LED replacement bulbs
#1
LED replacement bulbs
So, I've been looking at the idea of replacing my bulbs with LED's. Right now I'm thinking about the tail/brake lights because I have a brake light out. Before I start randomly picking out bulbs, has anyone else tried it? I did search around on here some yesterday and this morning, but didn't see any direct "this has been done" threads. I even tried looking for bulb types/numbers and couldn't really find what I was looking for.
I'm thinking the tail/brake/turn signals (rear) are all 1156, right? I only plan on doing one set at a time... can get a little pricey for some decent/bright LED's. I'll more than likely go through https://www.superbrightleds.com/ to get the bulbs.
Also, I'm curious if the turn signals will flash faster if I use LED's because of the lack of load they require compared to the original bulbs. And, my main question regarding that... If they do, and I don't add resistors, and keep the flash rate fast, will that have any effects down the road? I don't see a fast flash rate as a bad thing. It would be more of an "attention getter" I would think, because it's not the normal flash rate you see everyday. Thoughts?
I'm thinking the tail/brake/turn signals (rear) are all 1156, right? I only plan on doing one set at a time... can get a little pricey for some decent/bright LED's. I'll more than likely go through https://www.superbrightleds.com/ to get the bulbs.
Also, I'm curious if the turn signals will flash faster if I use LED's because of the lack of load they require compared to the original bulbs. And, my main question regarding that... If they do, and I don't add resistors, and keep the flash rate fast, will that have any effects down the road? I don't see a fast flash rate as a bad thing. It would be more of an "attention getter" I would think, because it's not the normal flash rate you see everyday. Thoughts?
#2
A compfuser on board may go bananas with LED lights, as they put too little load on the circuits and may be interpreted as a failure. Be aware if you get weird behaviors.
I have 2 of the 4 tail lights with LEDs, and once was stopped by police that told me I had zero rear lights on. But they were on ! And let me go.
My utility trailer with LEDs does not always register to the dash indicator the trailer is connected.
I have 2 of the 4 tail lights with LEDs, and once was stopped by police that told me I had zero rear lights on. But they were on ! And let me go.
My utility trailer with LEDs does not always register to the dash indicator the trailer is connected.
#3
#4
I replaced all of my back lights except the turn signals with LEDs. Also the dome lights. IMHO the dome lights are too dim. The turn signal LED bulbs I got wouldn't flash because they draw too little current. All of the others work great. I bought them all on ebay. Get the CREE bulbs.
#5
I had gotten the LED Brake lights and rear turn signals from autozone, the old style LED where they all face outward. The only problem I found with them was that because the LED's were facing only out it didn't illuminate the entire housing, there was just a small red circle and the brightness difference was very small from running light to pressing on the brake. Also one of my bulbs just started flickering so I had to change them out. My blinkers blink twice as fast which I actually like being in California, people are more prone to seeing a fast bright blinker. I would say to get an LED that has them on the sides and front so it's a lot brighter. I haven't found one I want yet because a decent one is fairly pricey.
#6
I had gotten the LED Brake lights and rear turn signals from autozone, the old style LED where they all face outward. The only problem I found with them was that because the LED's were facing only out it didn't illuminate the entire housing, there was just a small red circle and the brightness difference was very small from running light to pressing on the brake. Also one of my bulbs just started flickering so I had to change them out. My blinkers blink twice as fast which I actually like being in California, people are more prone to seeing a fast bright blinker. I would say to get an LED that has them on the sides and front so it's a lot brighter. I haven't found one I want yet because a decent one is fairly pricey.
I agree with you on the blinkers. I don't see an issue with them blinking at the faster rate. I actually see it as a plus. With it being faster, it's different than every other car on the road, and that is what will get the attention.
#7
Here's what I'm using on my truck:
Brake lights - 14 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, Red, 1156
Reverse lights - 14 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, White, 1156
CHMSL - 7 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, Red, 1156
Fender mount turn signal repeaters, and amber parking lights - 7 Watt Osram, Amber
Glove box, dome lights, and license plate lights - SYLVANIA 6418 LED Premium White Miniature Bulb, (Pack of 1)
City Lights (the one in the headlight housings) - SYLVANIA 168/194/2825 LED Premium White Miniature Bulb, (Pack of 1)
None of these bulbs are especially cheap, but they last a long time, and do a spectacular job of lighting the housing they're in.
On the brake and reverse lights:
You could probably go with the much brighter 50 and 80 Watt Eagle Eye SMT Towers, but they weren't released when I initially ordered my LED's. According to the vendor, their draw isn't actually 50w or 80w, but they're enormously bright.
Also, you have to match the color of the LED with the color of the lens it will be sitting behind. Red LED behind a red lens, amber LED behind a amber lens, and so on. Faiure to adhere to this will result is some odd colors being presented when the LED illuminates.
Brake lights - 14 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, Red, 1156
Reverse lights - 14 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, White, 1156
CHMSL - 7 Watt Eagle EYE SMT Tower, Red, 1156
Fender mount turn signal repeaters, and amber parking lights - 7 Watt Osram, Amber
Glove box, dome lights, and license plate lights - SYLVANIA 6418 LED Premium White Miniature Bulb, (Pack of 1)
City Lights (the one in the headlight housings) - SYLVANIA 168/194/2825 LED Premium White Miniature Bulb, (Pack of 1)
None of these bulbs are especially cheap, but they last a long time, and do a spectacular job of lighting the housing they're in.
On the brake and reverse lights:
You could probably go with the much brighter 50 and 80 Watt Eagle Eye SMT Towers, but they weren't released when I initially ordered my LED's. According to the vendor, their draw isn't actually 50w or 80w, but they're enormously bright.
Also, you have to match the color of the LED with the color of the lens it will be sitting behind. Red LED behind a red lens, amber LED behind a amber lens, and so on. Faiure to adhere to this will result is some odd colors being presented when the LED illuminates.
#9
#10
Are there no regulations on flash rate and brightness of bulbs?
If you get rear ended and the culprit spots that you have non standard bulbs they might have a case against you.
I see some vehicles with smoked out brake lenses, like tints. Seems quite illogical to me that does.
If you get rear ended and the culprit spots that you have non standard bulbs they might have a case against you.
I see some vehicles with smoked out brake lenses, like tints. Seems quite illogical to me that does.