Re: New comer - Progress (edit)
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 17:18
Found this regarding the legality of LED headlights which seems to say they should only be fitted (a) with headlamp washers and (b) with remote headlamp adjustment:
The law on aftermarket HID and LED lighting in the UK, in detail, with links and references
ECE Regulations 48 and 98 are the ones which apply to HID headlights, and 48 is the one which deals specifically with how HID headlights must be fitted to be legal.
Headlight washers and automatic levelling
Part 6.2.9. "Other requirements" says: "Dipped-beam headlamps with a light source or LED module(s) producing the principal dipped beam and having a total objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen shall only be installed in conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s) according to Regulation No. 45.”
Part 6.2.6.2.2 says "... devices which are adjusted manually, either continuously or non-continuously, shall be permitted, provided they have a stop position at which the lamps can be returned to the initial inclination defined in paragraph 6.2.6.1.1. by means of the usual adjusting screws or similar means. These manually adjustable devices shall be operable from the driver's seat."
However, part 6.2.9. says “With respect to vertical inclination the provisions of paragraph 6.2.6.2.2. above shall not be applied for dipped-beam headlamps:
(a) With LED module(s) producing the principal dipped beam; or
(b) With a light source producing the principal dipped beam and having an objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen."
So, these laws say you must have washers and automatic levelling only if the light source is more than 2,000 lumens total output, or the light is produced by LEDs (of any brightness), according to (b), above.
But, it's worth pointing out that it’s not possible to measure the total light output accurately at the roadside, or in the MOT station - a light meter can only measure intensity of light at one point, and this rule applies to total light output.
Therefore, as long as you have a manually-operated light levelling system - e.g. a little adjuster wheel on the dashboard - this also seems to be acceptable according to the wording above, unless of course somebody goes to the trouble of having your lights' output measured to test whether they put out more than 2,000 lumens.
The full link is at https://greyhead.co.uk/other-things/are ... ncps5vewv0
The law on aftermarket HID and LED lighting in the UK, in detail, with links and references
ECE Regulations 48 and 98 are the ones which apply to HID headlights, and 48 is the one which deals specifically with how HID headlights must be fitted to be legal.
Headlight washers and automatic levelling
Part 6.2.9. "Other requirements" says: "Dipped-beam headlamps with a light source or LED module(s) producing the principal dipped beam and having a total objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen shall only be installed in conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s) according to Regulation No. 45.”
Part 6.2.6.2.2 says "... devices which are adjusted manually, either continuously or non-continuously, shall be permitted, provided they have a stop position at which the lamps can be returned to the initial inclination defined in paragraph 6.2.6.1.1. by means of the usual adjusting screws or similar means. These manually adjustable devices shall be operable from the driver's seat."
However, part 6.2.9. says “With respect to vertical inclination the provisions of paragraph 6.2.6.2.2. above shall not be applied for dipped-beam headlamps:
(a) With LED module(s) producing the principal dipped beam; or
(b) With a light source producing the principal dipped beam and having an objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen."
So, these laws say you must have washers and automatic levelling only if the light source is more than 2,000 lumens total output, or the light is produced by LEDs (of any brightness), according to (b), above.
But, it's worth pointing out that it’s not possible to measure the total light output accurately at the roadside, or in the MOT station - a light meter can only measure intensity of light at one point, and this rule applies to total light output.
Therefore, as long as you have a manually-operated light levelling system - e.g. a little adjuster wheel on the dashboard - this also seems to be acceptable according to the wording above, unless of course somebody goes to the trouble of having your lights' output measured to test whether they put out more than 2,000 lumens.
The full link is at https://greyhead.co.uk/other-things/are ... ncps5vewv0