35 replies to this topic

[panky]

I've fitted relay kits to a couple of my cars which take a direct (fused) feed from the battery and re-routes the original switch to the relay signal side of the new loom taking most of the load off the original wiring and switch.

 

 There's a noticeable increase in head lamp brightness which, coupled with a set of night breaker bulbs, make for much improved lighting.

It was dead easy on my BX GT but a bit more awkward on a Mini (I did a Morris Minor) with the head lamp connectors enclosed inside the light bowl. 

[mykweb]

Thanks all.

Will fire in a set of h4s and see how the go.

This car will not be my daily and will likely not driven in the dark much.

[68+86auto]

This car will not be my daily and will likely not driven in the dark much.

 

Save any money you would spend on LEDs for something else then, I'm sure there will be something else on it that needs work (I wouldn't fit LEDs anyway).

Edited by 68+86auto, 05 February 2026 - 11:35 PM.

[evansisgreat]

Holley do a 7 inch headlight called retrobright which is an LED housing but designed to look original with a decent output.

[Gaz66]

Ive never known a tester look for markings on lights.
They just seem to look at light pattern, well they do round here 😁

[PoolGuy]

Ive never known a tester look for markings on lights.
They just seem to look at light pattern, well they do round here

The Cibies on my van have E2 on them, our daily has no E marks on any of the light lenses.

[imack]

Ive never known a tester look for markings on lights.
They just seem to look at light pattern, well they do round here 😁

They won't, because it's not part of the mot test.
Some unusual types of indicator side repeater need an 'E' mark, that's all.

[Ethel]

It's not so much MoTs as insurers looking for excuses not to pay out.

 

The stopping distance at 70mph is just under 100m, or 3 seconds. How far do you really need to see & what's the trade off in what you can no longer see in the shadows because your pupils have constricted more?

[beardylondon]

Re LEDs, good explanation here:

https://www.autobulb...egal-in-the-uk/

[PoolGuy]

Re LEDs, good explanation here:

https://www.autobulb...egal-in-the-uk/

If you scroll to the comments, you can find the correct information...

[mini-mad-mark]

Before doing anything check the voltage being supplied to the light units. Etc. if poor it will need replacing.

Also per the post by Panky  - fitting a relay can make sure you get full voltage to the headlights to improve things 

 

I checked mine - 10.8v out of the switch and probably a little a bit less at the headlights. Luckily I don't use it in the dark much but I'm planning to add relays when I give the car a bit of love (and a rewire) later this year.

[roblightbody]

I checked mine - 10.8v out of the switch and probably a little a bit less at the headlights. Luckily I don't use it in the dark much but I'm planning to add relays when I give the car a bit of love (and a rewire) later this year.

Out of interest, would the "banging headlights" LED units mentioned earlier in this thread operate optimally if they only get 10.8v fed to them? Presumably they're designed for more like 13v or 14v?

[PoolGuy]

Check the voltage at the plug with the headlight disconnected, then do the same thing with the light connected. The plug should show battery voltage when there's no load on the wiring, if you don't have battery voltage then I'd suggest that you look deeper into the wiring. I'd suggest doing it with the engine running.

 

Remember that led bulbs draw much less current for a similar light output, so the voltage drop will be less.

[sonscar]

Out of interest,has anyone actually measured the real working current of led Vs filament?I fitted led units to my mgb and they are much brighter but I am not sure they are better as the light is a different colour and comparison is misleading because of this.Steve..

[PoolGuy]

Out of interest,has anyone actually measured the real working current of led Vs filament?I fitted led units to my mgb and they are much brighter but I am not sure they are better as the light is a different colour and comparison is misleading because of this.Steve..

 

Yes, the Classic Car Led bulbs draw 1.3 amps, Osram Nightbreaker 55w halogen draws 3.5amps, that's for a single bulb with the engine running.