REPLACEMENT BULBS/GLOBES

[Dr Chris]

Good morning all,
I know there have been many references to this topic in the past, but the trouble with age is that I forget where I saved it, and then have to start again. So I appeal for forgiveness please?
i would like to find some of the data on LED lighting both to comprehend, and also to implement replacement globes/bulbs in the Patrol's lights. I also have two HELLA spots as well
There are so many confusing and varied opinions about this topic, what to buy and techniques on how to do so?
The Chinese products have a definite pricing advantage and they seem to work well in other lighting systems?

Many thanks,
Chris.

[Peter Connan]

Chris, is that LED, or HID?

I know of no bulb replacement to LED?

[Grant]

Hi Chris,


I have HID's in the front of my Troll and am happy. Got a set from Auto Style and fitted them myself. Work very well. Just spent some time trying to water proof them. As for LED's I have fitted rear brake and tail lights, and front / pannel side lights - only on the GQ. Interior lights have been changed to LED, and works like a dream.


Only major cost was changing the GQ headlights as for the HID to work, they need to be clear lenses.

[Grootseun]

Chris - LED only for the indicators , park lamps , tail and stop and interior lights , be prepared to have issues with your indicators flashing to fast then , the flasher unit requires 2x 21w bulbs to fuction properly , there is ways around this though

As for HID - yes they are avaialble for your headlights and in the same globe configuration as your spots which should be either H1 or H3

As for the chinese versions - personally i wont go that route - ive had a few bad experiences with the units being faulty from day one and also failing not long after fitment - if i remember there was a forum member on here advertising that they sell proper units ?

Also be aware and i know that a tonne of guys are going to argue with me but in fact HID in a normal reflector designed for a tungsten fillament globe is not the best light you can get , there is a distinct difference in the shape of the light the the two bulbs produce and the reflector should be designed accordingly , peronally tested this by adjusting the lights on my truck perfectly using a computerised head light adjusting unit and then replaced teh same buld with HID , what a bugger to get it setup right so that i dont blind oncoming traffic , the light also had a few stray beams all over the place

I can go search for the tchnical article related to that but there was also a huge write up on it in a few automotive magasines last year

[AndriesS]

I've tried two sets of HID, first was no name brand - bulb base was already slightly rusted. Second set I got conned, cleverly labelled as Philip instead of Philips.

Both sets had at least one bulb that was out of focus. I swapped them around to check if it was related to the lens but not. one would focus correct and the other would be way high. reverted back to normal bulbs.

As for changing all bulbs to leds, you might need some incandescent bulbs on the turn signal, not sure if the Patrol use and electronic one else the flash will be fast. Again not all led replacement bulbs are equal and some just do not have the output of the normal bulb. The design is also critical to the lens design, as some led bulbs are more focus on in line light distribution versus radial. on my other car the light emitted with LED was very poor cause the reflector was actually used a lot of the light coming from the sides of the bulb to make the lens appear brighter.

[Grootseun]

To my knowledge the patrol uses a standard flasher unit for turn signals

You can either replace this with a LED compatible type that you order form ebay or you can fiddle around with some resistors to up the wattage to sort it out , in essence you short it to earth wiht the resistors

And yes def the lenses and reflectors have a huge efect on the focussing of the light let alone the qaulity of the HID kit you buy , as they say there is a reason why some go for R900 and other go for R2500

[Dr Chris]

Thanks guys this is very helpful - again!
Peter: HID's are what I am really looking for! Thanks for the correction!

To comment: I have also fitted the patrol with indicator and tail lights (upper and lower) using standard bulbs at the back, and these work brilliantly! So I will keep them as is.
I think my main concern must focus on the head lights and also the spot lights.
To reply to this: Costing of the replacements is a worry, and R2500 is high for me, when I currently use the spots in combo with high beams (only).
Andries also alludes to my point about being conned and purchasing only to find that it becomes a waste of time and money?
Driko: I am grateful for your help again! And I think that Grant's guidance is worthy of exploring and this may be the route to follow?

Chris

[Grootseun]

Chris you drive a GU 2004 model , Grant drives a GQ i think a 96 model , in his car you easilly swop the headlights out , we dont have that option on GUs unless you can source lights form someone designed specificaly for the GU , i know there was a guy on the Aus foeum named Jet6 that specilised in this kind of conversion

[Kagiso II]

Hallo Dok Chris -- ja, liggies kan nogal ou besig hou

Ask Herrie [oom Kobus] With the 130 watt globes you really don't have to go HID - BUT it is important to get quality relay's for them

When we fitted the 130 watts to Kobus' Patrol's spotlights [Hella 700's] the one light was much less bright than teh other - we swopped the relays around - and the bright light followed the relay

[Kobus -- watter maak was die goeie ene nou weer ???]

[Grootseun]

The resident Auto Electrician recomends nothing less than Hella or Bosch relays , Oom Mac where doe sone still get 130W globes they were declared unroadworthy back in 2007 already ?