Bulb Recommendations

pigeonguyuk · 8 Jan 2024 at 14:27

Hi All

Looking some recommendations for Bulbs for my 2010 Honda Accord.

Unfortunately due to the state of the local roads my car seems to kill bulbs randomly and sometimes quite quickly. The main issue is the crappy design and restricted fitting its a bumper off and headlight out job.

So considering some LED bulbs aver standard

was looking at these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KATUR-Brightness-Conversion-Adjustable-Waterproof/dp/B08SBVDP6P?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

then spotted these Philips Bulbs whihc are more expensive but with the brand name could possibly be better build quality

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ultinon-headlight-ultra-compact-direct-fit/dp/B0CHX34K88/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=Wete0&content-id=amzn1.sym.444ba109-cdf8-4a96-9f01-f73a5ebc80ca%3Aamzn1.symc.adba8a53-36db-43df-a081-77d28e1b71e6&pf_rd_p=444ba109-cdf8-4a96-9f01-f73a5ebc80ca&pf_rd_r=SVJGRK2TACVCTA4089HP&pd_rd_wg=14Y47&pd_rd_r=7d282607-95bc-4aab-9c7c-7f0ece582695&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m&th=1

Looking to do same for Dipped and Full beams H1 / HB3 bulbs

jpaul · 8 Jan 2024 at 14:41

I thought the ultinon ones don't have necessary EU certification to be legal on UK roads;
otherwise, I follow advice in many earlier threads of (h7) philips + 30% bulbs ... yellowish sidelights annoy me so my first leds maybe some w5w sidelight 4000K's

kaku · 8 Jan 2024 at 14:57

My understanding is that retrofitting LED bulbs is an MOT fail now. I usually see them advertised with the "off road usage" disclaimer.

robj20 · 8 Jan 2024 at 15:11

Yep LED retrofit are illegal on the road.
Especially a bad idea in reflector housing, you could probably get away with them in projector type ones though.

pastymuncher · 8 Jan 2024 at 19:00

Would that include mounting a LED in a reversing light? My B-Max only has a single reversing light and it's pathetic and illuminates bugger all. We only have a single street light in our cul-de-sac and it's light doesn't come as far as our house so reverse parking is like going out on a pitch black night with a torch whose batteries have almost run out.

jpaul · 8 Jan 2024 at 21:19

pastymuncher said:
Would that include mounting a LED in a reversing light?

probably not - the osram w5w I mentioned probably has no certificate like V

Osram W2.1 x 9.5d LED Signal/Indicator/Interior Off-Road Bulbs (W5W) 0.8W 2 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. LED replacement for the Osram Original W5W and suitable for all vehicles with conventional W5W lamp bases. Provides a modern, intense light and has a temperature of up to 6000K. Offers an easy upgrade to LED technology with 'Plug & Play' system. LED retrofit lamps...

www.screwfix.com

LED replacement for the Osram Original W5W and suitable for all vehicles with conventional W5W lamp bases. Provides a modern, intense light and has a temperature of up to 6000K. Offers an easy upgrade to LED technology with 'Plug & Play' system. LED retrofit lamps can use less energy than standard lamps. This product does not have ECE approval and must not be used on public roads in any exterior application.

( rhetorically ) not sure why it is not illegal to sell non-std car bulbs ... like home incandescents

MrRockliffe · 8 Jan 2024 at 22:43

The only time an LED retrofit in to a projector housing has worked for me is with Xenon.

Halogen projectors typically kick up quite high on the left. I read somewhere it’s for pedestrian visibility. It means though, if you fit LEDs, they will match the beam pattern, but you’ll blind everyone you drive past, and still won’t see further down the road.

I’ve tried many different lights in the fiesta, but regardless of them matching the beam pattern of the halogens, I know I’m blinding people, so they’ve been taken out.

Stick with halogens

Nasher · 8 Jan 2024 at 22:50

LED retrofits aren't road legal, but unlikely to fail because of it. The tester cannot remove the bulbs to check them. None of them are approved for external use but no one seems to care about that in the UK.

The beam pattern will be the problem. It won't be right. LED lights aren't much better than good halogens TBH, just whiter. Which isn't always a good thing.

Another problem with LED... They weirdly seem to interfere with DAB signal.

jpaul · 9 Jan 2024 at 10:01

Nasher said:
Another problem with LED... They weirdly seem to interfere with DAB signal.

yes that's a good point -both the hyperikon and v-tac led bulbs in the house interfere with fm radio,
and I thought potentially interfere with wi-fi channels, impacting any mobile tethering in cars.

all because of em/ir from the cheap power supplies in the bulbs ... I'd potentially hold an fm radio near them in the car to see if they are bad.

Resident · 9 Jan 2024 at 10:21

pastymuncher said:
Would that include mounting a LED in a reversing light? My B-Max only has a single reversing light and it's pathetic and illuminates bugger all. We only have a single street light in our cul-de-sac and it's light doesn't come as far as our house so reverse parking is like going out on a pitch black night with a torch whose batteries have almost run out.

You can change any bulb to LED EXCEPT for dipped and main beam

Terminal_Boy · 9 Jan 2024 at 10:30

pastymuncher said:
Would that include mounting a LED in a reversing light? My B-Max only has a single reversing light and it's pathetic and illuminates bugger all. We only have a single street light in our cul-de-sac and it's light doesn't come as far as our house so reverse parking is like going out on a pitch black night with a torch whose batteries have almost run out.

I did this on my Duster after finding no prohibition in France for doing so. Made a huge difference.

Kenai · 9 Jan 2024 at 11:07

If you are swapping other bulbs to LED, I'd still be inclined to use half decent brands to avoid potential for the bulb failure warnings you can get with cheap LED bulbs.

jpaul · 9 Jan 2024 at 11:49

Resident said:
You can change any bulb to LED EXCEPT for dipped and main beam

I think you can't change any external light per mine and nashers post ..
the police probably wouldn't see a reversing light,
but a registration plate lit with a 6000K led bulb might present challenges for a speed camera ? one that flickered at a high frequency might be 'good'.

Resident · 9 Jan 2024 at 22:18

jpaul said:
I think you can't change any external light per mine and nashers post ..
the police probably wouldn't see a reversing light,
but a registration plate lit with a 6000K led bulb might present challenges for a speed camera ? one that flickered at a high frequency might be 'good'.

Had police look at mine at a local meet that they're apart of.

With the exception of my main and dipped EVERY bulb in my car is LED. Gave me a clean bill of health.