LED bulb kit upgrade Elise S2

[Foggy]

I have bought LED bulb kits to replace the existing poor halogen H1 and H7 bulbs. These are somewhat bigger beyond the lens due to inbuilt cooling fans. The H1’s dipped headlight have gone in nice and easy, but the main beam H7’s will not go in with the light fitting in situ. Has anyone had to remove the fitting and how easy is it to do? I think that the bulb kit will fit by removing the fitting, it just will not go in due to the angle needed to locate through back of the lens. Due to the bulkiness of the cooling fan and the angle of the inside of the clam it just will not pass.

when refitting will I need a garage to realign the lights to make legal?

Thanks

Simon

[mattb130]

Splitting hairs here but they will never be legal even if they are aligned. The housing needs to be designed with LED to carry the correct sign off and therefore be legal.

You could concoct a make shift cover to allow the back of the the bulb to be covered. But if it as big as you suggest then that could be difficult and it may well get melted depending on the heat rejection of the bulb. might be worth checking you’ve got enough room to get the access panel from the wheel arch back on with the bulb in place as that may seal its fate. 
 

I went with some slightly higher rated halogen bulbs and honestly they make the car very usable at night on dipped beam so much so I haven’t touched the high beam. 

[Television]

Did you get this sorted in the end?

 

[timbo]

22 hours ago, Television said:

Did you get this sorted in the end?

 

Hopefully the OP decided to keep it safe/legal and fitted better-quality standard type bulbs, as suggested by mattyb130. According to the MOT manual:

“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”

Also, all HID and LED headlights must be fitted with self-levelling devices and washers, to prevent the obvious danger of stray light and dazzle to other drivers.

TBH, I've often thought anyone who can't see well enough using decent standard headlights might want to visit Specsavers (other opticians are also available...) just to check they don't genuinely have an eyesight issue with their night-time vision.

[mattb130]

On 18/08/2023 at 08:51, timbo said:

Hopefully the OP decided to keep it safe/legal and fitted better-quality standard type bulbs, as suggested by mattyb130. According to the MOT manual:

“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”

Also, all HID and LED headlights must be fitted with self-levelling devices and washers, to prevent the obvious danger of stray light and dazzle to other drivers.

TBH, I've often thought anyone who can't see well enough using decent standard headlights might want to visit Specsavers (other opticians are also available...) just to check they don't genuinely have an eyesight issue with their night-time vision.

HIDs and LEDs only need self levelling if the angle change from 1up to fully laden sends the beam too high. If you load an Elise or Exige up the weight isn’t going to change the angle of the beam enough to need the self levelling due to the weight distribution. However HIDs and aftermarket LEDS are normally over 2000lumens which means they need a cleaning function. A lot of the oem led solutions are in fact  sub 2000 lumens and don’t have powerwash.

[timbo]

Yes, there are additional technical specifications as you mention; however the MOT advice is still (to the best of my knowledge):

" It is not permitted to convert existing halogen headlamp units for use with HID bulbs. If it is clear that such a conversion has 
been carried out, rather than replacing the entire unit with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs, the headlamp should be rejected."

(Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671818/mot-inspection-manual-for-classes-3-4-5-and-7-from-20-may-2018-draft.pdf )

This also deals with the various defect levels for washers & levelling, the former being post-September 2009.

The DfT view is aftermarket kits are not legal; not only that but use of them can create a genuine hazard to other road users so - legal or not - it's not really a great idea anyway!

[Television]

I find the LED bulbs have come on a great deal these days and I view them as just a better version of a halogen rather than an HID kit which ncludes all the extra wiring etc. The headlights as standard are pretty terrible for the country roads near us as you can barely see the road when a modern car with HIDS is approaching. We have no street lights etc

Tthe LEDS just give you a better brighter light across the road without blinding others so are all good for our needs. 
Incidentally none of our LED equipped cars have ever failed their MOT’s. 

[Lemma01]

 Just lost both low-beam lights yesterday on 2005 111S Type 25.

Replaced the Switch pack a few years ago (after lost dash lights) so hoping it's not that...

I will go for fuse and /or new bulbs.  What should I be buying, please?