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PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2017 2:43 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
Just curious if anyone is using a modern 9006 LED bulb for the dipped beam headlight? For a few years now I have used an HID bulb conversion, but despite claims of millions of hours use, they go fairly frequently (either the bulb, or the ballast). LED bulbs weren't even invented when the GT4 was built, so was contemplating experimenting!


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PostPosted: Wed May 24, 2017 10:21 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:14 am
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Location: Camberley, Surrey
Car Model: ST205
I haven't heard of anyone doing this yet. I am running LED bulbs in my side lights as with the projector headlights the side light is very difficult to access.

If you experiment I would be very keen to see your results. :)

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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2017 8:34 am 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
I also have got LED sidelights, as is my reversing light, brake/stop light, & interior courtesy light - they are very bright compared to the Victorian invented filament bulbs!


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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2017 12:01 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
OK, have just taken one for the team and have ordered a set of 9006 LED bulbs - will keep you posted on them when they arrive...


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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2017 8:11 pm 
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Location: Camberley, Surrey
Car Model: ST205
Could you post here what you bought and also the details of the other bulbs?

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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2017 8:50 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
I'm afraid the bulbs I use for the rear will be useless to you as I have aftermarket lights!

Image

However. here are the ones I've just ordered...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142305571749? ... EBIDX%3AIT


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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2017 9:59 pm 
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Location: Camberley, Surrey
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Thanks for the info - nice to see a pic of your machine as well.

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PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2017 3:29 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:53 pm
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Location: Another Shire County
Car Model: ST185
I actually ran LED headlight bulbs (9006 low beam & 9005 high beam IIRC) in my ST205 many years ago.
(albeit before I went for the projectors)
They were much better than standard.
I seem to remember that the brand was Tucan (Australian) but I'm sure the Phillips LED versions (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-PHILIPS-LED-Headlight-Kit-9006-HB4-160W-6000K-16000LM-Bulbs-Pair-HID-White-/121347809406) are pretty decent.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:49 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
Bulbs arrived, and I must say, very impressed!

Pack shot

Image

Internal pack shot

Image

I have always associated heft with quality, I know this is a rubbish assumption, but, there you go. As you can see, the LED bulb is very solid, with the main body being an all metal construction as opposed to a standard PIAA filament bulb. There is an inherent weakness in the LED though in that it has a built in 'fan cooler'. This is similar to the fan found on PC desktops & laptops. However, in 25 years of using these, I've only ever had one fan failure and that was in a PC that ran 24/7 for over 8 years, so I guess it should be reliable enough.

comparison weight image

Image

It's very hard to get a comparison photo due to the limitations of not only my own skills, but my 'compact camera'! However, I have tried my best, you’ll mainly see a colour change rather than any extra ‘strength’...

comparison LED/filament

Image

I use to run an HID conversion, and one clear advantage of LED is that it's instant, rather than the 5 to 10 second warm up of HID. The brightness is superb, and so much better that the standard Victorian filament bulbs! I'm just curious if they are an MOT failure (like HID bulbs - unless you have a headlamp washer system), or would they pass without comment.

For £20 odd, it's an upgrade I wouldn't think twice on...


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 7:15 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
Posts: 51
Car Model: ST205
Just thought I'd update this thread and state that today the bulbs passed my MOT without question. Because of their 'instant on', I'm pretty sure the guy wasn't even aware they were exotic LED bulbs, whereas the HID warm up is a dead giveaway! (and HID bulbs are instant failures unless you have a built in headlamp wash system)


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 12:05 pm 
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Nice, they seem to have made some major progress with the tech on these. I've been looking at the Philips/CREE versions but not sure on legality so waiting to see what happens!

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 1:17 pm 
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
Diceman wrote:
Nice, they seem to have made some major progress with the tech on these. I've been looking at the Philips/CREE versions but not sure on legality so waiting to see what happens!


Just curious, what are you waiting for?


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 4:46 pm 
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A car that is on the road ;-)

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:31 pm 
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Clubman

Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm
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Car Model: ST205
Diceman wrote:
A car that is on the road ;-)


LOL, now, that makes sense, I'm guessing LED bulbs are way down on the 'to do' list then!


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