LED Replacement Bulbs for the FD3S
09-23-08, 07:59 AM
#51
Put it in her butt
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seen the car in person, the lights are bright and look very good. recommended if your looking for the pure white look, very clean.
toyzzzz, you gotta check out my white led dash
09-23-08, 05:25 PM
#53
No it's not Turbo'd
Thread Starter
I now have spoken to superbrightleds.com and they confirm you shouldn't put white LEDs behind red/amber lenses:
"you should always purchase the color of LED bulb that matches your
lens. So many people fail to read our Notes on Converting over to
LED bulbs: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb-notes.htm
LEDs emit the color of light. A white LED emits white light. A
red LED emits red light. There is very little light emitted from
the red part of the color spectrum in a white LED bulb. Therefore
a white LED behind a red lens is going to look dim."
DCrosby, this may be why your 3 watt LEDS looked so dim.
"you should always purchase the color of LED bulb that matches your
lens. So many people fail to read our Notes on Converting over to
LED bulbs: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb-notes.htm
LEDs emit the color of light. A white LED emits white light. A
red LED emits red light. There is very little light emitted from
the red part of the color spectrum in a white LED bulb. Therefore
a white LED behind a red lens is going to look dim."
DCrosby, this may be why your 3 watt LEDS looked so dim.
I also own a 2007 Eclipse, and the Led Tail lights are pleasant at running, but holy cow do you need some shades at night when you're standing on your brakes...
That's the kind of effect (Double the Intensity) I expected, and regardless of Difference between White and Red, the kick between Running and breaking should be significant without having a 3'rd brake light to indicate braking...
09-23-08, 09:56 PM
#54
DCrosby, the taillights I used have a large difference between brakes and non- brakes. In my estimation you can't tell a noticable difference between stock and LED for the tails. (not worth the extra expense)
Tony the gauge lights look good, I'll check it out in person after sevenstock.
Tony the gauge lights look good, I'll check it out in person after sevenstock.
09-25-08, 08:25 AM
#57
It Wasn't that they looked Dim, it's that the Change in brightness between running lights 6v and 12v to when you're braking. If you look at the Video, it's astounding how little difference is perceivable from Running Lights to Brake Lights.
I also own a 2007 Eclipse, and the Led Tail lights are pleasant at running, but holy cow do you need some shades at night when you're standing on your brakes...
That's the kind of effect (Double the Intensity) I expected, and regardless of Difference between White and Red, the kick between Running and breaking should be significant without having a 3'rd brake light to indicate braking...
I also own a 2007 Eclipse, and the Led Tail lights are pleasant at running, but holy cow do you need some shades at night when you're standing on your brakes...
That's the kind of effect (Double the Intensity) I expected, and regardless of Difference between White and Red, the kick between Running and breaking should be significant without having a 3'rd brake light to indicate braking...
03-29-09, 08:20 AM
#58
For all of the 168/194 bulbs on that list I recommend the
WLED-WHP
For the 1156 bulbs I recommend the 1156-xLX3
1157 go with the 1157-xLX3
Choose the color of your LED to match the lens for the
best color
saturation and brightness.
For the 921 I would recommend the 921-x12. Again match your
colors up.
For the 3157, the trunk light I would say it depends on how
bright
you want it. I recommend the 3157-WLX3 for the brightest.
Now that I finally have my car back, I'm going to get on this and replace all of mine with LEDs. I did replace my map lights abd 99 spec running lights with LEDS and added interior footwell LED lighting and bottom of the door strip lighting:
Looks very cool at night.
03-29-09, 06:52 PM
#59
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Hey David,
thanks for the post. Do you mind adding what the part numbers correspond to? ie 1156 is the tails and you need 4 etc..
I'm not sure which I need.
Thanks
thanks for the post. Do you mind adding what the part numbers correspond to? ie 1156 is the tails and you need 4 etc..
I'm not sure which I need.
