The old chief is not quite with it me thinks. I have a 2014 Colorado twin cab ute with no LED lights but want to try and brighten things up at the rear by changing the reverse lights to LED but the super manager at the local cheap auto shop told me the Collie would be un-roadworhty if I did that. If LED's were not fitted at new they can't be changed. She went on further saying it can be done but only if 4x4 driving on off road or in the bush. Once back on the black stuff the LED's have to be changed back.
Now I know I am silly (beat ya down the back) BUT am I really
What do you knowledgable people out there say About the lights that is
Ge said
09:56 AM Mar 5, 2018
Would not have clue but like you waiting for the answer so i can tell the chief who can tell the whole tribe (me). Regards Ge (Running scared)
rockylizard said
10:26 AM Mar 5, 2018
Gday...
I don't know about Collies young Dougie ... but I do know that there are many LR Discovery 3 and 4s with aftermarket LED red light clusters ... not just reversing lights but the whole cluster. These are on the road and to the best of my knowledge I do not see how they could possibly be unroadworthty,
I did a bit of search for Colorado clusters on EvilBay and there are many there for varying prices.
These replacement globes might be what ya looking for?
Hi Douge, on the net there is heaps regarding design rules for lighting, including light intensities.
If you think about it, LED replacement bulbs are very bright, where as the incandescent type have a softer light. Imagine you being parallel parked on a busy road at night, and to come away from the park, you put the car in reverse. Any cars coming up to you would get suddenly two bright white lights seemingly coming towards them on the wrong side of the road. Could be very up-setting, so I think you had the correct advise.
I know that the idea of fitting daytime running lights is a similar issue, and you have to be careful of what you do.
I also went through a similar exercise to change over my brake/stop rear lights on the tug to LED. On the packet is stated for off road use only, but the salesman assured me that it would be OK. I tried one globe and tested it at night, and found that it was not only very bright, but the brake light didn't show as well as with the incandesant, so I took them back, deciding that the chance of someone running into the back of me was not worth the risk.
Yuglamron said
11:24 AM Mar 5, 2018
I do know you cannot legally use LED globes in light fittings that were originally for incandescent globes. At Least in Qld.
Why I have no idea, LED's run much cooler than incandescent globes. So it cannot be a fire risk reason. Wiring.......no they draw much less power.
Personally I think it's just MONEY Buying the whole replacement LED Versions not just globes would add to the coffers of the manufacturers.
Cadpete said
12:16 PM Mar 5, 2018
Yuglamron wrote:
I do know you cannot legally use LED globes in light fittings that were originally for incandescent globes. At Least in Qld.
Why I have no idea, LED's run much cooler than incandescent globes. So it cannot be a fire risk reason. Wiring.......no they draw much less power.
Personally I think it's just MONEY Buying the whole replacement LED Versions not just globes would add to the coffers of the manufacturers.
LEDs are more directional than traditional globes, for the given brightness, and thus fittings for standard globes will not disperse the light to the required standards - just my 2c worth
erad said
12:57 PM Mar 5, 2018
LED bulbs are very directional. If you get too far away from the main axis, they disappear or are very weak. In reversing lights, part of their design would be to alert others that you are in reverse and coming out (in front of you typically). I would consider this before I invested in LED's.
iana said
01:24 PM Mar 5, 2018
I have an interesting situation on this point, and so should all Jayco owners with the round indicator lamps on their vans, when flashing, if you are directly behind the van you can see them, move off to one side, for instance a car traveling in the next right or left lane, and the lights are barely visible.
I discovered this when I found a car trapped between my van when moving over lanes, yes I did check, yes I had the indictor on for a considerable period, but Sh-t happens. So now I am going to wire in two side indicators on each side of the van, so I am sure that all motorists behind me can see my intensions.
So those lights are very directional.
By the way Dougwe, if you need extra light when reversing, I wondered about fitting an extra LED light over the tow bar for instance, wired from the vehicles reversing lights, but with a momentary on switch that has to be pressed before this light comes on, that way it is only on when your situation requires it.
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
02:48 PM Mar 5, 2018
Dull reverse lights are common problem on the farm. Most of the machinery vehicles need more light at the back to see whats going on. Ive always used a old spot light mounted on the roof rack or bumper. Because small led lights are cheap l use these now instead. Wire them up on their own switch.
