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LED Replacement Bulbs for the FD3S

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Old 08-04-08, 11:09 PM
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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....

Last edited by DCrosby; 08-04-08 at 11:34 PM.
Old 08-04-08, 11:51 PM
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No it's not Turbo'd

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



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.
Old 08-05-08, 11:38 AM
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Please post up so more vids which are clearer. This is one of my net projects!
Old 08-05-08, 03:51 PM
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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.
Old 08-07-08, 03:47 PM
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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...
Old 08-07-08, 07:23 PM
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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.
Old 08-08-08, 08:49 PM
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No it's not Turbo'd

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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.
Old 08-09-08, 08:11 AM
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^Thanks for posting the list Gordon. That will be one of my first projects when getting the car back.
Old 08-11-08, 04:16 PM
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I Got 2 Of these
(3156)(Single Stage) 11 Super-Power Wide Angle High Flux LEDs for Turn Signals

4 Of these for the Brake Lights
(3157)(DualStage)


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
Old 08-12-08, 02:11 AM
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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.

Last edited by wthx100; 08-12-08 at 02:24 AM.
Old 08-12-08, 11:50 AM
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Sorry you are right 1156 and 1157 .... My Mistake, I didn't look properly on my invoice...
Old 08-12-08, 04:46 PM
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When did LED"s become so popular? Is this a product that comes stock on specific cars?
Old 08-12-08, 05:02 PM
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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...
Old 08-12-08, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by KaiFD3S
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.
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Old 08-13-08, 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by 7_rocket
When did LED"s become so popular? Is this a product that comes stock on specific cars?
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.
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.
Old 08-13-08, 11:30 AM
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Here's an Updated YouTube Video, the Vimeo HD Video Link to come....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UywIgdEs-O4
Old 08-13-08, 12:19 PM
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And here's the link to the "HD" Footage off Vimeo

http://www.vimeo.com/1520669
Old 08-13-08, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by gmonsen
It took me far too long to find this and now I have to see if they're the same lights you bought DCrosby. These are from http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/32481. They have a good cross reference from the FD light part numbers to various alternatives and these were the ones I chose...

Gordon

2 2 SUPER RED 6 LED LIGHT BULBS 194 158 168 L
Item # 194_6_R_LONG $13.98 USD
2 RED SMT 6 LED DOME LIGHT 3022 3021 DE3175 6428 6430
Item # 3175_6_SMT_R $21.98 USD
1 2 RED MSMT 18 LED DOME LIGHT BULBS 194 168 158 2821
Item # 194_18_MSMT_R $24.99 USD
1 V-LEDS SUPER RED HIGH POWER FLANK BULB 194 168 158 2825
Item # 194_HPF_R $8.99 USD
1 V-LEDS SUPER RED HIGH POWER LED BULB 194 168 158
Item # 194_HP_R
Ha I guess they finally showed up, Gordon?
Old 08-14-08, 12:06 AM
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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
Old 08-14-08, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by gmonsen
DK... Yep. Haven't seen 'em, but they're in or so I hear. I'm curious whether the dimmer will work on these? I really don't know, since I'm not really familiar with them electronically. DCrosby or someone?

Gordon
LEDs are completely dimmable. They have a shorter range though than satanrdard lights, meaning you won't have to turn the dimming **** much one way or another to control the dimming.
Old 08-14-08, 08:33 AM
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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.
Old 08-14-08, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by DCrosby
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.
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.
You forgot that they also usually last longer than incandescent.
Old 08-14-08, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by David Hayes
LEDs are completely dimmable. They have a shorter range though than satanrdard lights, meaning you won't have to turn the dimming **** much one way or another to control the dimming.
Yeah... I would imagine a resistor could provide you with a wider range.
Old 08-20-08, 10:21 AM
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very nice im starting this project this winter
Old 08-23-08, 02:55 PM
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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.
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