led bulbs opinion

[86subaru]

been reading about led bulbs , tail , lights etc... less pull on alt, any opinion

[wtdash]

I know they last longer...are they direct replacements for older cars' bulbs, too?

[86subaru]

yes, but would they be as bright ?

[bheinen74]

not as bright, cost LOTS more, and don't really last quite as long as they are advertised to last.

 

test for you 2 do:

go buy 2 regular bulb maglites of the same model number, and enough new batteries of the same brand for use in both lights at the same time.

 

Buy the led updgrade bulb and place in one new unit, and new batteries

then go out and test for yourself you will see.

Edited November 28, 2010 by bheinen74

[Ionlyhave3suubs]

Lights that have to flash (turn signals) will require a new flasher engineered for LEDs. Also they are somewhat directional. If you go that route, you need to make sure they "shine" outward. You can get them that have the LEDs face in different directions. If you get the right type, they are more visible with slightly lower power consumption.

 

The following websites have lots of options. The first address has details about bulb selection and flashers.

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fcarbulb-notes.htm

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2F1157.htm

 

http://www.ledlight.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=1157

[heartless]

the so called LED "replacement" bulbs for your tail lights and/or turnsignals - no way - tried them...with not so good results. (see the comments about the maglite experiment above - and no, the LED "upgrade" for the maglight is NOT as bright...)

 

LED lights in sealed housings, like for trailers - definitely! they are engineered specifically for their intended use and work very well.

case in point - we bought an 18ft car trlr a couple yrs ago - only lighting it had was the standard combo stop/turn/tail lights found on most trailers - no side marker lights at all.

 

We spent the extra money and installed a full compliment of LED lights all around - the combo stop/turn/tail lights, rear facing center markers and side markers. They are VERY nice and very easy to see from quite a distance, and almost no drain on the tow vehicle's charging system. The big difference being, the housings/lenses on these sealed lights are made specifically for the LED lights - the housings/lenses of your car are NOT designed for LED's - unless, of course, the car came with LED's from the factory.

[AWDfreak]

I heard that a disadvantage of LEDs are that they can't melt off ice/snow in very cold climates. Any truth to this?

[1-3-2-4]

I retro fitted a SSC P7 for my reverse lights for my JDM tail lights but I have yet to install it yet Only because I had issues with the LED driver.. these things suck up about 3 A but they give out about 900 lm per LED..

 

I have pictures around someplace before everything went in the car.. Thats something I should do.. Oh also you need heatsinks because they get hot quick and too hot they start to dim then later fail.

[bheinen74]

I heard that a disadvantage of LEDs are that they can't melt off ice/snow in very cold climates. Any truth to this?

 

thats the truth. A few years ago, some cities around here replaced the traffic stoplights with new LED versions. Well, you can't see the red and green in direct sunlight, and the places that converted have admitted that when its snowing, the leds version do not melt the snow off, and the lights cannot be seen. Its a traffic hazard going to

LED on stoplights, same if you do your car that way.

[MilesFox]

I have the LED trailer lights on the back of my 68 GMC flatbed. They are much brighter, but i did have to get an electronic flasher for $10 to have working turns.

 

I have the LED maglites, and the LED is much brighter although the color temperature is more on the blue spectrum. The batteries last much longer, as i converted a 4 cell mag to LED with half drained batteries about 75% bright on the incandescent, and the light is 90% as bright as the new LED 3 cell mag with fresh batteries. I have a 2 cell AA mag light that flashes S.O.S, and i can't wait until the batteries go out so i can use the lithium batteries, which will take quite a long time on the alkalines, since i use this light almost daily, and keep in my pocket.

 

I would think that modern day LED would have the super high output white LED in a reflective housing with a standard 1157 style base.

 

You could easily enough do the dome lights as far as battery draw, any lights that are on when the car is not running.

[nipper]

They are available, they will function, but may not work. LEDs are very directional in how they throw light, and are brightest when looked at directly. Unless the tailoight is made for this (hrrrm sounds like a project) plugginf them into a a standard refelctor will not throw enough light properly. They may look OK in normal darkness (as opposed to abby-normal.. wait thats something different), but in fowl weather may not. Also if the reflector is designed to throw the light as well to the side as rear they will not throw enough light at all.

[86subaru]

ok, good reading and opinions thanks

[1-3-2-4]

I found my pictures..

 

the LED driven at 1A

 

 

LED and Stock

 

 

 

I think this was still 1A and not 3A in this shot

 

 

heatsink

 

 

here the LED's are out and just driven at 1A

 

[nipper]

And as in all things in life, sometimes too much power is a bad thing too.

 

Stock is not wolrse, it is correct, after is too bright.