Dougwe said
05:56 PM Mar 5, 2018
Thanks everyone. I have taken all comments on board and gone away from that idea.
I am fitting a 6" Bar flood light to rear via a switch on the dash up front so can be switched on as needed and when safe to do so.
iana said
09:34 PM Mar 5, 2018
My suggestion of a momentary switch was that you could not forget and leave it on. Connecting it via the reversing lights was a double safety device.
PS how come the quiet period? yes I know none of my business.
Ian.
Dougwe said
09:25 AM Mar 6, 2018
Hi Ian, the quiet period was probably due to 'doing' lunch with some great people and it took all day
but seeing ya reckon it's none of your business I wont tell ya that
Keep safe my friend.
outlaw40 said
09:36 AM Mar 6, 2018
Dougwe just check the regulations as i believe you will need to set them up so they only come on with the original reversing lights,ie the same way you have to wire driving lights to the high beam. can still have a switch just pick up the trigger wire from the reversing lights .
denmonkey said
11:34 AM Mar 7, 2018
I added a couple of those 6 inch led lights to the back of the bumper down low. For now, theyre wired through the original reversing lights via a relay. When I get the chance and more time, they will also be wired through a switch just in case someone complains about them. As said, I have set them low and can adjust their angle to point down, so as not to dazzle oncoming rear traffic. When hooking up the van at night though or off road, they get lifted up and it makes hell of a difference. I'll throw up a pic when I get home.
with regards the supercheap advise, are we sure she's not referring to the headlight conversion to LED.
It wouldn't surprise me if they applied the same rules to the rear as they do the front, but I'd not heard of that before outside of the headlight law.
-- Edited by denmonkey on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 11:35:50 AM
Phil C said
10:33 AM Mar 12, 2018
Gday Doug, hope you are well
Other than saying the well worn Ford is better than Hold on I will give you a heads up.
I fitted LED headlights and a set of spot lights to my beast a few months ago. One thing I noticed was the radio just hashes (noise) when the lights are on. Seems the LEDs or their control circuits put out a frequency that kills radio signals. Anyway with all the adds and now football (all codes) flooding the radio, who wants to listen? I now play Mozart instead.
Hope all you guys are well and being safe
Phil C
PeterD said
09:10 AM Mar 13, 2018
Yuglamron wrote:
I do know you cannot legally use LED globes in light fittings that were originally for incandescent globes. At Least in Qld.
Why I have no idea, LED's run much cooler than incandescent globes. So it cannot be a fire risk reason. Wiring.......no they draw much less power.
And I am also answering IanA's message above.
The light fixtures on vehicles have closely designed lenses and some have critically designed reflectors. These are designed to give the specified minimum brightness on the required light spread. The design relies upon the light source to be the required size and brightness. If you change the light source size you are likely to the spread of light too bright in some directions and not bright enough in others.
This Australian Design Rule (ADR) prescribes the dimensional and photometric requirements for filament lamps which ensure interchangeability and correct functioning when installed in a lamp unit.
silanah said
06:32 PM Mar 17, 2018
You also can't just add additional lights on a caravan unless they fall within the design specs. I came across these the other day.
Morn'n all,
The old chief is not quite with it me thinks. I have a 2014 Colorado twin cab ute with no LED lights but want to try and brighten things up at the rear by changing the reverse lights to LED but the super manager at the local cheap auto shop told me the Collie would be un-roadworhty if I did that. If LED's were not fitted at new they can't be changed. She went on further saying it can be done but only if 4x4 driving on off road or in the bush. Once back on the black stuff the LED's have to be changed back.
Now I know I am silly (beat ya down the back) BUT am I really
What do you knowledgable people out there say
About the lights that is 
Would not have clue but like you waiting for the answer so i can tell the chief
who can tell the whole tribe (me).
Regards Ge (Running scared)
Gday...
I don't know about Collies young Dougie ... but I do know that there are many LR Discovery 3 and 4s with aftermarket LED red light clusters ... not just reversing lights but the whole cluster. These are on the road and to the best of my knowledge I do not see how they could possibly be unroadworthty,
I did a bit of search for Colorado clusters on EvilBay and there are many there for varying prices.
