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LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - Printable Version

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LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - scottmcleod - 07-13-2010

I'm going to be switching my car over to LED's over the next while. I will be posting comments, reviews and links as I go.

Taillight Replacement (#3157/LL):
- Eurolite LED 3157/4157 RED Drop-in replacements
Price: $7.99/ea @ Canadian Tire
Review:
Brightness? Bright enough, yes.
Directionality? Far too directional for use in a rear reflector. You just can't see them from any angle but straight back.
Pics:
... I'll upload pics tomorrow, but chances are these buggers are going back.

The "perfect LED" for 3157?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pair-3157-39-LED-Bright-Red-Bulbs-Signal-Tail-Lights-/330396490591?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ced2a5b5f
- LED 3157 "39 LED" RED Drop-in replacements.
Price: 40$/pair (exorbitant shipping to cover costs...)
Review
... I'll review these once I get the balls to order a pair. 40$ is a lot...
Pics:
... again, if I order a pair, y'all'l be the first to see pics.

5-LED White Bulb for (3886X - Maplights)
Price: 3.79$USD Shipped for PAIR
Link: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330424299060&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
[Image: ViewPicture.aspx?Key=ba874551-8938-43b1-...=383&W=500]
Review
Brightness: (haven't received yet)
Directionality: (haven't received yet)

2-1W LED Replacement for 6411/6418 (Centre Dome / License Plate)
Price: 2.03$/ea Shipped
[Image: ViewPicture.aspx?Key=b623b5af-7c3b-4350-...=300&W=400]
Review
NOTE: Only ordered 1 because I'm comparing between the 2-LED or the 6-SMD-LED versions. I'll order one of those next. If I like it, I may just order one more of the same one.
Brightness:
Directionality:

The 194 (side marker) is a bit of a mixed bag online. They're all cheap, but it's tough to tell which has the highest output.

For now, I'm going to order a pair of the cheap white ones rated at 240,000MCD:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/1-pcs-T10-7-LED-Bulbs-Xenon-White-168-194-W5W-55-/190413273233?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5583f891
and
http://cgi.ebay.ca/2pcs-T10-W5W-168-194-Inverted-LED-Amber-Wedge-Bulbs-/200494807786?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eae6bfaea
... and if those suck, I'll try these:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/2pcs-158-168-194-T10-W5W-6-LED-Amber-Wedge-Bulbs-/190415966651?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c55ad11bb

... Anyone else who's had successful ebay (or online store, or local store) hunting for LED's, Feel free to jump in with your review & photos.

Expect to see me back in a week or two once my Chinese wares reach Canadian Soil! :-)

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - Focus man. Focus. - 07-13-2010

I think if you are using a red LED bulb in a red housing you will not get that much light output as you would if you used a white bulb in the same location. The red of the bulb cancels out the red of the reflector and you will not recieve the correct transmission of light. Also the more LED's on the bulb the better. Have you noticed a "Hyper Flash" in the signals? Make sure they have a built in diode to correct that situation.

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - scottmcleod - 07-13-2010

(07-13-2010, 08:44 PM)Focus man. Focus. Wrote: I think if you are using a red LED bulb in a red housing you will not get that much light output as you would if you used a white bulb in the same location. The red of the bulb cancels out the red of the reflector and you will not recieve the correct transmission of light. Also the more LED's on the bulb the better. Have you noticed a "Hyper Flash" in the signals? Make sure they have a built in diode to correct that situation.

Other way around :-P I was thinking the same thing, and then I remembered "hey, it's no different than the gels I use in theatre."

To simplify it:
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/ypop/Classroom/Lessons/Filters/landfilter.html

Or even right from the horse's mouth:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fcarbulb-notes.htm

Red filters let through red light only. (the rest of the spectrum is blocked out, in one form or another.)

So actually, a red filter would let through more light from a RED led, rather than a WHITE led of the same brightness.

As far as hyperflash, didn't notice anything on the EUROLITE bulbs yet. I'm planning on re-testing this morning and taking photos.

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - Frost__2001 - 07-13-2010

Keep in mind that come winter, you'll have to regularly make sure your rear lights are free from any snow, or ice build up as the LED's don't produce enough heat to melt it off for you, and if your driving on the highway durring a snow storm you'll have to clear them more frequently.

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - scottmcleod - 07-14-2010

(07-13-2010, 11:48 PM)Frost__2001 Wrote: Keep in mind that come winter, you'll have to regularly make sure your rear lights are free from any snow, or ice build up as the LED's don't produce enough heat to melt it off for you, and if your driving on the highway durring a snow storm you'll have to clear them more frequently.

Good point. I won't put LEDs anywhere where I can't change them seasonally.

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - konafocuswrc - 07-14-2010

make sure to search for "non resistor needed for hyper blinking"..
they exist somewhere..

i once had led turn singnal that goes into st170 headlight(which is front grill on na spec), never had hyper blinks.
i had it like 4 years ago, so i m not sure where i got it from but it is from ebay for sure..

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - scottmcleod - 07-14-2010

(07-14-2010, 01:13 AM)konafocuswrc Wrote: make sure to search for "non resistor needed for hyper blinking"..
they exist somewhere..

i once had led turn singnal that goes into st170 headlight(which is front grill on na spec), never had hyper blinks.
i had it like 4 years ago, so i m not sure where i got it from but it is from ebay for sure..

Good call. From what I can tell, the EUROLITE ones include the big honkin' resistor.

The other ones I ordered appeared to have a large resistor in them as well. Worst case scenario, I'll crack 'em open and add whatever resistor is needed.

-S

RE: LED Bulb Replacements... the Review Thread! - Scorcher000 - 07-17-2010

I'm too late to post but these two Ebay stores are great for LED supplies.

http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/led-hk__W0QQ_armrsZ1

http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/led-world2007__W0QQ_armrsZ1