Thanks
08-25-09, 10:58 AM
#62
Exterior LED Light Updates: Recommended Bulbs
Bringing back this thread to post the results of my exterior LED lighting project. I am very pleased with the results and wanted to share.
The goal of the project was to replace all of my exterior lights with LEDs. There are many reasons to do this, from lower power consumption, to the bulbs lasting longer, etc. but I wanted to see if I could get a more updated look from the lights. Plus, it's pretty easy to do and something we can all accomplish
My number one criteria with the LED replacements was to have equal to or greater light output than the stock OEM bulbs. With the exception of the rear center stop lights, I easily achieved this with the newer style LEDs available on the market. All of the LEDs I used are dramatically brighter than the OEM bulbs and are a nice upgrade to the car.
First, the list of LED bulbs I recommend. Unless otherwise noted, I purchased these from www.superbrightleds.com. Matt from superbrightleds was very helpful in the process and I am trying to twist his arm so so speak to offer up a "kit" of LEDs for us at a discount. Won't help me but will be good for you. The list:
Front Turn Signal (for 93-95 bumpers)
Quantity: 2
Product: 67-x15 LED bulb $ 4.95 (each)
Options: Amber 67-A15
Front Turn Signal (for 99 spec bumpers)(www.ledlight.com)
Product ID: 86845
Product Name: T20 Wedge 48 Ultra Bright LED Light
Attributes: Color - Yellow Base - 7440 Single Circuit
Price: $27.43
Quantity: 2
Front Parking Lights (for both 93-95 and 99 spec bumpers)
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
Rear Turn Signal
Quantity: 2
Product: BA15 3Watt LED bulb $ 16.95 (each)
Options: Red 1156-RLX3
Rear Tail Lights
Quantity: 4
Product: BA15 5Watt LED bulb $ 22.95 (each)
Options: Red 1157-RLX5
Center Stop Light
Quantity: 3
Product: WLED-xHP15-T Wedge Base LED bulb $ 16.95 (each)
Options: Cool White
License Plate Lights
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
Back Up Lights
Quantity: 2
Product: BA15 5Watt LED bulb $ 22.95 (each)
Options: White 1156-WLX5
Trunk Light
Quantity: 1
Product: High Power 2-LED Festoon Bulb $ 6.95 (each)
Options: Cool White 3022-CWHP2
Rear Side Marker
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: Red WLED-RHP5
Quantity: 4
Product: RL-650 Tail Light Load Resistor kit $ 4.95 (each)
Options:
Total cost was about $250 for the project so it is not cheap. A couple of notes: always match the color of the bulbs you are purchasing to the color of the lens. So, because our tail lights have a read lens cover, buy the tail light LEDs in red. The turn signals are amber so get amber for these. This will allow for the best and brightest light possible. Most guys make the mistake of buying all white bulbs and then they are not pleased with the light output. Match red to red, white to white, and amber to amber (or yellow on some sites). Another note: the turn signals require "load resistors". As posted above you will need four of these, one for each turn signal. DO NOT (as I first did) cut any of your stock wiring for these, it is not necessary. The clip on to the existing wires and are easy to install once you know what you are doing. Didn't find the instructions on this (supplied by superbrightleds.com) until after I had hacked one of the wires
So the result is very nice. The light output is greater than the stock bulbs and in some cases (trunk light, backup lights, license plate lights) dramatically better. With the exception of the center stop lights, the back running lights and stop lights are brighter than the stock units. There is also a very nice differentiation from when the lights are on to when I depress the brakes. Note here: the LED bulbs are single polarity and have to be installed in the proper direction or you won't get a differentiation between the lights and when you depress the brake. I originally had them in backwards. When I turned the lights on I was blinded by the brightness of the running lights but very disappointed with the brake lights. This was because I had installed them backwards and all 5 watts of power was on when the running lights were turned on. With them in correctly you get 3 watts of running lights and then 5 watts of braking lights which will make your stock lights look very weak.
