LED headlights

johnymd

Club Member
I was driving around last week and a London cab was following me. The first thing I noticed was the headlights. They were the halo style daytime running lights which I've seen on a few cars. What I hadn't noticed was that they changed to flashing amber when the indicators or hazards were on. These have probably been around for ages and I just haven't kept up on the times. I know these wont be to everyone's taste and I certainly wouldn't put them on a standard car but thought I'd try a set for the red 280z as it will be quite modified. I had a quick check on ebay and found quite a few people selling them for £250 but found the same ones in china for £80 so thought I'd take a punt. They arrived today so I'll take them to the workshop later and power them up. They are a direct fit H4 connection plus 2 terminals to control the halo colours.
 

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Russell

Club Member
Interested to see how they look. I have seen loads of options for defenders in all sorts of designs but just not sure if they will suit the Z unless it’s highly modified


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Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
I don't think LED headlights are legal yet on Historic vehicles. I read an article recently that stated this - it's an historical thing based on the minimum 'wattage' requirement for headlights and of course LED draw low current so the wattage is very low.

I suppose that will get updated at some time - bit like cycle lighting.
 
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jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
I don't think LED headlights are legal yet. I read an article recently that stated this - it's an historical thing based on the minimum 'wattage' requirement for headlights and of course LED draw low current so the wattage is very low.

I suppose that will get updated at some time - bit like cycle lighting.

New BMWs come with LED headlights, so I hope they're legal.
 

johnymd

Club Member
I would imagine that most cars now come with LED lighting due to the cost savings, less copper ect.
 

johnymd

Club Member
With regard to legality, as car headlights are supposed to be capable of illuminating the road up to 100m ahead, I would say most standard zed headlights are not fit for the purpose and could be considered illegal.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
Be interested to see how they turn out. Not cos I want some though - just to see. I want the original candles upfront - I want to drive the car as it was in 1972!
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator

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Farmer42

Club Member
....... I want the original candles upfront - I want to drive the car as it was in 1972!

I want to see where I am going & keep my pride & joy in one piece. :driving: As Huw & Wyn will confirm, I have difficulty seeing fenceposts in the daylight let alone in the dark:(

Not that I drive much in the dark but I have converted my 'candles' to H4 to avoid the 'brown trouser moments' but worried about frying my electrics so LED with lower power draw is a viable option that I would consider.

I seem to remember there was a recent thread on this.
 

Dave B

Well-Known Forum User
Saw some a while back with Amber led’s down one side. My first though was, great for deleting the ugly square 280z indicators. Reckon I’ll end up running some, along with a skillard grille to get rid of the indicator holes


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toopy

Club Member
Well you see enough bloody cyclists with flashing led white lights, you know the ones that are illegal to have in flashing mode while riding!
They are getting brighter and brighter, to the point now that its ridiculous, like someone with full beam on... and flashing! :cool:
 

toopy

Club Member
I want to see where I am going & keep my pride & joy in one piece. :driving: As Huw & Wyn will confirm, I have difficulty seeing fenceposts in the daylight let alone in the dark:(

Not that I drive much in the dark but I have converted my 'candles' to H4 to avoid the 'brown trouser moments' but worried about frying my electrics so LED with lower power draw is a viable option that I would consider.

I seem to remember there was a recent thread on this.

Dont forget, its not just the bulb that creates the light, the reflector and lense make a big difference too.

The original Zed headlights have the lense on the glass, modern ones have the lense incorporated into the reflector and are far more effective.
 

Tony 260Z

Club Member
I've been looking at LED headlights for a while, especially for the brown 240. I want some! Most of the suitable 7" models seem to be advertised as being for landies etc unless you look at the megabucks ones. Quality seems to be one issue - so far the chinese versions aren't highly regarded but let's hope these work better. There also seems to be a major legality issue because although they might pass an MOT test in terms of direction and cut-off they can still be too bright (which seems a contradiction to me) and can fail whatever the car equivalent of building regs is called (can't remember off the top of my head) and therefore be illegal. I think the rules for older Z's are actually more relaxed but (a) they still need to be "E" marked and (b) it's still a grey area legally. Kinda depends on whether you get stopped by a particularly jobsworth member of the constabulary!
 

johnymd

Club Member
I powered them up to check they worked but that was about it. The only problem I had was the difference between high and low beam was almost non existent.
 
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