are not road legal because not ECE marked. I looked at Philips ones that are ECE compliant but they were pricey so I went cheap first (&through the MOT). Yes additional relay used which means that it can be switched off independently so as to remain legal by being for « off road use » only.
Dead happy with the performance on horsebox and tractor. Been robust too, taken a bashing when mowing under the trees. Light throw is impressive for the price too. I bought a wiring kit with it.
I have not used on the main road but I use it extensively in the lanes round these parts.
I also purchased a small one for making a reverse light on the horsebox but haven’t fitted it yet.
Click to expand...
Looks interesting.
 
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Upvote 0
Verteuil Man said:
A bit of advice from the more electrically m8nded Funsters. I am thinking of improving the night vision capability of our intergrated (A Class) Hymer. Main beam is abysmal. The light fitted are the usual tear drop shape. Below is the type of thing I want to put on. Will a need a relay for the power supply?

PICAA 20 Inch 144 W LED Light Bar 12 V 24 V, 6000 K White LED Light Bar Work Light Bar Waterproof for Car Offroad 4x4 Truck Tractor ATV SUV https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQ6W589Y/
Click to expand...
Most cars in Norway have one of those (or something similar) fitted. I would fit LED bulbs and then if needed additional lighting on a seperate switjch. Keep the fitment of the LED bulbs to yourself. Just make sure the lights are correctly ajjusted.
 
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Brains said:
here you go
"only" £792 for a pair!
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That’s what I’ve got on my Defender. Nice and bright. 👌🏻👌🏻

And buy what ever lights you fancy. Truth is no one cares what is legal or not these days. You will only be using them as main beam so not blinding people. VOSA, MOT, police, non of them are really bothered.How many cars do you see with poor alignment, headlights not working, no headlights on in fog/rain, fog lights on when no fog, beacons on whist not needed, parked on roadside with headlights on. Police just drive by. You won’t be going to jail for a lightbar wired to work with main beam.
 
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Unless it has changed recently, road lights on vehicles have to be approved to ensure that they do not dazzle other road users when correctly used. They are then stamped with the E4 approval mark. Lights with filament bulbs are made so that they meet the approval with any replacement bulb that also carries the E4 approval mark. Any bulb that does not have the E4 approval mark renders the approval of the whole light fitting as invalid.
LED replacement bulbs cannot meet the E4 approval and as such cannot be used on the road.
With LED headlights on cars, the whole light is approved and the LED is not replaceable.
The reason the LED replacement bulbs cannot be approved is that the E4 approval for replacement filament bulbs define the exact positioning of the filament so that the light strikes the reflector and is reflected to where the light is designed to go. Any light produced outside of this small, defined area has the potential of being reflected in a way that could dazzle.
LED replacement bulbs (at the moment) cannot replicate the light pattern produced by an E4 approved bulb. It is possible in the future that this will change. If it does then the LED bulb may gain E4 approval.
So at the moment, it is not that LED replacement bulbs are illegal, it is the use of non-E4 approved bulbs that is illegal.
 
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Where are these roads with no traffic coming the other way?

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pappajohn said:
but nobody seems to care
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I care. Driving back yesterday I got held up and it was getting dark. Seemed a 3rd of cars had these damn things on them.
I really do refuse to drive at night nowaways because of this.

Not having a go at you. Just a general gripe.
 
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Tech moves on at a fast rate.
Philips do road legal light bars, as Mr Blo mentioned
www.philips.co.uk

LED driving lights | Philips

The Philips Ultinon Drive LED driving light has the power to keep you safer, wherever you're headed. Spot hazards up to 520 meters away with lighting that peforms in the most hostile environments and gives your vehicle a touch of style.
www.philips.co.uk www.philips.co.uk

"Fully compliant with ECE R149 standards, Philips LED light bars are approved for use on public roads"
 
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