LED Replacement Bulbs for the FD3S
 

I Will post better video later, but for now, the Right Side has some newer 3Watt LED bulbs, and The Left Side Standard Tungsten Based Fillamnts... Also the LEDS are all White, as not to taint the output, and let the colored lenses do the work intended for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfagGP8p9TQ

You can see the right side has a sharper falloff, than the left... I'll Try and shoot some video with an HD cam, this was my Phone Cam....

The LED Used were from http://autolumination.com/3157_3156.htm

http://superlumination.com/images/au...57_mt_w_wm.jpg

Which uses a center 3W Wide Angle LED, and a set of side facing LEDs, the issue with our cars is that the bulb slides in from the bottom, and uses a signifiant amount of the reflector for proper illumination, thefore even the 3W. led doesn't shine in the direction of the viewer, but LED technology has significantly increased in the last few years, and it beeing less and less directional, it uses the mirrored surfaces in out tail lights more and more. The output as can be roughly judged by the video is very comparable to the tungsten based Filament. I will try and take some pictures with a fixed appreature to make the comparison a bit better to judge with pictures.

Please post up so more vids which are clearer. This is one of my net projects!

One of the reasons I posted this thread, was that another thread was very vague on which LED's they used and where they used them and what the final result was. I aim to rectify this, by writing a comprehensive article / thread and invite anybody who has used different products to post their results so that further members don't have to waste time / $$ to try this out on their own. I for one have already spent about $200 for 6 bulbs (Brakes and turn signals) + 2 Side markers.

This is not a thread about custom LED panels or custom taillight conversions. This is about Using the Stock '93+ or '99+ housings but getting a more up-to-date look on the car by using LEDs.

I Will try and wire one of the resistors for the turn signal setup in tonite, and hopefully my lovely wife will operate the signals, so that I can shoot some video.

So I got the wife to Push the pedals (Brake) and turn signals with various combos of brake and Running Lights, and to my astonishment, and dismay, I found that the Brake Signal was barely 5-10 candle power brighter than the running lights. Which made it impossible to tell that the brakes were on if you were to look, and look away. Unless you spotted the 3'rd light in the center.... This was un-acceptable, and I consequently went back to my tungsten filament bulbs for the running / bake lights, and left the LED, for the turn signals, and center brake light.

What baffles me is that LED's especially when you double the voltage have an almost logarithmic light output. Or at least so it seems, I know light falloff is substantial over distance. But I always find that LED bulbs on newer cars are almost obnoxious when on brake levels, and tolerable on running lights...

As soon as I get some capture software installed on my new PC, I'll post the video of the tests I've made thus far...

Thats very disapointing, based on the picture they are Emitter LED's which should be extraordinaly bright, i have a 1watt Emitter in my Maglight and its bright as hell. A 3watt should be like a mini headlight.

Autolumination replied to my gripe, and said that another led Type of filament, would work better for brake as the one I was using is very bright, but Doesn't get much brighter during voltage change for Brake vs Running lights.

I've gone back to normal bulbs for brakes, and I'm uncertain weather I want to dump more $$ into this alternate bulb. And what kind of Margin of increase I'm looking at... since it's all subjective, that's why I started the thread. I'm still working on getting the Video Posted...


Edit: Here's what Autolumination sent...

I am sorry you are not happy with them. You did buy pretty high quality leds in all the sizes.
In the 1157 size, I think you might be happier with the 30 led SMTs. They have a bigger variance between bright and dim circuits.

^Thanks for posting the list Gordon. That will be one of my first projects when getting the car back.

I Got 2 Of these
(3156)(Single Stage) 11 Super-Power Wide Angle High Flux LEDs for Turn Signals
http://superlumination.com/images/au...57_mt_w_wm.jpg
4 Of these for the Brake Lights
(3157)(DualStage)
http://superlumination.com/images/au...57_mt_w_wm.jpg

2 originally for Front Running Lights but ended up putting them in Center Brake Light bar on rear

25 Led SMT Tower III 194 168 W5W 2825
http://superlumination.com/images/au..._smt3_w_wm.jpg

If i wanted super bright rear brake and signal lights which bulbs would you guys recommend? Which brake led bulb was super bright yet you could barely tell between when it was driving light vs brake light? Is anyone running the 60led smt 1157 or 1156's?
Why are you using 3157's for brake lights arn't they 1157's?
I bought a pair of 2057's and if they dont have enough of a light difference then i might wind up just using them for reverse lights.

Sorry you are right 1156 and 1157 .... My Mistake, I didn't look properly on my invoice...

When did LED"s become so popular? Is this a product that comes stock on specific cars?

They are popular because they draw less voltage than regular bulbs, this is one of my projects over the winter is converting everything to LED other than the headlights,...I will be using some truck lights too....LOL...

I think you mean amps.

Pick your reason,

1) Faster Reaction time between full on / full off
2) Less power Draw, so running an PC1600 with the 4 ways on won't drain your battery in 2 Min. :D
3) Blue-er color, white LEDs, have a color temp closer to 5600k more like HID's, so they match better with the new Sylvania Headlights, and other "Ricer" or whatever you want to call them options.
4) if you're going with a complete LED panel replacement, then you'll have more of a Modern Infinity / Lexus / Cadillac etc, etc.. look.
5) Safety LED can be brighter than standard filaments if setup properly.

It just makes for a cleaner more modern look.

Here's an Updated YouTube Video, the Vimeo HD Video Link to come....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UywIgdEs-O4

And here's the link to the "HD" Footage off Vimeo

http://www.vimeo.com/1520669

Ha I guess they finally showed up, Gordon?

Gordon, curious if you have tried the lights in your list yet. I ordered the same ones in white and could'nt us some.

James

LEDs are completely dimmable. They have a shorter range though than satanrdard lights, meaning you won't have to turn the dimming knob much one way or another to control the dimming.

The only thing I have in my car is the dome light which I put in white peanut bulbs. I like the LED idea of yours Crosby. Looks nice and updated.

You forgot that they also usually last longer than incandescent.

Yeah... I would imagine a resistor could provide you with a wider range.

very nice im starting this project this winter

Would anyone be interested in a group buy for LED replacement lights? How about if a company offered a complete set of lights for the FD?

I've done a great deal of LED research and work, primarily with several commercial home lighting projects, and have found www.superbrightleds.com to be an excellent source for LED lights.

What if the company put together a complete set of the best and brightest LED replacement bulbs for the FD and for that matter, the FC and offered them at a discount via a group buy?

Let me know if you would be interested and I'll take it from there.