Lamp alternative

[mach2andy]

Can anyone suggest an alternative for this 6w globe? Something that gives out proper light rather than just heat?

[Gfhug]

Andy, I’ve changed to leds and they are worth fitting. They are available in all sizes to replace the old bulbs. Hope this helps. You could look here: https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/ind ... t&catId=48

Geoff

[rswaffie]

[Herzeg]

I second Geoff's comment. I fitted LED's from Gil and went from unreadable dash to clear bright instruments.

John

[PeterCrespin]

Can anyone suggest an alternative for this 6w globe? Something that gives out proper light rather than just heat?

It's probably giving out full light, but inside a tungsten-lined globe that filters a lot of it out. At incandescent temperatures even specialised alloys sublimate some of their mass onto nearby cooler surfaces. Sublimation is what happens with dry ice or even snow in certain cases - it goes from solid to gas without bothering to liquify between states. Not 100% accurate, but it explains why a bulb filament eventually 'evaporates and deposits sufficient metal inside the glass, without ever melting and going open circuit first.

A new one of the same type will work far better for the next 50 years...

[AshM]

A quick follow up question.

Can you fit these LED bulbs in the main external lights too; without any other alterations?

Cheers
Ash

[Gfhug]

Ash, yes in side and rear lights. Indicators will need a new relay. The rear/brake lights on my car are much brighter than the old OE acetylene lamps

Geoff

[Heuer]

Be aware that LED's require a minimum voltage to trigger (forward voltage) so check what that is for whichever product you are going to use. You may find that with the engine off your brake and side lights may not operate as the battery voltage is too low. When you start the car, and blip the throttle, the alternator/generator should supply 14.3V which will trigger the LED's and lo, let there be light.

Of course if you are parked with side lights on, or stopped in a traffic jam, you probably need to keep the engine running to keep the lights on!

[Gfhug]

Ash, regarding David’s comments above. The ones I bought work fine with the engine off, if you want to go that route then I’ll try to remember where they came from.
Edited to add: from Gil at bettercarlighting as with Richard below

Geoff

[rswaffie]

I got all mine from Gil at bettercarlighting.
All bulbs, apart from headlights and the ignition warning bulb (although you can go led for this with an additional inline resistor wire) are led.
There are some issues that may arise, as David suggests, due to the way led’s operate. I had one where the front side lights came on when the brake lights were on. This was sorted out by adding a small diode bridge into the brake light circuit. All supplied by bettercarlighting. Gil runs the company and is also an EType owner and has experienced all the issues during development of the products. Useful guy to know.

[AshM]

Many thanks to all for the helpful feedback; as always.

One for the winter job list...

Cheers
Ash

[mach2andy]

Great thread everyone. Very informative. Thanks. Having already modified my headlights, and incorporated the reversing lights into the rear light clusters, the only other lighting alteration I am currently planning is to re-lamp the map light, and possibly the dome light. I think I've picked the lamp that I need, but I'll probably still canvass Gil as to the best option.

[rswaffie]

Andy,
For the map light, I used a LED strip that screws to the underside of the dash top, in place of the original bulb holder. My car is with Angus at the moment so can’t show you it in situ, but this is the item:
https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk/ind ... ductId=245