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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - LED indicators

I want to "upgrade" my front indicators on my Sprite to LEDs. Currently they are twin filament bulbs providing front sidelights and indicators but under white (clear) lens covers at the front the indicators are not as eye-catching as I would like. The solution is twin LEDs which show white for the sidelights, but flash amber for indicators. As the amber is not relieant on amber lens covers these would suit what I am trying to achieve.

I am buying from www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com
There is a lot of useful information on his web pages although I find it set out in a very confused way. What I am unsure of is if the LED indicators at the front will work if I retain my filament bulbs at the rear, as I am happy that there is no other reason to change what currently perfectly works well at the back.
GuyW

Guy

I seem to recall you need to change the flasher unit for LEDs, so it would seem the answer as regards mixing filament and LEDs is no - if using the single flasher unit for all 4 indicators of course.
Oggers

Guy,
Gary put up a thread about his conversion (might be in General?).

Generally you're best to change the whole set of bulbs to the circuit so that'd include rear indictors and any tell-tale(s), rear sidelights and number plate (I'd include dash bulbs if part of the sidelights circuit).

As stated, I think, you'd want the flasher unit too.

If all your wiring and connectors and all in good condition then you might be fine with a mix, people test LED against incandescent with having one of each on the different sides of the car.

The bloke at drc, forget his name, like many who work for themselves I've found can be a bit miserable in person but is otherwise good to deal with.

Gary got his LEDs from Classic LEDs and I've found them to be good too.

Don't be tempted by the cheap LEDs often on offer as most are just that, cheap, and for god reason.
Nigel Atkins

Hi Guys,
I fitted LED front indicator/parkers on my TC. I got them from Anthony Pearson, who specializes in these things. They are great! Between flashes of the amber indicator, the white sidelight turns off, so it is very effective. (All somehow electronically organized within the "globe" itself.)
I retained my ordinary 21 watt globes in the rear indicators and didn't even think about my standard incandescent tail lights. Anthony just supplied a flasher unit which is not reliant on wattage for flasher speed.
I think Anthony supplies world wide. I will see him tomorrow, so I will ask if OK to give you his email address.

Cheers,
Bob Schapel
South Australia
R L Schapel

I don't see that mixing bulb types is a problem. However the conventional bi-metal flasher unit will not work properly as it relies on the current drawn by two 21W bulbs to work I.e. about 3.5A. I see that AES supply an appropriate flasher unit (or ebay) but most will be -ve earth only probably. ISTR your Frogeye is +ve earth Guy so you need a flasher unit that can be configured for this.
Bill Bretherton

Thanks, its Ok. I got a quick and helpful reply from Peter at the dynamo conversions site and he confirms that combing filament ones at the back with the colour chang LEDs at the front is fine, so that is what I will do. And yes, LEDs need a matched flasher unit but that will fire the filament bulbs as well so no problem there.

There may be other reasons to swap to LEDs, but for now the only thing I am interested in is having a means of flashing orange at the front, whilst retaining the clear glass covers and white sidelights. And as it's a MK1 car, the indicator and side lights are in the same bulb so using those little orange glass covers doesn't work!
GuyW

Glad you're sorted.

I thought the name was Peter but didn't want to trust my memory, miserable was the wrong word, I should have put grumpy, I know grumpy and miserable I shouldn't have mixed them up. 😠
Nigel Atkins

Years ago before these clever LED units were available (or at least I hadn't heard of them) I laboriously fashioned my own. I changed the light sockets for the amber bulb type (using the rather pricey bulbs that look silver but flash amber). I then made a ring from those LEDs that come in silicone rubber strips, mounted this around the bulb and wired everything appropriately. Yes it did go through the MOT in the days when I needed one. I still have them on the car. I have had to replace one LED ring, but otherwise it still works fine and no need the change the flasher relay.

Les
L B Rose

Can you obtain bayonet fitment LEDs? i.e. a simple replacement for the original filament lamps?
Oggers

Yes, both parallel pin and offset pin 15mm versions
GuyW

Another supplier is Classic Car LEDs
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/
Dealt with them twice and found them to be very knowledgeable, helpful and reasonably priced.
Some of the bulbs are mini works of art being made from aluminium.
The owner has an MGB which L believe he uses as a test bed for the bulbs.
Jeremy MkIII

Great it is sorted.

I said I would provide Anthony Pearson's email address, so here it is. acpearson@chariot.net.au He is an expert in the field. He deals in modern conversions and original Lucas (etc) bits too.

He supplied me a flasher unit which was not reliant on wattage for flasher speed.

Cheers,
Bob Schapel

R L Schapel

This thread was discussed between 10/05/2021 and 12/05/2021

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