I am still not pleased with the center stop lights (three bulbs in the middle) and the front turn signal lights. The center stop lights are too dim for me - probably fine for most - but I think they LEDs should be of equal or greater light. So, I temporarily have one stock bulb in the middle and two of the above referenced LEDs in but I have ordered another style from autoillumination.com to see if the light output is any greater. I'll post up results then. For the front turn signals, I am not pleased with the "5 light" star pattern outputted by the current LED lights I have installed. For you 93-95 spec bumper guys this will not be an issue but if you have a 99 spec bumper than it will be. What I mean by this is I like to see uniform light coming from an LED. Because the LED bulb I am using has 5 LEDs on its face, I see this coming thru the lens cover and I consider this to be a bit "ricey". I've ordered another set of bulbs that in theory will fix this but we shall see.
As an aside, I previously posted up pics of my LED interior map lights and they look great. If you want to do something similar I would highly recommend the following:
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
These will definitely add some lighting punch to your interior. And finally, I had added to the interior of my footwells and to the bottom of my doors 18 LED strip lighting in white. When I open the doors, these come on. It's great lighting at night and looks cool too. Got the idea from a Mercedes I saw. SuperbrightLEDs.com offers numerous strip lighting you could use for this.
Pics. These were taken in my parking garage around 4 pm yesterday so it's not dark outside. Should give you a pretty good feel for the brightness of the LEDs:
Front turn signals
Side Markers
Rear Running Lights
Rear Turn Signals
Brakes Depressed
Videos:
Front Turn Signals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRdQmBvPeNM
Running Lights & Turn Signals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMMSTmwaN-c
Rear Turn Signals: LED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT5-vqCBiC8
Running Lights and Brake Lights: LED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rppcrxmNmE
The goal of the project was to replace all of my exterior lights with LEDs. There are many reasons to do this, from lower power consumption, to the bulbs lasting longer, etc. but I wanted to see if I could get a more updated look from the lights. Plus, it's pretty easy to do and something we can all accomplish
My number one criteria with the LED replacements was to have equal to or greater light output than the stock OEM bulbs. With the exception of the rear center stop lights, I easily achieved this with the newer style LEDs available on the market. All of the LEDs I used are dramatically brighter than the OEM bulbs and are a nice upgrade to the car.
First, the list of LED bulbs I recommend. Unless otherwise noted, I purchased these from www.superbrightleds.com. Matt from superbrightleds was very helpful in the process and I am trying to twist his arm so so speak to offer up a "kit" of LEDs for us at a discount. Won't help me but will be good for you. The list:
Front Turn Signal (for 93-95 bumpers)
Quantity: 2
Product: 67-x15 LED bulb $ 4.95 (each)
Options: Amber 67-A15
Front Turn Signal (for 99 spec bumpers)(www.ledlight.com)
Product ID: 86845
Product Name: T20 Wedge 48 Ultra Bright LED Light
Attributes: Color - Yellow Base - 7440 Single Circuit
Price: $27.43
Quantity: 2
Front Parking Lights (for both 93-95 and 99 spec bumpers)
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
Rear Turn Signal
Quantity: 2
Product: BA15 3Watt LED bulb $ 16.95 (each)
Options: Red 1156-RLX3
Rear Tail Lights
Quantity: 4
Product: BA15 5Watt LED bulb $ 22.95 (each)
Options: Red 1157-RLX5
Center Stop Light
Quantity: 3
Product: WLED-xHP15-T Wedge Base LED bulb $ 16.95 (each)
Options: Cool White
License Plate Lights
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
Back Up Lights
Quantity: 2
Product: BA15 5Watt LED bulb $ 22.95 (each)
Options: White 1156-WLX5
Trunk Light
Quantity: 1
Product: High Power 2-LED Festoon Bulb $ 6.95 (each)
Options: Cool White 3022-CWHP2
Rear Side Marker
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: Red WLED-RHP5
Quantity: 4
Product: RL-650 Tail Light Load Resistor kit $ 4.95 (each)
Options:
