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LED Brake Light Bulbs?

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CinneaghTR

CinneaghTR

Jedi Warrior
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This is a spin-off from the instrument bulb discussion.

Has anyone mounted modern LED bulbs in their brake and turn signal lights? I am considering this for more visibility at night (heck, as well as for the day for that matter) and would think that it would not deter from the originality of the car since it is a straight plug-in arrangment. Anyway, I would like to know if it works and if it is indeed an improvement.

Having said that, one of my future projects is a generator rebuild, contact cleaning, etc.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
We had a similar discussion on this very forum back in June. As I did then, I will do now and post a link from a bulb vendor site with information on use of LED bulbs -- https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb-notes.htm -- and let you make your own decision. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Thanks guys, I'll keep you up-to-date. Now, if I could just make my headlights as bright and annoying as modern cars...

Andy, I'm a little embarassed since research is what I do for a living. Anyway, I'll use the forum's search function next time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Andy, I'm a little embarassed since research is what I do for a living. Anyway, I'll use the forum's search function next time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Jeremy, don't feel badly! I don't really do a lot of research for a living, but I am a librarian. In this case, though, it was a matter of my remembering that I'd found and posted that link before, after wondering about LED bulbs myself.

Headlights, though, are simple. You can easily buy 7" sealed-beam halogens almost anywhere, or (depending on your state's laws) you can go the next step and buy REAL headlights that take H4 bulbs. Either is a respectable improvement over the tungsten-filament sealed beams that came on our cars when they were new!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys, I'll keep you up-to-date. Now, if I could just make my headlights as bright and annoying as modern cars...

[/ QUOTE ]
I have found that the trendy blue headlights, while certainly being annoying to oncoming drivers, actually put less usable illumination on the road where you need it. Something about eye sensitivity to various reflected light frequencies?
D
 
Most bayonet based LED replacement lamps have all the LEDs facing outwards, the Autoilumination link provided above by Ab Crevoiserat, shows LEDs that are set up in as close an aray as a conventional tungsten bulb therefor should provide better or more even illumination in the reflectorized (chromed) interior lamp holders or tail lights.
The thread about guage illumination also discusses the possibility of manually re chroming the lamp holders fixtures using "Bare Metal - Chroming Foil"
You can also get more info here at BCF by doing a topic search under "Augmented Rear Signals"
 
LED's are very directional. They are bright head-on, and quite dim when you move slightly off center. Because they are facing out, they will not use the lamp reflector, creating a tiny brake light instead of the full sized one.

I've seen them in use as you describe, the results were poor. A bright little light when viewed straight on, all but invisible when one lane over. Not good imo.

The expensive cluster units with LED's pointing out in all directions worked better, but still were not as effective as regular bulbs.

LED lamp assemblies like those used in many commercial trucks work well. But the replacement bulb units do not.
 
Here is my LED light bar and rear brake lights (stock old bulbs) with brake applied. It doesn't appear to be much different in the photo, but those following me in the fog said they could see the LED bar clearly,but not the brake lights.

LED Light 005 (Custom).jpg
 
Jeremy: Here is the company. Really nice people.

https://www.cfrlights.com/sdc.html?tp=CONTINUE+SHOPPING#15_LED_Ultra_Light_Bar

It's the 15" High & low intensity, which means it works on the parking and brake lights. Three (3) lights for parking and full across when brakes are applied.

I understand that they may have a unit now that includes turn signals on the ends. These draw virtually no amperage, so that is not a worry when you install.
 
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