H4 bulbs vs LED bulbs?

[Ian Comerford]

Interesting thread on Pelican instigated by a guy who has developed many lighting solutions for our cars. U til recently he has been against substituting LED bulbs into H4 light assemblies for technical reasons.  It appears that Philips and Osram have now overcome these difficulties and engineered LED bulbs specifically to replace the H4s.  The performance gains look very worthwhile but a side topic of interest is “outdriving your lights”.  Worth a read

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1134680-h4s-vs-leds-one-measure.html

https://911bestinclass.com/pages/led-bulbs-vs-h4-bulbs-in-reflector-headlights?_pos=1&_sid=71df5efca&_ss=r

[Pablo]

I’m quite tempted to try a set of LED H4, anybody else gone that way?

[PeterK]

I have, although only used them in the rain so far, not the dark.  Looked a good improvement in the dark garage though - I compared them with H4 still in the NS and the new LED in the OS

[Zohar]

I use them on my 83 and very happy with them. 

[SurlySurdi]

If anyone is interested I have a set of headlamp LEDs from classiccarleds I would be willing to part with.

SS

[Chris T]

I may be interested, tell me more..... 

[SurlySurdi]

I'll dig them out today Chris from the garage, get a pic for you.

SS

[SurlySurdi]

Hi Chris, the link to these is:

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/latest-led-headlights-h4-philips-z-es-hi-lo-beam-conversion-9-32v

They are listed at £77 including VAT. The website shows free shipping without tracking but I will only send these tracked for £4

I have used these for about 2 months then my car went in for a restoration. The bodyshop put normal halogens back in and I don't want to faff around taking my headlamps out again.

I've added some pics, I think a fair price to a forum member is £50 plus shipping, they are in great condition. I'll give you first shout otherwise I'll post them on the for sale board.

SS

 

 

[Chris T]

I'll take them please, always wanted to try a set. PM me your payment details. Chris

[Ian Comerford]

I think these are the ones being discussed in the original article.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ultinon-Pro9000-Headlight-Bulb/dp/B08N56JH2L?th=1

[SurlySurdi]

28 minutes ago, Chris T said:

I'll take them please, always wanted to try a set. PM me your payment details. Chris

Chris I've pm'd you. Many thanks.

SS

[Chris_911]

1 hour ago, Ian Comerford said:

I think these are the ones being discussed in the original article.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ultinon-Pro9000-Headlight-Bulb/dp/B08N56JH2L?th=1

I have a set of those in my van - but there are newer models available.

[Zohar]

My car just cruised through the mot with the above bulbs. Excellent price. 

[Jonny Hart]

pre April 1986 cars are now ok for use of LED lamps in a halogen reflector:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions/mot-special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions

Edited February 20, 2023 by Jonny Hart

[Beaky]

On 20/02/2023 at 21:32, Jonny Hart said:

pre April 1986 cars are now ok for use of LED lamps in a halogen reflector:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions/mot-special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions

My car was built in Oct 1986, yet has the same light, as a pre April 911 but will not comply - so this date was randomly chosen?

[Chris T]

On 01/03/2023 at 17:01, Beaky said:

My car was built in Oct 1986, yet has the same light, as a pre April 911 but will not comply - so this date was randomly chosen?

Just tell the MOT man you have changed to earlier reflectors if challenged, how would he know? If he still fails it choose a more friendly MOT station. When my my local 'friendly' MOT guy moved I asked around and was advised that a particular local MOT station is more sympathetic to classics, and indeed it appears to be true. That's where I now go. 

[Beaky]

1 hour ago, Chris T said:

Just tell the MOT man you have changed to earlier reflectors if challenged, how would he know? If he still fails it choose a more friendly MOT station. When my my local 'friendly' MOT guy moved I asked around and was advised that a particular local MOT station is more sympathetic to classics, and indeed it appears to be true. That's where I now go. 

Agree, Jaz do my MOT and the rule of thumb for the place they use is as long as there is a normal H4 set in the car, they pass it!

[ajd]

On 20/02/2023 at 21:32, Jonny Hart said:

pre April 1986 cars are now ok for use of LED lamps in a halogen reflector:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions/mot-special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions

 

Hi,

Just noticed that link has been updated - but still appears to reflect the pre April 86 exemption for LED "conversions". I'm not sure I follow the logic of this date - why are older cars allowed to have them if there is a question post 86?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment

 

I need some new H4s and came across these - these barely look like "conversions" as they seem to plug in just like an H4 in same form factor etc. There is some tiny small print about off road use only but it doesn't really flag they are not legal - and in any case the above suggests my pre April 86 911 would be OK to try them anyway. They are a classic 3500k colour so should not look out of place.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ultinon-headlight-brightness-Easy-fit/dp/B0CZ16YS8Y/ref=pd_ci_mcx_pspc_dp_d_2_hxwCMP_sspa_dk_detail_t_1?pd_rd_w=ttpVt&content-id=amzn1.sym.e8e23981-6b72-4712-9062-c0f88a36d807&pf_rd_p=e8e23981-6b72-4712-9062-c0f88a36d807&pf_rd_r=2CCQ15SE1M1QAN441Q00&pd_rd_wg=tVj9Z&pd_rd_r=e6fda201-eebf-4b50-8f47-3f21f7cd572e&pd_rd_i=B0CZ16YS8Y

£54 but I might give them a try......

[Beaky]

I get my bulbs from these folks:

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/

 

[Type911]

Me too, would recommend