technofile by Lindsay Porter in association with IRB Developments and MobileCentre
Led into the light
Lindsay shows you how you can be bright and highly visible to other road users in your Defender using ever-lasting (almost), low power, LED sidelights and daytime running lights LED lighting technology has transformed the scene and it won’t be long, I reckon, before all new vehicle lights are LED-only. They are capable of lasting the life of the vehicle without needing bulbs changing (though I wouldn’t bank on the cheap’n’nasty Chinese versions – I’ve had bad experiences there). High quality units are sealed against water ingress so you won’t suffer from corrosion inside the unit whether from going off-road or ordinary driving. Their light output is clearer, brighter and more ‘directional’ and focused than that from old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. So, in this article, we look at two possibilities: • Changing a Defender’s sidelights, indicators and stoplights to MobileCentre’s LED units. • Converting the Defender’s sidelights to the fabulous MobileCentre sidelight
complete with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) built-in. So, why are some cars looking bright and highly visible during daylight hours while others are not? Well, all new cars sold within the EU from 2011-on must have Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) fitted to them. (Trucks too, from 2012-on). They can also be retrofitted to existing vehicles. In the UK, drivers will be advised but not compelled to use them when fitted, though in some countries, they will be compulsory. Of course, DLRs should be mounted so that they don’t shine directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers, so be sure to angle them accordingly if you’re fitting them to your vehicle. Picture 1 Ian Baughan, the man behind IRB Developments and one of the finest Land Rover mechanic-engineers I’ve had
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the pleasure of meeting, demonstrates the full LED lighting kit. Ian has helped in developing the plug-in system that comes with the kit that he supplies and fits or sells for DIY fitting. This kit enables you to plug straight in to the existing Land Rover wiring without modification.
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let the fitting commence
Picture 2 This is a superb example of just how good these LED lights, made by a high-tech company called Speaker in the USA, are when compared with the originals. Even if you didn’t recognise the different shape, you’d have no problem spotting which is which. Picture 3 Tim Consolante of Mobile Centre, the sole importer of Speaker LED lights into the UK, makes the important point that there are cheaper units around but, for one thing, they probably won’t be legal (look for the E-mark) and for another, they almost certainly won’t last very long. I’ve bought cheap, Chinese LED lights in the past and they’ve done everything from explode, to conk out after a few days, and to grow dim after a few weeks. They might have been cheaper but they turned out to be an expensive mistake.
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Picture 6 Coming back to DLRs (as opposed to sidelights – or ‘position’ lights as they are correctly known). They must be fitted within specific dimensions which are, in practice, surprisingly generous, especially with regards to height. Picture 4 Tim demonstrates the slightly less expensive kit that MobileCentre can also supply, with generic wires to which you have to fit Land Rover-compatible connectors yourself. The more expensive units are plug’n’go. Picture 5 All the kits come with fixing screws and gaskets. These seal any road dirt behind the wing but also mean that the light unit can be tightened down, even against a surface that isn’t perfectly flat, without causing damage.
Picture 7 At IRB Developments, Ian removed the headlight surrounds and popped out the plastic ‘nuts’ into which the old lights were screwed. Picture 8 He also removed the fixings from the wheel arch liners (it can be a struggle) to leave the front end of each liner dangling free and providing access to the rears of the front lights. Picture 9 This is the adaptor cable supplied with the full-fitting kit.
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Picture 10 One end of the adaptor simply fits onto the plug on the end of the cable; the one that previously went into the back of the light unit. DRL FACT FILE Daytime Running Lamps have to be wired in a specific way to make them legal • T hey must come on with the ‘ignition’ switch or when the engine is running and go off again when it’s turned off. • T hey must go off when the vehicle side (position) lights are turned on, which means they can’t be on with the headlights, of course. Picture 11 The kit comes with an electronic control box that automatically
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and correctly operates DRLs, when fitted. Ian is here running a cable from the control unit, to the socket on one of the new adaptor cables. This cable allows the control unit to disable the DRLs when sidelights are turned on. This cable isn’t supplied already fitted so that any access holes that need to be drilled only need to be big enough for... Picture 12 ...the small terminal already fitted to the end of the cable. Note the spare slot in the socket. Picture 13 The terminal is pushed into the back of the socket... Picture 14 ...until it locates parallel
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with the two terminals already in there. If you’re fitting straight LED sidelights without DRLs, neither this cable nor the control unit are required, of course. Picture 15 If you choose to purchase the basic kit, without wiring adaptors, you’ll be fitting your own connectors. You should wrap insulation tape around the wires to the same extent as those on the lights you took off. Picture 16 Tim uses wire strippers to strip off the wire-ends... Picture 17 ...then crimps on suitable connectors. Shielded connectors, Tim points out MUST go on the power side of
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the connection: the unshielded connector thus goes on the light-side. Picture 18 TIM’S TOP TIP – Give each connector a tug after fitting it. If it’s loose, you want to find out now! Picture 19 For reference, here’s how the gasket, fixing screws and washers fit to the backs of the light units. Picture 20 Ian continued with fitting his complete kit, remembering to slide the gasket on before plugging the light unit into the adaptor. Picture 21 On went the sidelight with a helper holding the screw inside the
Inside Information Tim Consolante is an absolute wizard when it comes to ensuring the lights he supplies are fully legal for use. For instance, Mobile Centre’s units are built with these in mind: •Front indicators have to be brighter than rears. Legal fronts are marked with a ‘2a’ compared with the ‘2’ marking on rears. • The legal flash rate is between 70 and 120 flashes per minute. You need a new relay, matched to the resistance of the LED lights to provide this.
