Reversing D-lamps

[Hungry_Horse_1955]

I am helping my dad with his restoration of his 1939 Rover Sports Saloon and we were looking into the rear lights (sic).

Originally these vehicles had a reversing light, courtesy of a split D-lamp. One D-lamp had the stop light and a side/number plate light whilst the other had a reversing light and a side/number plate light.

My father was told that the old D-lamps were illegal and a previous owner had replaced the D-lamps by a later single lens type and a doctored split type. I am of the opinion that if they were legal in 1939 they should be legal now! I didn't think that the legislation was retrospective. I also seem to remember in the 1970s when I had a copy of the Construction and Use Act that the rear side lights had to be a minimum of 1sq-in, which I thought the early split type were.

Anyway, after all that preamble, does any one know if the split type D-lamps are still legal? Does anyone know if you can still get the reversing type, or the clear lens? I saw a pair recently on the canadian ebay for US$250!!!

[47p2]

I'm not sure about the legallity of the lights you suggest but from a safety factor most people go for 2 red D-lamps showing 2 stop lamps and 2 side lamps

[Hungry_Horse_1955]

I know from the safety factor point of view the lights aren't exactly 'bright'. I was just wondering if we could get some for 'shows' to have it nearly original

I've seen a LED conversion for D-lamps, but then if we go that route, why not change them to the 2 stops and 2 sides any way, as you suggest!

[Phil - Nottingham]

I have made mine now twin white/red and fitted orange BA7s 21w halogens in the white for flashing indicators essential to supplement the trafficators plus a special small globe BA15s 21/8w stop/tail in the narrow red part which also illuminates teh number plate as original.

They work really well but I do not really use the car much in the dark! The 36w dip/main headlamps are rather feeble! I have got some of te converters to take modern 7" semi-sealed hlaogens or eaven sealed beams but I do not like the look. Uprated double filament halogens can be had but will still be yellowish with genuine silvered headlights and the lamp fluting can make them dazzle other drivers unless tilted downwards too much.

I have also a discrete narrow high level Led red brake light strp on the rear window frame as well after almost being rear-ended from when I had the twin large brake lights in the D lamp. It is only noticeable when it lights up

I have central mounted reversing lamp (chrome Lucas) below the number plate.

I understand the narrow red part is technically illegal as it will not take a circle of the 1" minimum diameter within - this has been the case since the early 1950's when compulsory rear reflectors were made retrospective too (along with double dip headlights a little earlier). The max side and tail light wattage is also 6w and the minimum distance apart and from the outside is only just satisfied with the existing number plate set-up.

There many still out there with existing arrangement but a single brake light mounted on offside is still legal and the reverse light only has to be below 21w mounted anywhere.

LED's are useless in old light fittings - they are good in the dark but invisible in daylight - even the multi-directional types of bulbs.

I tried them in my P5 - I still have them in the number plate light but every year it fails it MOT till I ask them to actually look up underneath - in the the dark though they are really bright.

If you wanst to try LEDS I got mine from Ultraleds - they do every type but they are pricey.

The exact specs can all be downloaded but unless they are baltently outside spec no-one seems to mind much

[Andresawan5251]

LED's are useless in old light fittings - they are good in the dark but invisible in daylight - even the multi-directional types of bulbs.
led lights manufacturers

[chris dancey]

LEDs in a P2 ?

[GOY189]

Maybe I'm being dim ( pun intended!) , but I have always thought that diodes were polarity sensitive, so would an LED bulb work on a positive earth car like a P2?

Mike

[paul williams]

Just to add some light on the discussion LED lights are available in neg and pos earth

[MarcusCarson]

Just to add some light on the discussion LED lights are available in neg and pos earth

Thanks for sharing information.. I was always worried about polarity and now the confusion is solved