These replacement globes might be what ya looking for?
See them here
Cheers - John
If you think about it, LED replacement bulbs are very bright, where as the incandescent type have a softer light. Imagine you being parallel parked on a busy road at night, and to come away from the park, you put the car in reverse. Any cars coming up to you would get suddenly two bright white lights seemingly coming towards them on the wrong side of the road. Could be very up-setting, so I think you had the correct advise.
I know that the idea of fitting daytime running lights is a similar issue, and you have to be careful of what you do.
I also went through a similar exercise to change over my brake/stop rear lights on the tug to LED. On the packet is stated for off road use only, but the salesman assured me that it would be OK. I tried one globe and tested it at night, and found that it was not only very bright, but the brake light didn't show as well as with the incandesant, so I took them back, deciding that the chance of someone running into the back of me was not worth the risk.
I do know you cannot legally use LED globes in light fittings that were originally for incandescent globes. At Least in Qld.
Why I have no idea, LED's run much cooler than incandescent globes. So it cannot be a fire risk reason. Wiring.......no they draw much less power.
Personally I think it's just MONEY Buying the whole replacement LED Versions not just globes would add to the coffers of the manufacturers.
LEDs are more directional than traditional globes, for the given brightness, and thus fittings for standard globes will not disperse the light to the required standards - just my 2c worth
I discovered this when I found a car trapped between my van when moving over lanes, yes I did check, yes I had the indictor on for a considerable period, but Sh-t happens. So now I am going to wire in two side indicators on each side of the van, so I am sure that all motorists behind me can see my intensions.
So those lights are very directional.
By the way Dougwe, if you need extra light when reversing, I wondered about fitting an extra LED light over the tow bar for instance, wired from the vehicles reversing lights, but with a momentary on switch that has to be pressed before this light comes on, that way it is only on when your situation requires it.
I am fitting a 6" Bar flood light to rear via a switch on the dash up front so can be switched on as needed and when safe to do so.
PS how come the quiet period? yes I know none of my business.
Ian.
Hi Ian, the quiet period was probably due to 'doing' lunch with some great people and it took all day
but seeing ya reckon it's none of your business I wont tell ya that
Keep safe my friend.
I added a couple of those 6 inch led lights to the back of the bumper down low.
For now, theyre wired through the original reversing lights via a relay.
When I get the chance and more time, they will also be wired through a switch just in case someone complains about them.
As said, I have set them low and can adjust their angle to point down, so as not to dazzle oncoming rear traffic.
When hooking up the van at night though or off road, they get lifted up and it makes hell of a difference.
I'll throw up a pic when I get home.
with regards the supercheap advise, are we sure she's not referring to the headlight conversion to LED.
It wouldn't surprise me if they applied the same rules to the rear as they do the front, but I'd not heard of that before outside of the headlight law.
-- Edited by denmonkey on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 11:35:50 AM
Other than saying the well worn Ford is better than Hold on I will give you a heads up.
I fitted LED headlights and a set of spot lights to my beast a few months ago. One thing I noticed was the radio just hashes (noise) when the lights are on. Seems the LEDs or their control circuits put out a frequency that kills radio signals. Anyway with all the adds and now football (all codes) flooding the radio, who wants to listen? I now play Mozart instead.
Hope all you guys are well and being safe
Phil C
And I am also answering IanA's message above.
The light fixtures on vehicles have closely designed lenses and some have critically designed reflectors. These are designed to give the specified minimum brightness on the required light spread. The design relies upon the light source to be the required size and brightness. If you change the light source size you are likely to the spread of light too bright in some directions and not bright enough in others.
All the common globes have tight specifications. You will find the specifications listed in Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 51/00 Filament Lamps) 2006 You will note that the scope of the ADR states
You also can't just add additional lights on a caravan unless they fall within the design specs. I came across these the other day.
infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx
In addition to describing the type of lighting, if you scroll down it mandates where and how many of different type lights you must/can have.
I read it as having an older van I'm never sure if it is still compliant in all required areas...
-- Edited by silanah on Saturday 17th of March 2018 06:33:33 PM