wing. Note that this is the version of the MobileCentre sidelight complete with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) built-in. When turned off, it looks almost identical to the unit that is sidelight-only, available for those who don’t want DRLs. Picture 22 On the other side of the vehicle, Tim offered up the light while Ian had the job of screw twirling from inside the wing. Picture 23 Once fitted, this is how the back of the lamp appears from inside the wing. I think a dose of rust prevention spray would be a good thing for the screw heads.
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27 the defender rear lights PicTURE 24 You have to remove the protective plates over the rear lights of all Defenders, starting with the sole external screw on each side... PicTURE 25 ...and continuing to those each side of the rear door. You can ignore this ‘grey box’ – it’s for my reversing sensors. Yes that’s right; they go, ‘beep’, then ‘beep beep beep’. Then ‘ouch! ’ PicTURE 26 As you can see (inset) power consumption is amazingly low with LED lamps, despite their being brighter. The rear lights are just straight plug-ins... PicTURE 27 ...but have to be screwed in from inside the vehicle. It’s a three man job on the door hinge side. Ada, who just happened to be passing, on the outside to hold the LED light unit. Tim on the inside
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to insert the screws. Plus Ian to stand around and drink coffee... PicTURE 28 The rear indicators are trickier to fit than the fronts on Station Wagons but only because the seat belt support bars have to be negotiated. Skinny arms help. PicTURE 29 LED indicators consume so little power that standard flasher units won’t work. Ian removed the screws... PicTURE 30 ...and lifted away the dash panel, exposing the indicator unit beneath (later models). PicTURE 31 The MobileCentre replacement is a direct fit in the socket where the old one went. PicTURE 32 On earlier models, you have to disconnect the battery, remove the fuse box cover and unscrew the
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carrier plate beneath. PicTURE 33 The flasher unit is found behind it. PicTURE 34 Finally, if you’re fitting MobileCentre DLRs, you’ll need a means of telling the control unit that the engine is running. You could run a wire to the battery but with the battery under the passenger seat, the MobileCentre approach is to take a connection to the 12V positive feed terminal (the biggest one on the back of the Tdi’s alternator) that goes back to the battery. In other words, not the one to the charge light and not the ‘W’ terminal on the back of the alternator. Check your manual to make sure you select the correct terminal. NonTdis will be different. Here, the shield was removed... PicTURE 35 ...followed by the cable.
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PicTURE 36 The ring terminal on the cable for the control unit was fitted to the alternator when the cable removed earlier was refitted. PicTURE 37 This is the MobileCentre control unit. It’s a hefty, sealed aluminium unit that’s ideal for vehicles that might find themselves in the wet. It also looks right at home in the Defender’s engine bay. PicTURE 38 The LED rear side lights are so obviously brighter and clearer than the old incandescent bulb units that you have to pinch yourself to remember that they’re also fitted pretty well for life and should never need attention ever again. a job well done Tim reminded me that he initially supplied a standard three pin relay which, on my hybrid vehicle, does not make the trailer warning light on the dash operate when connected to trailer wiring. This does not
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affect all vehicles: only certain models with factory tow packs and is something that MobileCentre and IRB deal with as it arises. As Tim says, “We can fix it on your vehicle! ” And I know he will, too. I’m really pleased with my new LED sidelights – sorry, ‘position lights’. The Daytime Running Lamps are a great extra too, in my view, as Ian at IRB Developments agrees. The new lights are not only brighter and vastly longer lasting, they also consume much less power. What’s more, they are also almost completely water-resistant, much stronger (though they would break if you get them a right whack, of course) and they look pretty cool even when turned off. What’s not to like? LRM
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CONTACT IRB Developments Based near Tamworth. Ian is a factorytrained Land Rover engineer. You couldn’t have your Land Rover in better hands. Tel: Ian Baughan, 0773 092 0431 www.irbdevelopments.com Ian can be hard to get hold of because of other commitments but he’s well worth the effort. MobileCentre Limited These guys produce the best-quality LED lights and electrics and Tim is extremely well informed and helpful. Tim Consolante, PO Box 222, Evesham, WR11 4WT Tel: 01386 834851 Mob: 07836 333 333 www.mobilecentre.co.uk
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