In article , Arfa Daily
wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article , Arfa Daily
wrote:
LED replacement automotive bulbs that conform to regulations, already
exist. Look at, for instance

Are you sure there are replacement types that are approved? In Europe
they would be 'E' marked.

To be honest Dave, I'm not certain. I'm sure I have seen them on
websites where they claim to match the specs for brightness etc, so
I've always assumed that any that are deliberately manufactured as
'replacements', would similarly match.

Having played around with them many that claim this certainly are not.
An ordinary filament bulb gives an approximately 360 degree even light
output. The fitting includes a reflector to then direct that light where
needed. And this can be important with things like indicators (21 watt)
where you want them visible from a wide angle. Those multiple 'ordinary'
LED replacements simply don't do this.

However, I accept what you say,
and they might not all be. Are the likes of Lucas or Delco or whoever
making these things yet ?

I've yet to see any OEM replacements for tungsten. And those would have to
be E marked to be legal in the UK etc.

I guess that would be the best guarantee of
compliance. In any event, I should think that ones made for the job,
are likely to be better in terms of brightness and viewing angle, than
something that you would cobble together yourself ??

I'm not so sure. One problem seems to be incorporating both the LEDs and
drivers - either electronic or simple resistive - within a replacement
unit. If you modify things to use an external driver you give greater
versatility. Wide angle high power LEDs are available these days to match
a 21 watt tungsten.

FWIW, I don't actually like the latest generation of cars that are
fitted with LED tail and brake lights. They are invariably pulse
driven, and when your eyes do a 'flick', the pulsed LEDs leave a trail
of 'dots' of light across your vision. Most off-putting when driving at
night. The roadworks cone lamps are similarly pulsed. and create the
same effect.

Another example of fashion before practicality? Power consumption of such
things in cars ain't important and LEDs which are bright enough without
being pulse driven exist. More expensive, though.

--
*Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.