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glpinxit



Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: rural Somerset
Posts: 156

United Kingdom 
Another LED lights question (sorry)
I’m planning to replace the standard lights on my 2014 XS with 95mm LED light units.(Not the headlights at this stage, though). I want to use Lite Wire (previously known as Perei). Mainly I want brighter lights so other people can see me better (and I was also traumatised when both brake light bulbs blew in the same week). Partly this is for looks.

I've got three questions which I'm looking for help with.

1. The Lite-wire website says front indicator units are different to the rear ones- what is the difference? If I hadn't discovered they are different I would have just bought four the same.

2. I'd really like to fit matching front sidelights but Perei ones don't seem to exist. Any suggestions for alternatives would be most welcome but I’d want them to have a similar appearance.

3. I'm confused by the range of LED high-level brake lights on offer- any reccomendations? (I’m less keen at the £100 end of the range than the ones around £25!) Although I’m planning on red rear brake/side lights and clear indicators/fog/reversing I’m not bothered about the HLB.

Thanks in anticipation. Cheers, Guy.
Post #891454 15th Mar 2021 12:01am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
1. Despite what the website says, I don't think there's any difference between the units. Don't forget you'll either need an adjustable LED flasher relay or to add resistors to each lamp for these to work properly.

2. This is a challenge. You can buy some very nice warm white LED bulbs for regular units, which are a good compromise. The only problem though is that they look very different to standard headlights. Having just returned to halogen headlight bulbs from LED ones, I've also changed the sidelights back to incandescent bulbs, too.

3. I've got one of the cheaper versions - from Bolt on Bits, IIRC - and it works very well. I have, however, added a clip-on ferrite ring to the wiring as it interfered with my aftermarket radio slightly (although not with the original LR one).

I went for LED bulbs for the fog and reverse lights as decent full LED ones are stupidly expensive Rolling Eyes

It's also worth noting that by using LED stop/tail lights, it's possible to alter their position slightly so that they sit within the line of the bodywork rather than slightly proud if using the original bulb holders.


Click image to enlarge


More details here:

https://www.defender2.net/forum/post861046.html#861046 Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #891463 15th Mar 2021 7:09am
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swt



Member Since: 24 Aug 2018
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
I had the same problem matching indicators and sidelights at the front. I went for J W Speaker indicators and DRL sidelights at the front, and Perei LEDs on the back. I quite like the look of the J W Speakers on their little plinths, but it's down to personal taste, as you say.
Post #891515 15th Mar 2021 10:45am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17336

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
LandRoverAnorak wrote:
... You can buy some very nice warm white LED bulbs for regular units, which are a good compromise. ...


Without wanting to go all "Brendan" on this thread, it is worth bearing in mind that fitting a non-E-marked LED bulb into any E-marked light unit is still as illegal as it always has been, whether or not it is a headlight, it is just that unlike the headlights (now) it shouldn't cause an MoT failure. It is still technically illegal.

Personally I also think that upgrading from incandescent bulbs to good quality LED bulbs provides a huge improvement in illumination, and, like the old tyre advertisement said, "I am convinced it is a major contribution to road safety". I think it both absurd and rather sad that it is unlawful on a technicality and not for any sensible reason. Neither do I think that fitting such bulbs indicates any particular propensity for wider criminal or antisocial behaviour.

I think it is useful however that people are properly informed before choosing their own actions.
Post #891528 15th Mar 2021 11:17am
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3367

United Kingdom 
I did the side light replacement to LED first and it makes the standard headlights look very lacklustre. It was a good excuse to shell out on some EVO2s.... 
Post #891532 15th Mar 2021 11:36am
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glpinxit



Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: rural Somerset
Posts: 156

United Kingdom 
Recognising that the law doesn’t always give the ‘best’ outcome but it isn’t flexible, I’m looking for solutions that will pass an MOT administered by a pedantic tester. Simple question- could I use the Perei/Lite-wire 95mm reversing units as front sidelights? Cheers, Guy.
Post #891666 15th Mar 2021 8:48pm
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2138

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
Presume the new MOT rules were based around the pretty poor and often dazzling chinesium HID units........

