Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: 4129R on Sunday,February 11, 2024, 04:00:24 AM
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For the first time for very many years, I had to drive my Europa in the dark for over an hour before dawn and back home again after dusk, to go to a local car rally at Snetterton motor racing circuit.
My headlights were awful. Main beam was totally useless.
I have found Land Rover Defender 7" round LED headlights on eBay, for not a lot (£26.99 for a pair) , so I will try them. They claim 4x the light output, and have side light and indicator rings built in. Once fitted, I will let the Forum know if they are a worthwhile option.
One problem I found is that being about 36" off the ground, most modern car headlights virtually blinded me, so down country lanes, driving was more like aiming, and when raining hard, it was verging on dangerous.
Am I losing my bottle in old age, or have others noted similar problems at night?
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When I first bought my car, a college buddy and I went on a road trip and every night it seemed I would complain that many of the oncoming traffic had their brights on. This was in the ‘70s when car’s headlights were lower than they seem now (especially considering all the SUVs on the road now. Other than tinting, using visors (which I deleted since I’m looking out of the top four or so inches of the windshield), or sunglasses, I’m not sure what you can do.
As for headlights, I converted to LEDs. I already had Halogens so I replaced my bulbs. Holly sells LED lamps for classic cars which I have no trouble believing are better than what I have. However, the Holly lamps aren’t cheap. Here’s the thread on LED H4 conversions and the Holly lamps that might be useful: https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=5635.msg60989#msg60989
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It's not the output but the pattern. Some LED's are like flood lights blinding everyone but not helping the driver. I've seen a lot of reviews o the Holley LED's and they seem pretty good.
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When you convert to the new headlights, be sure to do the math to calculate the increased amperage they draw. Then compare the figure to the rating of the switch and associated wiring. I put higher wattage bulbs in my S1 Europa and nearly burned up the light switch. To accommodate the bulbs, I added relays and heavier gauge wire. I've been wearing yellow shooting glasses for night driving for years. They aren't the complete answer to today's ridiculously bright headlights, but they are a big help.
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What concerns me about LED bulbs in normal headlight lenses is the point of focus for the bulb filament, as this has to be crucial to both the light output and the beam pattern. If it is in the wrong place, or lit over too big a point source area, it won't work properly on lenses designed for small bulb filaments.
These Land Rover headlights are designed for LED bulbs, so the beam pattern should be correct. Plus both bulbs only drain 3 amps, so there is no problem with the supply wiring being overloaded as it would be with 120w main beam bulbs taking 20 amps in total.
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Thanks for looking into this, I’d be really interested to find out how you get on.
You are not the only one I’m fine driving at night with my trusty Volvo xc70….the S2 is an extraordinary challenge with the brightness of the oncoming modern traffic at 36” height …..nice to find a solution as the roads are quieter at night
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This is what I have bought. Cheap !!!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145259137784
I will report when delivered and tested.
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My opinion is those are a matter of taste. They look pretty "modern" on a classic car but to each his own. I think they'll probably throw a LOT of light! I'm looking forward to pictures!
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The Holley LEDs are bright, effective and have minimal scatter. I have them in my Lotus Seven S3 and they look correct not like the alien-eyes look of so many others. You want to look original and smile at night? Go with the Holleys.
Almost all Lotuses are vertically challenged and we sit right where everyone’s low beams aim, never-mind high beams. Today’s high beams are projectors with shutters giving the low beam cut off. This means that high and low beam are of equal intensity. If you are in the beam, it’s bright. There are techniques that can help. Look to the side as you approach opposing traffic. Fit a rear view mirror with a dim setting. Adjust your side mirrors so you have to move your head to the side to view your flanks. These all help.
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The lights arrived.
The problems:- The 3 lugs on the lenses do not line up with the cut-outs on the metal circular rims that hold the lights to the light bowl. But you can fit them without lining up the lugs.
You have to cut off the light electrical connector, extend the wires, and connect to dip, main, earth, indicator, and side light, so 5 electrical connections each side.
The features:- Dip beam stays on with main beam, so plenty of light
Side lights are a white ring around the edge circumference
Orange indicators are an orange version of the side lights.
You may not like the look of the lights during daylight. I quite like them, they look purposeful and not too different. If you wanted you could get rid of the orange eyes above the clean front line.
Enclosed is what they look like.
Tonight I road test them to see just how bright they are. I am expecting a brilliant performance !
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I don't mind those…definitely could live with them….like the idea that dip stays on with main beam as well
Good luck with the inaugural drive
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Well.................it got very dark last night, I live in the countryside, so I thought I would take the car out for a test drive to see how the new headlights would work. I turned on dip beam in my driveway, and it blinded me standing up about 10 yards from the car. Main beam made no difference. What could be the problem?
Well I said that the lugs on the lens did not line up with the cut-outs in the metal ring, well actually 2 of the 3 do, and you have to cut out the 3rd so the lens seats properly in the ring. I found that out this afternoon when I realised what the problem was.
