LED lamps replacement for H4

[MCKDAVID]

looking for suggestions for LED replacements for old tractor headlamps, H4 are in there just now, want to reduce the current draw as much as possible, The wiring is getting old and fried... already replaced a good lump of it, all burnt out, including the fuse holder in the fuse box. To avoid the issue repeating itself, I'd like to get low wattage LEDs in there to replace the existing H4's, as reducing the load would obviously help reduce the current the wires are carrying.

Any ideas, preferably based on personal experience, as there's loads out there. Don't need to be that powerful, just for a tractor, need to change one of the lamps anyway, so might as well go for LEDs

 

[steveo3002]

do you need enough power to see at night still?

is there room at the back ? most have a heat sink or fan on them

i was happy with these F3C ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002059291913.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.277212cbRe7a5N&algo_pvid=310b5e10-cd87-48fe-942a-4378eb1834c2&algo_exp_id=310b5e10-cd87-48fe-942a-4378eb1834c2-7&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000018592933535"}

 

[badabec]

How about fitting relays instead? They have a male connector (like the bulb) which then operates the relays, wires from the battery go to relays and on to two female headlamp plugs.
Like this kit

Car H4 Headlight Lamp Bulb Relay Wiring Harness Kit Socket Plug Wire 1Set | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Car H4 Headlight Lamp Bulb Relay Wiring Harness Kit Socket Plug Wire 1Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

or if you don't want to wait

H4 Headlight Headlamp Light Bulb Relay Wiring Harness Socket Plug Wire Kit | eBay

This is a 7" halogen H4 Headlight Relay Harness with High Heat Ceramic Plugs for Cars & Trucks With 2 Headlights(High & Low Beams Plug and Play Harness!). It can make your headlight brighter by 30% -50%.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[MCKDAVID]

well after a completely non productive afternoon, going through the loom. Every wire I've touched has been either corroded to hell and back, burnt, or so frazzled it just cracks in the fingers... After a beer and a think, came to the conclusion, best thing to do is start from scratch, and do it right...Have ordered a new fuse box, some relays and wire / connectors etc. Will do it all again, and simplify it as far as I can... still can't get my head round why they thought it needed 12 fuses and circuits on this daft wee tractor, practically one per bulb.... and the what has to be the daftest wiring diagram I've ever seen, you need to go back and forth over a dozen pages to see what works what... ballache.

sure we'll simplify that fairly easily..

thanks for the ideas anyway lads, will just go with relays and direct feeds.

 

[James1979]

well after a completely non productive afternoon, going through the loom. Every wire I've touched has been either corroded to hell and back, burnt, or so frazzled it just cracks in the fingers... After a beer and a think, came to the conclusion, best thing to do is start from scratch, and do it right...Have ordered a new fuse box, some relays and wire / connectors etc. Will do it all again, and simplify it as far as I can... still can't get my head round why they thought it needed 12 fuses and circuits on this daft wee tractor, practically one per bulb.... and the what has to be the daftest wiring diagram I've ever seen, you need to go back and forth over a dozen pages to see what works what... ballache.

sure we'll simplify that fairly easily..

thanks for the ideas anyway lads, will just go with relays and direct feeds.

Sounds like a Case! I’m doing a 685 for a man at the moment and that is how you describe…..

 

[sako243]

Pair of LED Headlights H4 Hi/Lo Beam Conversion 9-32V Excellent Beam Pattern Cool White

Hi/Lo Beam H4 Conversion LEDS Negative & Positive Earth Top range 12 Volt 24 Volt range Classic Car P43T LLB472 LLB475 Superb Beam Pattern

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

Have some of these fitted in a Defender and they're pretty damn good.

 

[MCKDAVID]

renault 70-12F, unfortunately it's my own one, inherited from the father in law. Low hours, 8500h, so pretty decent, mechanically sound now, after a few fueling issues etc, tank cleaned out purged and running fine. Electrically, completely bolloxed, tried the lights, smoke came out of the fuse box, totally fried ... the flashing beacon kinda worked when it felt like it etc.. no brake lights, etc.. fine for round the farm, but I need it to go to the house which means on the road, so thought I better get it at least some lights on it... started digging, and just one thing after another, cables shorted together... how the hell it didn't burn down is a miracle...

