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AndyD

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Posts posted by AndyD

    LED indicator bulbs and full replacement LED front units - clear lenses

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Replacement LED front indicator units

    As well as the rear LED bulb upgrade to Cree LEDs, I've also replaced the front indicator units with sealed LED units. They are made by WIPAC and are E-marked and DOT-marked so should be compliant in many countries, including the UK. If anyone wants to know exactly what markings are on them just ask and I will post them all and take a picture. Plenty of info on the websites selling them too - see below.

     

    Fitting

    These are 73mm outer diameter, which is the same as the originals that they replace. They are mounted on the original pod but you need to drill two new holes as the mount holes are different. I bought some M4x40mm pan head machine screws and nyloc nuts in stainless steel to mount them through the pods. The wires were supplied with an AMP-style connector and a wire length of about six inches, which is not long enough for a Caterham. So, I bought a couple of sets of AMP Superseal connectors, which are waterproof, and snipped the wires at the back of the old indicator units and crimped the connectors onto the original wiring so that they are hidden under the indicator pod and cable-tied into place to keep it neat. Saved having to push new wires through the headlight mounting tubes etc, but you do need to sacrifice your old units by cutting the wires. Happy to post pics if anyone is interested.

     

    Performance

    I've done a side-by-side comparison with my old indicator units with clear lenses and "standard" amber LED bulbs that have three LEDs pointing forwards, the rest around the sides. The new unit is on the left in the photos, shown both illuminated and off so you can see how they look. The peripheral performance is limited (i.e. viewing from an angle other then straight ahead), but owing to the fact that there are 16 LEDs all pointing forwards, when you are in front of them they are almost blinding!

     

    Pictures

    Comparison photo

    Close-up photo

     

    Cost

    These are being sold to both Land Rover Defender and Harley Davidson owners on lots of websites. I bought mine from here and paid about £35 including postage for the pair. A search for wipac led clear indicator should give plenty of options. A bag of 5 sets of Superseal connectors is about £7 on ebay and a crimping tool can be had for about £15 if you don't have one. I bought a cheapie and butchered it to get it to work - fine for a few pins like this.

     

    This is by far the best lighting upgrade I've done to my Caterham and will hopefully give me a chance of actually informing other road users what I'm about to do *smile*

     

    Apologies if someone else has already covered these units but I couldn't find reference.

     

    Cheers,

    Andy

     

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 21:08:38

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 21:09:18

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 21:11:01

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 21:11:41

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 21:34:57

    LED indicator bulbs and full replacement LED front units - clear lenses

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Quoting Grant_7: 
    Do you have an inline resistor or some form of relay mod to be able to use these LEDs in the rear?

     

    Good question. I have a replacement indicator relay (from SevenSpeed in my case) that allows the LED bulbs to operate correctly. For those not yet in the know, the low power consumption (resistance) of LED bulbs can make the car think that a bulb has blown which causes the indicators to flash very quickly when used. As well as dealing with this, the one I now have also sounds nicer as it produces a quieter and more modern "plink" as the indicators flash.

     

    Andy

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 23 Aug 2014 07:34:07

    LED indicator bulbs and full replacement LED front units - clear lenses

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    The second recommendation looks good for forwards-facing indicator pods yes. The ones I fitted to the rear have two LEDs on the end and eight down the sides, arranged in twos. With the positioning of the bulb holder on the rear cluster you get two LEDs pointing almost directly backwards with any reflective upgrades you've done behind the bulbs no doubt helping. Mine currently have no reflector upgrades added although I've just ordered some bright ali tape to coat the front of the light block in.

     

    I've also upgraded the front indicator units with fully enclosed LED units. Bit of a fiddle to replace all the wiring but they are truly blinding as you get 15-20 LEDs all pointing directly forwards. I'll post pics and ordering details when I have more time.

     

    Cheers, Andy

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 23 Aug 2014 07:28:28

    LED indicator bulbs and full replacement LED front units - clear lenses

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    I've just upgraded my rear indicator bulbs in my clear lenses from "standard" LED replacements to CREE LED bulbs. Whilst they're still not as bright as a replacement LED light unit, they are a marked improvement and are visible in daylight.

     

    Bulbs on ebay here.

     

    Picture showing difference here (new bulb on the right).

     

    Not cheap at £30 *eek* but a marked improvement over regular LED bulbs.

     

     

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 25 Aug 2014 20:15:51

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 26 Aug 2014 21:05:45

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 26 Aug 2014 21:06:56

    Vinyl Stripe

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    You clearly have impeccable taste *wink*

     

    Have you tried CC? My 2009 kit from them came supplied with vinyl noseband and bonnet stripe pre-fitted.

     

    http://OneDrive.us.to/36336082378F19B8!61726&authkey=!ALf1XPuvbK2yvAs&v=3&ithint=photo%2Cjpg

     

    I can't find any bonnet stripes on http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk but they may be able to supply one or point you to someone who can.

     

    Good luck!

     

    Edited by - AndyD on 20 Aug 2014 16:50:21

    Sigma Throttle Response

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Check the little black rubber tube that plugs into the thing next to the ECU. No idea what it's called so could be what he said *arrowup*. Think it's used on the 125 but disconnected on the 150 (hope so anyway, as my 150 has no pipe plugged into that thing).
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