Td5 D2 electrics - Tungsten to LED (3)

Decided to purchase a pair of what I call point-source  LED luminaires to use in the dipped headlight position on Hx.

I recently replaced the front sidelights on Hx with brighter LEDs and the result is an inbalance in the perceived tone of the light from the sidelight and the dipped Tungsten headlamps. 

Replacing the Tungsten headlight bulbs with these now readily available 'point source' LEDs will remedy that situation whilst retaining the correct beam projection and give the front an updated look.

Purchased from Ebay a pair of H7 fitting LED bulbs as shown below. They were listed as 'UK Stock' and arrived pretty sharpish. They cost £9.49 for the pair which is still cheaper then a pair of  'Osram Nightbreaker' tungsten bulbs. 

These bulbs incorporate a reflective 'trumpet'

design which helps to direct the light output from the two rings of LEDS into a concentrated 'point-source'  which pretty much mimics the traditional tungsten bulb filament. Therefore, they should produce the correct beam pattern when installed in the headlamp enclosure.

There are two rings of 8 LEDs that direct their light output directly onto the reflective surface of the 'trumpets'.

There is another four LEDs mounted on the end of the body beneath a lensed cover.  All together that makes a total of 20 LEDs in each light bulb 

I have already bench-tested these just to check that they work. I found their output to be blindingly bright, so I am a little concerned about their performance when fitted, but I guess all will be revealed soon...

COURTESY  LIGHT ISSUES 

A few months ago I replaced the internal courtesy festoon lamps with red LED festoon equivalents. I lived with this situation for many months but have gradually come to realise that the current front headlining lights do not adequately light the front seat area.  

Concurrent to this is the plan I have to install the courtesy light unit from a P38 onto the headlining. That plan has also kind of stalled for the moment. 

So the other day I swapped out one of the red LED festoons for an original Tungsten festoon bulb initially rated at 10w but soon swapped that out for a 5w festoon. 

In the cargo area the red LED festoon was swapped for a white LED festoon with much better results. I tend to switch that rear light manually when required and leave it in the 'off' position so that it does not auto-light if the back door is operated.