Anyone using LED replacements for the tail lights, i know you can get them on EBay for like $20 shipped.

My colored bulbs are fading, i need to get somethign permanent.

ANyone running them?

 

I'm obviously not running mine, but when I saw my car the other day, the damned tail lights were ALREADY starting to fade to orange!!

 

I run the ones Manntis was selling a while back. They work great, except the "brake light" turns on every time I press the brakes because of the lack of resistance.

Also, the turn signals are MUCH faster, also because of the lack of resistance. But they shine beautifully.

When I put my blue instrument cluster in, I will just remove the bulb that keeps lighting up.

 

I could have swore you said you were done...car is complete. Love that statement, makes a liar outa all of us.. We are never done improving are cars

 

LEDs are cool.

 

is there a way you could add a resistor just before the LED cluster?
or would this make them not so bright?

and to fix the indicators would a small capacitor work?

just my 2c

-Cheers

 

Maybe a small step up transformer to increase the voltage a bit, then a resistor to increase the resistance. might have to watch your current values though.

 

You're not going to use a step-up transformer in a DC circuit

 

i dont know.. i fail elec circuits last semester.. (not good when you're doing Mechatronics and a third of the stuff is electrics)

-Cheers

 

An inline resistor would certainly increase the resistance and dim the LEDs... depending on how much resistance you need it might work though with just a small rated resistor.

Wouldn't the indicators need the same thing?

 

Add resistor, decrease brightness... Not a problem, since LED's are usually brighter than stock bulbs anyhow..

Hell, you could add adjustable resistors to the turn signals and change the speed at which they blink...

Hmmm... New rice item to sell... BACK OFF EVERYONE, PATENT PENDING!

 

or you could install them normally and cut the wires that activate the "brake" warning light.

 

what is is infamous 'brake' light?
is it the handbreak light?

(yet to see my 7 running..)

-Cheers

 

what handbreak light? You mean the hand brake light?

I've LEDs for sale. They cost a bit more than the APC ones but I believe the better quality justifies it.

 

Manntis, I tried ordering from your rotorhead.ca site a while back and had nothing bad luck. Paypal saying something about not being able to receive money.

 

i had those in my car and i didnt like that the brake light on the dash came on everytime i hit the brakes, plus i dont thing they bright too well during the dayi had too many people telling me that i didnt had brakes light. maibe will work on your car because you have clear lights but not on the stock tail light covers

 

I was weeding out suppliers. It's back up now.

 

Manntis, sent you a PM but didnnt get a response. Is that $30 for all 4 or $30 for one?

 

I am also a member of Vehicross.Info and a while back they went through some tests with LEDs from "LED Tronics". While the videos are of a Vehicross, I thought some may like to see the difference. Below were their conclusions.

PROS
-- Very cool running
-- I LOVE the instant on/off ( NO ramp up)
-- The reds make the taillights match the 3rd brake light perfectly!
-- Very bright

CONS
-- Not as bright from the edges
-- NOT overall as bright as incandescent lamps (Does not fill the lamp housing with light)
-- the light IS directional in output even with the side firing lights.
-- the yellows do not have as bright a glow in the turn signal housing
-- They are pretty pricey (But, you'll never have to replace another bulb)

All in all they are not bad. There are differences but it would have to be up to personal choice to see what you'd prefer.

Here's some PICS for ya and a couple vids. (Note: LED light on Driver's side, incandescent on passenger side)
#1 showing the difference of the flashers
#2 Showing the glow that the lights produce


Vehicross.Info Full LED Thread

 

Thank you very much for this information!!