Mr Whippy
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 11:32 AM |
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Using a converter to power headlights
Hi,
I am wanting to fit a pair of LED headlamps with angel eyes to the old car, however it is a 6 volt system and there are none available for that
voltage. I was thinking I could use one of these to "boost" the voltage up to what is required. Not sure of the power required by these but
10amps seems plenty to power two LED lights?
A good idea or stupid??
[Edited on 24/7/24 by Mr Whippy]
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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MikeR
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 12:42 PM |
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I'm involved in a discussion on the caterham site about the quality of the Chinese LED headlights (and the lack of a beam pattern). No idea if
your idea would work but be careful as it seems lots do not (despite claims) meet the beam pattern requirements.
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 01:57 PM |
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the converter should work
but I think the car would end up looking like a bugeyed monster.
have you considered just changing the bulb, (know led bulbs in standard headlight fittings will not meet mot requirements, but ok for very old
cars)
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/headlight-led-bulbs/6-volt
[Edited on 24/7/24 by gremlin1234]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 02:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
the converter should work
but I think the car would end up looking like a bugeyed monster.
have you considered just changing the bulb, (know led bulbs in standard fittings will not meet mot requirements, but ok for very old cars)
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/headlight-led-bulbs/6-volt
I have already got the LED conversion bulbs and their ok but I want to try something different (that can always be put back to original), I'm
using the car quite a bit in the evening and need good lighting. I also like the angel eyes and they look nice on older cars with headlight pods 
might get the ones with that change to orange too so I can ditch the motorbike indicators. It's MOT except so I can really do whatever I want
with the lights, was thinking of 3D printing new rear lenses with LED's built into them 
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 02:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
I'm involved in a discussion on the caterham site about the quality of the Chinese LED headlights (and the lack of a beam pattern). No idea if
your idea would work but be careful as it seems lots do not (despite claims) meet the beam pattern requirements.
Thanks, I'll do some research into ones with good recommendations.
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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MikeR
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 11:24 PM |
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When you find them let me know.
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 26/7/24 at 05:20 PM |
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I run LEDs in my H4 reflectors, they have near identical beam pattern to normal bulbs and pass the MOT because they are friendly, but pointed out they
shouldnt but let it slide because the pattern is fine. The boost converter will work fine if the current capability is high enough, no problem.
Fwiw id try them without the converter first, they often have a fixed current driver which accepts a very wide input voltage range ans theyre only a
3v LED usually, so its possible theyre going to work anyway. In the next day or so I'll get my adjustable psu back and can test it.
[Edited on 26/7/2024 by coyoteboy]
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 26/7/24 at 10:40 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
I run LEDs in my H4 reflectors, they have near identical beam pattern to normal bulbs and pass the MOT because they are friendly, but pointed out they
shouldnt but let it slide because the pattern is fine.
[Edited on 26/7/2024 by coyoteboy]
I don't know why they changed the rules. If a replacement LED bulb gives the right pattern, why should it be treated any differently than a whole
new LED sealed unit?
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 27/7/24 at 03:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by SteveWalker
I don't know why they changed the rules. If a replacement LED bulb gives the right pattern, why should it be treated any differently than a whole
new LED sealed unit?
I suspect it's due to the bulbs not being 'e marked'
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 29/7/24 at 11:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by SteveWalker
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
I run LEDs in my H4 reflectors, they have near identical beam pattern to normal bulbs and pass the MOT because they are friendly, but pointed out they
shouldnt but let it slide because the pattern is fine.
[Edited on 26/7/2024 by coyoteboy]
I don't know why they changed the rules. If a replacement LED bulb gives the right pattern, why should it be treated any differently than a whole
new LED sealed unit?
Without appropriate testing there's no guarantees that the led will be a good shape to produce the right beam pattern, and there are no maximum
light output rules in the c&u legislation, so no control over how bright or bad the headlights will be. They could introduce it but who would be
able to test it at the side of the road and how long do laws take to make. Suspect the mot rules are just a shortcut to controlling it.
Fwiw i tested my units last night and they took nearly 13V before they would start lighting the led properly with current control. When i did fire up
i should not have been looking at it as i ended up with a spot in my vision that lasted hours.
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pigeondave
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| posted on 29/7/24 at 12:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
When you find them let me know.
Id like to know too please.
These seem to do well in tests, but the price
https://signin.jwspeaker.com/#application[]=automotive&product_category[]=headlights
This was the test video
https://youtu.be/ekMpdKfLlMQ?si=ZRMUqBhcNTBlg-3P
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