LED lights for PL 700

[jimbohoh]

Has anyone been successful installing LED bulbs into original Lucas PL 700 tri bar headlights?

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Why? Me thinks you loose the vintage look of the lamp with LED bulbs.

 

[jimbohoh]

I would like a brighter light for night driving without going to H4 halogen bulbs. I would especially like to decrease the current draw to prolong the life of the headlight switch. I am willing to sacrifice some of the looks for the above reasons. Easy to change back to original,
Thanks for your reply,
Jim

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Hi Jim,
not sure of what the effect would be on the reflector? May not work for you?
good luck with it.

 

[JHaydon]

A PO installed LED bulbs in the "R100" Lucas headlamps on my Bentley. I got a set of incandescent bulbs as part of the sale, along with a warning to "change back when you go to a show!" Nobody has dinged me for them so far.

The bulb on the R100 model is hidden behind a shield, so they look perfectly stock to everyone but a knowledgeable concours judge. Unless you are looking for it (and you know what to look for), you can't tell.

They throw a very white light down the road. I would bet (based on experience with pre-war American cars) that they are brighter than stock. And the manufacturer designed the bulbs to emit light in a similar pattern to an incandescent, so the pattern off the reflector is similar.

Does the PL-700 have a similar shield over the bulb? If so, you're good to go!

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Nice to know. I am not keen on the look of LEDs. I have a car here that I have fully converted….time will tell.

Is that a mark 6 Bentley that you have??

 

[jimbohoh]

If it's good enough for a Bentley then it's good enough for my TR3! I plan on driving the car a lot and any shows I might enter will not be to win any trophy. I have made several other upgrades to the car, none of which are irreversable.
Do you know what brand or model # LED bulbs you have and if the bulbs required any modification to fit. The PL 700 does have a curved shield that partially covers the bulb. Will send some pictures if anyone is interested.
Thank you very much
Jim

 

[Grantura_MKI]

what model Bentley is that you have?

full conversation done with housings that resemble sealed beam units.

 

[John Turney]

According to Moss, these P45T bulbs fit original PL headlamps. One can Google for P45T bulbs. Amazon has some.

 

[JHaydon]

Is that a mark 6 Bentley that you have??

Almost! It's an R-Type.

Jim, the spare incandescent bulbs (marked "Blick 12V 45/40W G13") now reside in a small box labeled:
6-24v NEG EARTH P36d (BPF)
40/36W "DOUBLE DIPPER" BULB
FA1A
Classic Dynamo and Regulator Conversions
www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com

edit: The FA1A is for the R.100 type lamp; as John T mentioned above you may need the P45T version. CDRC should have that version as well.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Ah, ok. Nice motor.

most LED lamps come from Lew Palmer. He sells to Moss, etc. but will sell directly to you if you prefer.

 

[jimbohoh]

You guys are really helpful! I will report back on this project.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Excellent.