I purchased my P38 with 80W/2 Autobeam branded H4 LED bulbs installed. One bulb has now expired.
Upon checking online, there’s various LED bulbs across various power outputs. Although skeptical of the specifications sellers list for their bulbs, I’ve found one that is 100W for each bulb. Apart from potentially blinding other users, would this fry anything?
I very much doubt they are 100W, more like the equivalent light output to a 100W halogen bulb. The cheap ones don't give a proper cut off on dip beam as the light source is too large. You do realise that LED and HID bulbs in a car that never had them from the factory is an automatic MoT fail? Para 4.1.4 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment
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Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must 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 for light source and lamp not compatible.
This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test._
Gilbertd wrote:
I very much doubt they are 100W, more like the equivalent light output to a 100W halogen bulb. The cheap ones don't give a proper cut off on dip beam as the light source is too large. You do realise that LED and HID bulbs in a car that never had them from the factory is an automatic MoT fail? Para 4.1.4 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment
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Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must 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 for light source and lamp not compatible.This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test._
I figured they won't be as advertised, but is there a theoretical limit before it'll blow a fuse?
Maybe my MOT tester was not as anal as it did pass a few months back..I'll order some halogen ones to keep in the car for the next round.
There are no fuses in the headlight circuits, they are powered from MOSFETs which will shut down to self protect if too much, or too little, current is being drawn. It will also bring on a bulb blown message on the dash.
I installed the new ones. As predicted, it was just as bright as my previous 45w LEDs, however, these did not work on low beam. I can live with that.
v8vroom wrote:
I installed the new ones. As predicted, it was just as bright as my previous 45w LEDs, however, these did not work on low beam. I can live with that.
But can anyone else live with you driving around with main beam on all the time?