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LED lights? what color?

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Lynn Kirkpatrick

Lynn Kirkpatrick

Jedi Hopeful
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Has anyone had experience replacing regular (incandescent)bulbs with LED bulbs? I want brighter lights on a car that has a tinted tail light cover.

I tried some some white ones. They go into a tail light with red lens. The regular bulbs light up the whole lens. The LEDs that I tried light up a spot, but it's a brighter spot, since LEDs shine in one direction. The LEDs that I tried had lights only on the end so they only shine backward, so that's why I get a spot. I was told by some LED guys that I need to buy bulbs that have LEDs that point outward, too. I guess I can believe that.

BUT, they also said I should use RED LEDs, even behind red lenses. That seems bass-akwards. Has anyone else done this?
Thanks
 
Lynn;
I have used the LED lights both in the dash and at the back of my healey behind red lens.
The white have worked fine for me in both areas.
It helps others to see my car at night.

The link below is the web site I have used.

https://autolumination.com/otherleds.htm

By the way, the LED's make it so I can see the turn indicator during the day.
There is a great topic here on the BCF that I read some time back.
 
I use a halogen lights in both the turn signals and dash lights and love then.

Send me a pm if you want more info

Cheers

Mark
 
Lynn Kirkpatrick said:
BUT, they also said I should use RED LEDs, even behind red lenses. That seems bass-akwards. Has anyone else done this?
Thanks
Click to expand...

And they are correct! LEDs are totally different than incandescent lamps. Incandescent lamps create a wide spectrum of color and the filter blocks out what you don't want.

LEDs produce (primarily) a single wave length (color) the color of the plastic does virtually nothing since the device is producing almost exclusively red (or whatever color) light.

Try two LEDs of different colors but the same lumen output (not watts) and try filtering them. the matching color will have almost the same amount of light with or without the filter. A different color will have significantly less light.
 
Well, I'm learning a lot here. I got the red ones, 48 little leds sticking out all over the place. But they are no brighter than the 1157 incandescent ones.

Fortunately the guy on the phone said they may not be much brighter and I could return them if I'm not happy. So I'll have to pay shipping, but now I know. (Pretty good service in this day and age.)

I may try the halogens, if I can find some. I have to be convinced that the tail light lens won't droop from the extra heat.
 
Hi Lynn,

Consider carefully before you come to the conclusion that a LED Replacement is such a Bright Idea/

A little while back I found that my brake switch had stuck on and the MR16 high-intensity 20W lights I installed behind my original plastic reflector lenses started to melt. Since I do like the added illumination of having lights behind the reflectors, I started to search for cooler alternative light sources and focused on LEDs. As a result of my research and experimentation, hear is some of what I have learned:
1. The choice of 1156 and 1157 LED replacements is quite broad and, although many state equal or greater illumination to 115X incandescent, very few meet that commitment.
2. Contrary to common incandescent practice, the LED chosen must be the same color as the lens or a large portion if its light output will be filtered out.
3. LEDs do generate heat at its base rather than at the bulb and high output units require a heat sink that, if not built into the bulb, must be added.
4. LEDs are sensitive to current deviations where incandescent are sensitive to voltage. A separate current control must be installed if not incorporated in the bulb’s design.
5. Although the benefit of an LED is its low amperage draw, if used with a flasher, either a large resistor must be installed with each light (greatly eliminating that benefit) or an electronic flasher must be substituted for your original.
6. Common LED replacements incorporate two types of LEDs (Surface Mount a Bulb) with SMDs potentially providing greater lumens per source.
7. If installed correctly, LED longevity is greater than incandescent, however when considering the time/use we put our LBCs through, either lighting source should last for many many years.
8. Good 115X LED replacements are not inexpensive and $25/bulb is today’s reasonable price.

I did install relatively inexpensive LEDs behind my reflectors that were stated to be much brighter than 1156s by their manufacturer. My satisfaction with these lights is marginal at best and this experience has convinced me to put off further LED lighting conversions until a reasonably priced total solution can be found.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1 Healey)
 
Ray
Yes, I came to pretty much the same conclusions on LEDs as you. I gave up on them and I'm using 2357's which are incandescent and a little brighter.

I did find some halogen bulbs on the net. They would be used in the brake/tail lights of a show car, so the time ON at 50 watts would be pretty short. I didn't think that drooping lenses would be a concern.

But when they got here I was reading the package (before opening it) and it said "Do Not Use In Plastic Plugs", which is what is in the car ('83 Trans Am). So I called the distributor and was able to return them, but I ate shipping costs both ways. I suggested they put a warning on the site.

Thanks for the confirmation of your LED results matching mine. When I was trying them I kept thinking I must be doing something wrong. At least it wasn't me..... this time.
 
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