I would like to nominate myself for "Wally of the Week". I had put the lenses in upside down.
So I have now cut slots in the two rings, fitted the lenses the right way up, big circle to the bottom, not to the top as shown on my photo above.
I now await darkness eagerly to see how good they really are.
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We’re eagerly awaiting your report!
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On the strength of the first photo, I've also bought a set so your second post about fitting them is very handy. I'm actually going to try them in the Elan where they'll be hidden until they're switched on. If they work better than the LED "bulbs" I've got in the Europa, I'll get a second set for that.
I can't get over how cheap they are, I've just paid £25 for a pair as I had them on my watch list and the seller came back with an offer of a few quid off.
Brian
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While I would never fit these to my "Period correct" S2 I wonder if they would handle the 24V system of my Land Rover 101 - former missile carrier?
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I have an old Land Rover 90 as well……….I have just bought two sets….thanks for the tip about getting them the correct way up
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Complete success. The side lights are very white and very bright, so when I parked the car outside the shop in the next village, the car was obvious, even though it was pitch dark.
Dip beam is excellent. Very white, very bright, with good cut-off and beam spread.
Main beam comes on with dip beam, and it is like having two huge Super Oscars as well as headlights, but without the extra huge spotlights, and the beam shake you get with spotlights, and the big drain on the alternator output.
They are highly recommended, and if you don't like them, at £30, they will hardly break your monthly budget.
Just remember, 5 light electrical connections each side, black is negative, blue is the centre one for dip low beam, and white the other side to the black is for the main high beam. Green wire is for the indicator orange ring, and red the is the sidelight. Make 1 extra cut-out in the metal rim for the lens lug, and fit them with the big round main beam at the bottom, NOT at the top on my photo.
Apparently they work from 9v-32v DC, so ideal for missile carriers !
Happy safe night driving.
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Great news….great to hear they work for you
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For those of you that fit these LED lights, please tell me what you think of them.
I had always been concerned about the low light output, even from Cibie H180 halogen headlights with 55/60 watt bulbs. I had not fitted 100/120 watt halogen bulbs as I thought 20 amps down the wiring would overload the fuse and the wires.
I did not want to spoil the clean front lines by fitting spot lights, I thought they would look completely out of place. I had thought of fitting an LED light bar in the grill, but now with these LED headlights, which have both dip and main on together, it is like fitting Cibie Biode headlights, which I don't think are made any more, and which were expensive, but without the drain on the amps from 4 x 55 watt halogen bulbs.
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Well, my lights arrived on Saturday and I've got to say they do look amazing value for the money.
I put them on my watch list when Alex posted the link and a day later the seller sent an offer of £25 so I decided to try them in the Elan. Now they're actually here I think I might go ahead on the Europa instead, I'm coming round to the idea of a constant driving light and a more visible indicator lamp. It's certainly not period classic but with more and more cars having these features, the Europa being low and unlit is probably not a good idea now.
Brian
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Mine arrived Saturday as well. They do look extraordinary for the money. Oil change today…track day next weekend then I'll fit them.
They aren’t a classic look but for regular use on our busy roads I think they are just the ticket.
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Sounds like some great results here. Does anyone have any insights into how the performance of these lights compares with the Holley LEDs mentioned earlier in this thread?
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£171.56 v £26.99 !!!
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Got mine today £25.64. They have "DOT SAE E9" marking which is for Spain, rather than E11 for UK. Technically not type approved in UK. ...but Spanish cars can be used over here.....
Not surprised for price. I'd still rather be seen.
Still need to replace clutch first....
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Any info on the current draw?
The spec sheet in the ad says 600w - which would suggest about 50 amps....
Suspect the LED draw is about 1/10 of the predicted.
Thanks
grant
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Any info on the current draw?
The spec sheet in the ad says 600w - which would suggest about 50 amps....
Suspect the LED draw is about 1/10 of the predicted.
Thanks
grant
Measured from current readout on a bench power supply set to 12V, one headlight only.
Indicator (permanent on) - 0.328 Amps
Side light (in UK) - 0.349 Amps
Dipped Headlight - 1.5 Amps
Full Beam (dipped is on as well so no extra draw if you turn that on) - 2.420 Amps
I didn't try with side/indicator on as well as Full Beam but I wouldn't expect it to go over 3 Amps
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Thanks SilverBeast
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Got mine today £25.64. They have "DOT SAE E9" marking which is for Spain, rather than E11 for UK. Technically not type approved in UK. ...but Spanish cars can be used over here.....
Not surprised for price. I'd still rather be seen.
Still need to replace clutch first....
Out of interest for Uk owners I was polishing the faded headlights of my Audi A2'today and popped the front lens to wipe out some condensation and noticed mine were stamped E9 aswell.
Still haven't fitted them yet....don't want to rush....want to enjoy the process