 

[MCKDAVID]

Pair of LED Headlights H4 Hi/Lo Beam Conversion 9-32V Excellent Beam Pattern Cool White

Hi/Lo Beam H4 Conversion LEDS Negative & Positive Earth Top range 12 Volt 24 Volt range Classic Car P43T LLB472 LLB475 Superb Beam Pattern

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

Have some of these fitted in a Defender and they're pretty damn good.

that would double the value of the tractor..... hahaha

 

[Cato]

well after a completely non productive afternoon, going through the loom. Every wire I've touched has been either corroded to hell and back, burnt, or so frazzled it just cracks in the fingers... After a beer and a think, came to the conclusion, best thing to do is start from scratch, and do it right...Have ordered a new fuse box, some relays and wire / connectors etc. Will do it all again, and simplify it as far as I can... still can't get my head round why they thought it needed 12 fuses and circuits on this daft wee tractor, practically one per bulb.... and the what has to be the daftest wiring diagram I've ever seen, you need to go back and forth over a dozen pages to see what works what... ballache.

sure we'll simplify that fairly easily..

thanks for the ideas anyway lads, will just go with relays and direct feeds.

By the sound of that most of the current draw will be from corroded connections and broken wires causing high resistances. The re-wire should make things better, even if it is a PITA.

 

[8ob]

renault 70-12F, unfortunately it's my own one, inherited from the father in law. Low hours, 8500h, so pretty decent, mechanically sound now, after a few fueling issues etc, tank cleaned out purged and running fine. Electrically, completely bolloxed, tried the lights, smoke came out of the fuse box, totally fried ... the flashing beacon kinda worked when it felt like it etc.. no brake lights, etc.. fine for round the farm, but I need it to go to the house which means on the road, so thought I better get it at least some lights on it... started digging, and just one thing after another, cables shorted together... how the hell it didn't burn down is a miracle...

On ag gear with smoke leaks its easier to junk whats there and run trailer cable to the front/back and connect that in, thats enough pairs for or all the functions on a tractor.

Bob

 

[Mick Annick]

renault 70-12F, unfortunately it's my own one, inherited from the father in law. Low hours, 8500h, so pretty decent, mechanically sound now, after a few fueling issues etc, tank cleaned out purged and running fine. Electrically, completely bolloxed, tried the lights, smoke came out of the fuse box, totally fried ... the flashing beacon kinda worked when it felt like it etc.. no brake lights, etc.. fine for round the farm, but I need it to go to the house which means on the road, so thought I better get it at least some lights on it... started digging, and just one thing after another, cables shorted together... how the hell it didn't burn down is a miracle...

That’s a bit modern for this forum. Good luck though, I hate vehicle electrics, still haven’t got a working brakelight on my Bultaco

 

[Cato]

On ag gear with smoke leaks its easier to junk whats there and run trailer cable to the front/back and connect that in, thats enough pairs for or all the functions on a tractor.

Bob

Surely you'll need to add in a CAN BUS and laptop connection point otherwise it won't work and no one would be able to carry out a *diagnostic check?

*Make a list of expensive sensors and ECUs to replace.

 

[MCKDAVID]

some examples, the whole thing was full of this type of thing. @8ob agreed, old and dodgy electrics don't bother me that much, worked on them for long enough, but sometimes it's just better to quit and start a fresh...

@Cato no ecu's on this dinosaur, pull cable to stop... he used to start it with a screw driver on the starter solenoid terminals before I changed it for him about 15 years ago...

 

[Cato]

If you think about how long that wiring's been on it, the work it's done, and the conditions it has been used in, I reckon it's paid for itself.

Wiring does tend to get neglected, it doesn't last forever. I've seen "fully restored" cars and bikes with the original loom and connectors left in. It rarely ends well.

 

[Blobber]

some examples, the whole thing was full of this type of thing. @8ob agreed, old and dodgy electrics don't bother me that much, worked on them for long enough, but sometimes it's just better to quit and start a fresh...

@Cato no ecu's on this dinosaur, pull cable to stop... he used to start it with a screw driver on the starter solenoid terminals before I changed it for him about 15 years ago...

View attachment 318763View attachment 318765View attachment 318766

I thought you had to start all agri gear with a screwdriver? all the stuff i can afford you do anyhow!

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Pair of LED Headlights H4 Hi/Lo Beam Conversion 9-32V Excellent Beam Pattern Cool White

Hi/Lo Beam H4 Conversion LEDS Negative & Positive Earth Top range 12 Volt 24 Volt range Classic Car P43T LLB472 LLB475 Superb Beam Pattern

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

Have some of these fitted in a Defender and they're pretty damn good.

Make sure you refit standard bulbs for MOT time as LED bulbs in a halogen light fitting are a MOT failure

 

[MCKDAVID]

I thought you had to start all agri gear with a screwdriver? all the stuff i can afford you do anyhow!

For me that's a last resort, but for some it's the first....
Not the first time I've started them like that, won't be the last either, but given a chance, I'll sort out why it won't start normally first...

 

[sako243]

Make sure you refit standard bulbs for MOT time as LED bulbs in a halogen light fitting are a MOT failure

Didn't specify what year Defender...