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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
Topics49,901
Posts838,041
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Most Online1,063
Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,697 Likes: 416
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,697 Likes: 416 |
Please let me share another perspective Richard  Heat is the number one enemy or killer for LED's. LED life is directly related to temp. After market canbus friendly LED's bulbs are designed to mimic filament bulbs so may have a load resistor poked up the back. Typically the resistor will need to dissipate around 20w. That's an awful lot of heat in a tiny package. For the life claims manufacture's thermally mitigate the heat load using cooling fins on the bulb package, limiting the LED brightness or wattage and calculating life based on a typical shortish indicator duty cycle. However, should you ever need to leave your hazards on for and extended period, all bets are off for the poor old LED's.... Useful point Rog. In fact they don't seem to draw current equivalent to the full 21 watts of the filament bulbs they replace, according to Duncan at ClassicCarLEDs. Furthermore I'm using CANBUS friendly switchback LED's in the front with the white elements on continually, except when indicating. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/cVXacD5.jpg) Not sure how this is managed thermally but no signs of massive heat sinks showing on the switchbacks I'm using above. These have been in for close on 20,000 miles now with no issues. Having said all this I do recall mention of avoiding leaving hazards on for extended periods with some of the LED variants. Regarding need for rear visibility during daytime, each to their own. For me having seen how difficult it can be to see cars in dull or murky conditions rear lights on are a must.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 224 Likes: 13
L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 224 Likes: 13 |
The job is done. The new headlights are installed and the DRL LEDs are working fine. Thanks for the tips and advice. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2025/04/01/headlamps.md.jpg)
Roadster 3.7
Plus 4 110 Anniversary
Plus 4 Fiat TC
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,033 Likes: 120
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,033 Likes: 120 |
Rog, you still have the cobra brake light that comes on to attract drivers behind you without the confusion of the tail lights being on.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,707 Likes: 36
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,707 Likes: 36 |
I take your point Sewin but I'm going to need more convincing... I've got rear fog lights and manual lights for the 1% of time when visdibilty is poor. So I struggle to see the rationale of keeping the rear lights on all the time and in bright sunlight too! I need all of my brake warning lights to be as noticeable as possible, particularly if being followed by an artic truck. Regarding the cobra light though I do actually like it a lot. I've often pondered on adding a stobe. Only for use on the few occasions I use the motorway. Don't know how legal they are but I'm sure it could improve one survival odds. PS - sewin if you are ever thinking about a career in sales, let me know 
Last edited by Rog; 02/04/25 06:57 PM.
Roger
2011 Plus 4
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,698 Likes: 498
Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
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Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,698 Likes: 498 |
I take your point Sewin but I'm going to need more convincing... I've got rear fog lights and manual lights for the 1% of time when visdibilty is poor. So I struggle to see the rationale of keeping the rear lights on all the time and in bright sunlight too! I need all of my brake warning lights to be as noticeable as possible, particularly if being followed by an artic truck. Regarding the cobra light though I do actually like it a lot. I've often pondered on adding a stobe. Only for use on the few occasions I use the motorway. Don't know how legal they are but I'm sure it could improve one survival odds. PS - sewin if you are ever thinking about a career in sales, let me know Don't some modern tin-tops pulse the brake lights / hazzards (all indicators) if you brake really hard ??
Jon M
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