I have 2x different vehicles with H4 lamps, both fitted with high quality LED bulbs and both had passed MOT's with different testers / stations in the very recent past with not one mention of anything untoward.....
Technically illegal they may be but neither tester could determine any issues with beam pattern, etc and so they didn't register??
Post #891674 15th Mar 2021 8:56pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17336

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
glpinxit wrote:
Recognising that the law doesn’t always give the ‘best’ outcome but it isn’t flexible, I’m looking for solutions that will pass an MOT administered by a pedantic tester. Simple question- could I use the Perei/Lite-wire 95mm reversing units as front sidelights?


They might be considered too bright. Historically side and tail lights were limited to 5W, and reverse lights were 21W and you wouldn't have got away with it. Now the Watt as a measure of brightness is meaningless I have no idea how light output is measured and assessed and you may be ok.
Post #891712 15th Mar 2021 10:34pm
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3367

United Kingdom 
You might confuse oncoming traffic thinking you're reversing at 60mph Whistle 
Post #891721 15th Mar 2021 11:13pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
90 Dreamer wrote:
Presume the new MOT rules were based around the pretty poor and often dazzling chinesium HID units........

I have 2x different vehicles with H4 lamps, both fitted with high quality LED bulbs and both had passed MOT's with different testers / stations in the very recent past with not one mention of anything untoward.....
Technically illegal they may be but neither tester could determine any issues with beam pattern, etc and so they didn't register??

There's no 'technically' about it. The most recent changes to the MOT make fitting an LED bulb in a headlight designed for halogens a specific fail item. I'm surprised that so many testers seem to be missing them at the moment but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Have a look at the 'cheapskate led' thread for the details. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #891753 16th Mar 2021 9:01am
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2138

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
I'm fully aware and happy to be 'failed' BUT they aren't the heinous crime some are making them out to be and the only cars (apart from Macdonalds wannabees) that I have dazzle issue with are modern LED set-ups.......

indeed lots of modern cars don't allow simple things like indicators to be seen clearly but its fine as they are probably saving the planet.........

ultimately unless the tester is informed how is he going to know how every car left the factory?? and if they pass beam / dazzle tests then its a suitable light source

like most things they have used a sledgehammer to crack an egg when there were already simple options for the tester to fail hideous lighting
Post #891778 16th Mar 2021 9:51am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
I'm not suggesting it's a heinous crime - merely that it's been made a specific reason for a fail. The fact that they pass a beam test is irrelevant under the new rule. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #891788 16th Mar 2021 10:12am
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2138

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
yes not yourself.............

as stated I'm happy to make a very informed choice about this, in the same way I make a very informed choice about national speed limit roads / motorways

probably like 99% of this forum I am a fully paid up (many times across the various vehicles I own), legally abiding driver in 99% of circumstances / situations.......there are occasions when I make an informed & responsible choice to step outside of some things and I am very prepared to accept its not correct
Post #891791 16th Mar 2021 10:19am
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glpinxit



Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: rural Somerset
Posts: 156

United Kingdom 
To bring this thread back on topic...
I am only looking for suggestions and information about LED-specific lamp units. I think that the legal position has been well ventilated on this forum and the law is what it is.

I’m booked in for a service and MOT in a fortnight and I will ask the Land Rover enthusiast who will be doing that what the rules would say about my ‘reversing light as sidelight’ question. If all else fails I’ll look at the other options but I don’t personally like the ‘ray-gun’ style of many lights. Cheers, Guy.
Post #891821 16th Mar 2021 12:25pm
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glpinxit



Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: rural Somerset
Posts: 156

United Kingdom 
A bit more Google-based research and I’ll definitely be talking to the tester:

The MOT guidance is online and seems quite clear. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection...-equipment

I didn’t find anything in the guidance about the scope to use reversing lights as side-lights. Nor is there anything about putting an LED bulb into a light- unless it is a headlight when it says:

“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.” Cheers, Guy.
Post #891829 16th Mar 2021 12:52pm
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