28-10-2018, 09:46 AM (This post was last modified: 28-10-2018, 09:47 AM by drc.)
I'm looking into replacing the "normal" filament headlight bulbs with the newer LED types (see photo) have any of you tried them.
I have been told that at the moment this type of bulb is not legal due to the light output or that they have not yet been certified, most car accessory shops do not sell them, but ebay has lots of them for sale.
Looking at your avatar I wouldn’t bother - the light refracts so badly in this style headlights it’s unreal. I had a set I paid good money for. Tried them once and sacked them off.
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Previous Berlingo: 2015 1.6 L1850 90ps In Artic Steel inc Look Pack and Lighting Pack.
Previous Berlingo: K9 2018 Driver M 100ps in Platinum Grey with Safety Pack
Current Berlingo: 2021 K9 Driver M Pro 130ps EAT8 in Platinum Grey with Safety Pack
Just because they sell them on ebay does not make them legal. Most sellers will say anything to sell this crap. Get a copy of Motor mechanics this month there is an article in there on what is and is not legal.
Ask the seller to provide in writing that they confirm to all current laws, I bet they will go very quite.
Are we there yet?????
Ex 1.6hdi van now 3 seater 1.4 multispace
I got put off fitting LEDs for the reasons above, I put Osram Nightbreaker bulbs in my B9 Multi-Space and have been happy with the increase in brightness and the good dip cut-off.
When this was being discussed on the forum some time ago some people mentioned that the Nightbreakers didn't last long, but mine are up to 2 years now without problem.
I checked the internet just now and I see there are some further developments on this, the Nightbreaker Plus.
Matt
Matt
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2019 Multispace BlueHDi 100 Flair Nimbus Grey Met
Filament bulbes such as H4 or H7 can be considered a 'point' source, but LEDs are a 'surface' source of light.
It's not possible to make a LED replacement for Halogens that will create the same light pattern in a stock headlight.
If you want LED lights you'll need to replace the entire headlight.
Have to say I'm less than impressed with the "lifespan" of LED units. I've only tried them as stop/tail and sidelight replacements, never as headlight versions, and every other week or so I found myself having to replace them. The multi LED stop and tails seemed to loose one LED element per week while the single element sidelight units generally packed up after 3 weeks.
Waste of time and money in my humble experience!
20-11-2018, 07:33 PM (This post was last modified: 20-11-2018, 07:35 PM by Satellitemark.)
(20-11-2018, 07:20 PM)Wyvern Wrote: Have to say I'm less than impressed with the "lifespan" of LED units. I've only tried them as stop/tail and sidelight replacements, never as headlight versions, and every other week or so I found myself having to replace them. The multi LED stop and tails seemed to loose one LED element per week while the single element sidelight units generally packed up after 3 weeks.
Waste of time and money in my humble experience!
This is very strange as led's used in other applications (TVs / house lighting / street lighting)
Is incredibly reliable.
Are the LEDs that you used branded from a reputable source ?
I have had LEDs in my 30 year old BMW airheads rear lights and fairing day / side lights for several years without any of them ever failing , I would consider old vibrating motorcycles a far more hostile environment than a Berlingo.
The unbranded Chinese made replacement bulbs have pretty poor quality control. You buy a pack of 10 and 5 of them will probably fail prematurely, or start flickering once they get hot. Thats if they even fit into the lamp housing. Just like cheap filament bulbs they fail more quickly than expensive ones.
Like HID conversion bulbs none of the LED head light bulbs are legal in a standard headlamp unit, and while they might be bright they'll chuck light all over the place and just dazzle everyone. The reflector behind the bulb is specifically designed to focus the light from an H4 bulb, they can't focus the light from and LED or HID. It would be ok if you could find a complete LED headlight unit, but as far as I know no one makes one for a Berlingo, there's just not a big enough market to pay for design and approvals on them.