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MG MG Y Type - LED bulbs

My first attempt to fit LED rear lights is a failure, they are a direct replacement for the twin stop/tail bayonet bulb. In fact I tried them in my Anglebox first. The problem I think is that they draw so little current that any oxidation or dirt in the holder and vibration will cause them to flash on/off. I always keep the holders lubricated which tends to protect surfaces from corrosion, this is fine for filament bulbs, but not LED's. So no Luck there. Bryan
B Mellem

Brian & fellow Y Owners,

There have been several threads on the topics of LED's on the BBS in the past which crop up from time to time.

I saw Robert Taylor's YB had rear LED fitted, which re-enforced my view that it is one of my next jobs to get round on both the YB and YT just for safety. My only thoughts are what is the least intrusive way of fitting the lights?

1. Can you buy LED bulb, or can you only purchase as circuit board with lots of LEDS to make up overall light.
2. Is there a way to fit to the exisiting casings that avoid any drilling, so it could be reverted back if required for some reason (Not sure why you would, but nice to know a modification can always be undone as required) mecanic way of saying restore to factory settings LOL.

In respect to front bulbs, I note from one previous (from 2010) thread mention of Halogens being brighter than incandescent, but adaptor required and relays required to cope with the fact there is less draw on battery? Electrics is not something I know a thing about, so would leave fitment to a pro, but any thoughts on which vendor and option is best? Clearly technology moves quickly and be nice to know what are latest options.
R E Knight

My impression is that LED's will need to be hard wired in or by a suitable connector, so the bulb holder will need to be removed. Bryan
B Mellem

Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions sold me a complete set all round. My trafficators now flash. If you look on their website, scroll down and you will see a Y Type dashboard, all lit up. Being electrics, I too left it to a specialist, but re-reading the website instructions, it doesn't seem too difficult a job to tackle. Here's their web page.
http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/online-shop-for-led-bulbs-and-light-boards-etc.php
R Taylor

Try the ones made here in the US by Lew Palmer - he has just reduced his prices dramatically and I will be updating the news page presently! They are extremely good!

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/stores/palmer.shtml

Paul
Paul Barrow

I found initially that on fitting the LED lamps didn't work, and only after cleaning with fine emery and 3 in 1 lit up. I have no confidence in them and in my opinion the ones I had were little brighter than filament bulbs, but then the Anglia rear lights have reflectors - if kept clean.
B Mellem

Interesting update Bryan, out of interest which vendor did you go with?
R E Knight

Halfords - don't laugh
B Mellem

The lighted y dash mentioned is my yb dash and it took me all of 2 minutes to change the mes bulbs for mes leds the same with the trafficator led bulbs also the headlight bulbs. with the trafficators you do have to be sure the bulb is totally upright as it can fall out of the slot and lay at an agle. i have done ron darvells y since with no problem.If you use the proper electrical conductive grease on the bulb holders the bulbs connecters etc etc not 3in1 or vaseline etc,use Contralube 770 and you should find your problems sorted. i have added a photo of the discription of contralube.
John UMG624

JC Jebb

second page on contralube may be helpfull.
John UMG624

JC Jebb

Hi Brian, If Iread correctly, you have replaced the original fialment bulb(s) with same type LED, this won't work in a "D" light. The filament bulb has a near spherical light pattern, i.e. equal light both radially and axially, the LED has most of it's light output axially from the front opposite the holder, so in your Anglia this would be O.K. In the Y Type, a filament replacement LED would shine directly into the casing, for the "D" you'll need a light board so that the LED shine directly through the lens. IIRC you commented on my LED setup when we were in France last year. Neil Cairns wrote an article in the Octagon Bulletin on fitting said light boards.
Mine came from dynamo and regulator conversions.
Regards
Dave
D P Jones

Agreed Dave. You do need a very specifically designed LED to work in the D Lamp and this is especially why we recommend Lew's solution (see my Post of 16 March 2016 at 00:12:42 UK time above). This product has been developed over a number of years now and is now, not only exceptional value (even though you will be paying in US$ and importing) but also exceptional quality.

Regards

Paul
Paul Barrow

Quite right Dave, but I fitted as well, two rear wing mounted combine rear/stop/flashing indicator lamps. I consider that the rear of my car already lights up like a Christmas tree, even the D lights have foil reflectors. My interest is in reducing the overall current load not increasing the visual impact from behind, in saying that the dynamo can certainly cope with several hours after dark motoring. As I say the LED's must be 100% reliable and these I have purchased are not. I tend towards the school of thought that if it works leave well alone. Bryan
B Mellem

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2016 and 18/03/2016

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