S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

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Victor Meldrew
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S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Victor Meldrew » Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:41 am

I was convinced that my original headlight bowls were going to end up as the cause of an MOT failure. I was surprised when it passed with so much of the reflective coating rusted away.

I have taken the plunge and bought a set of replacement LED headlights for the Elise. I had a choice to buy silver or black housing or black housing with a HALO ring... HALO eh no... I went with the silver housing as it should look almost stock from a distance.

I did have a few concerns about them before I bought them but after a phone call to the supplier who explained that they are fully UK legal and stamped, basically a plug and play set up with the correct plugs and mounts already fitted good to go. I will give you an update on how accurate that statement is after Craig fits them. The supplier was also very helpful in sourcing silent channel for the windows.


Question: Has anyone found an alternative LED fitment for the completely pointless driving lights?

I am tempted to just throw in an a generic LED bulb off Ebay and see how I get on. The driving lights I have seen would need a hand fabricated bracket of some description and most say off road only.
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Stephen
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Stephen » Tue Dec 24, 2019 8:33 am

Worth fitting stainless brackets/ retainers too.
Interested to hear how you get on.
S
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Victor Meldrew
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Victor Meldrew » Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:46 am

Stephen wrote:Worth fitting stainless brackets/ retainers too.
Interested to hear how you get on.
S
I’m impressed by the build quality

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Stephen
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Stephen » Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:56 am

Look good. I see 7" have dropped to £45 / pair on eBay.
Thinking of them for the landy although I believe the reduction in heat causes snow to stick to them rendering them ineffective.
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Stu160
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Stu160 » Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:16 am

I am sure you can fit Harley Davidson headlights and driving lights
S1 S160
Caterham 310R

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chrisdb
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by chrisdb » Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:27 pm

I have fitted the PNM parts LED headlights. Best solution I’ve found so far after trying upgraded bulbs, HIDs etc. The beam pattern isn’t perfect but it’s plenty bright enough for spirited driving in the evening. I also went for the chrome which doesn’t immediately draw your eye like the darker ones do.

I’m also thinking about LEDs for the driving lights as they are laughably bad now relative to the LEDs. Taking the clam off at the moment so will see how much space is available for the heat sinks.

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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by BiggestNizzy » Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:20 pm

Do you have a link?
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Victor Meldrew
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Victor Meldrew » Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:01 pm

http://www.pnmparts.co.uk/lotus-elise-led-lamps-6111

I will add though, don't dive in yet. I will let you know if there are any issue with them after Craig fits them. Hopefully will be getting the car over to him next week if I get home from offshore ok....
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Scotty C » Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:05 pm

Stu160 wrote:
Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:16 am
I am sure you can fit Harley Davidson headlights and driving lights
i was looking at these.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-75INCH-Hea ... 2777cb7cb1
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Scotty C » Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:07 pm

Image
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Scotty C » Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:10 pm

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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Corranga » Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:34 pm

Is this all coming up because the normal lights are unobtainable, or just because they are crap...?
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Scotty C » Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:59 pm

ive had my car fully resprayed and my old light and brackets are fooked and while the clams are off etc.

think the old lights a metro or something.
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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by Stephen » Thu Jan 09, 2020 5:13 pm

I think the old lights are actually unique to the S1 as they are concave rather than convex. From memory they are very similar to a Renault 4 but the Renault doesn't have the sidelights built into the unit.
Most lights you can obtain that size have a convex lens. Not sure what if any difference this makes.
Happy to be corrected

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Re: S1 lights LED Headlights and driving lights?

Post by chrisdb » Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:47 pm

Corranga wrote:
Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:34 pm
Is this all coming up because the normal lights are unobtainable, or just because they are crap...?
Bit of both I think.

I tried new OEM lenses with better bulbs etc but they aren't very good even when brand new.

HIDs I found very harsh but did give a lot of light. Not legal for MOT now but never had any issues.

The LEDs are the best I've used so far.

This is how they look v OEM
Image

Sidelight comparison
Image

They don't look any brighter on full beam in a photo but they are much better driving.
Image

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