Total cost was about $250 for the project so it is not cheap. A couple of notes: always match the color of the bulbs you are purchasing to the color of the lens. So, because our tail lights have a read lens cover, buy the tail light LEDs in red. The turn signals are amber so get amber for these. This will allow for the best and brightest light possible. Most guys make the mistake of buying all white bulbs and then they are not pleased with the light output. Match red to red, white to white, and amber to amber (or yellow on some sites). Another note: the turn signals require "load resistors". As posted above you will need four of these, one for each turn signal. DO NOT (as I first did) cut any of your stock wiring for these, it is not necessary. The clip on to the existing wires and are easy to install once you know what you are doing. Didn't find the instructions on this (supplied by superbrightleds.com) until after I had hacked one of the wires
So the result is very nice. The light output is greater than the stock bulbs and in some cases (trunk light, backup lights, license plate lights) dramatically better. With the exception of the center stop lights, the back running lights and stop lights are brighter than the stock units. There is also a very nice differentiation from when the lights are on to when I depress the brakes. Note here: the LED bulbs are single polarity and have to be installed in the proper direction or you won't get a differentiation between the lights and when you depress the brake. I originally had them in backwards. When I turned the lights on I was blinded by the brightness of the running lights but very disappointed with the brake lights. This was because I had installed them backwards and all 5 watts of power was on when the running lights were turned on. With them in correctly you get 3 watts of running lights and then 5 watts of braking lights which will make your stock lights look very weak.
I am still not pleased with the center stop lights (three bulbs in the middle) and the front turn signal lights. The center stop lights are too dim for me - probably fine for most - but I think they LEDs should be of equal or greater light. So, I temporarily have one stock bulb in the middle and two of the above referenced LEDs in but I have ordered another style from autoillumination.com to see if the light output is any greater. I'll post up results then. For the front turn signals, I am not pleased with the "5 light" star pattern outputted by the current LED lights I have installed. For you 93-95 spec bumper guys this will not be an issue but if you have a 99 spec bumper than it will be. What I mean by this is I like to see uniform light coming from an LED. Because the LED bulb I am using has 5 LEDs on its face, I see this coming thru the lens cover and I consider this to be a bit "ricey". I've ordered another set of bulbs that in theory will fix this but we shall see.
As an aside, I previously posted up pics of my LED interior map lights and they look great. If you want to do something similar I would highly recommend the following:
Quantity: 2
Product: WLED-xHP5 Wedge Base Bulb $ 5.95 (each)
Options: White WLED-WHP5
These will definitely add some lighting punch to your interior. And finally, I had added to the interior of my footwells and to the bottom of my doors 18 LED strip lighting in white. When I open the doors, these come on. It's great lighting at night and looks cool too. Got the idea from a Mercedes I saw. SuperbrightLEDs.com offers numerous strip lighting you could use for this.
Pics. These were taken in my parking garage around 4 pm yesterday so it's not dark outside. Should give you a pretty good feel for the brightness of the LEDs:
Front turn signals
Side Markers
Rear Running Lights
Rear Turn Signals
Brakes Depressed
Videos:
Front Turn Signals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRdQmBvPeNM
Running Lights & Turn Signals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMMSTmwaN-c
Rear Turn Signals: LED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT5-vqCBiC8
Running Lights and Brake Lights: LED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rppcrxmNmE
08-25-09, 03:40 PM
#67
I pulled it apart - Seems the driving light bulbs are fixed as part of the holder - So I would need to part/break it and fab up a mount (Just the ground that joins it)....I think I will leave the front. I will definitely do the back though! Thanks for sharing all the details
Tom.
Tom.
08-25-09, 04:11 PM
#68
Senior Member
[this is Rich/Goodfella posting on his dad's account]
David, thanks for taking the time to post all of this. I wish I wouldve taken a chance to check them out in person at the Carlisi event. I have had LEDs in the front parking light for my 99 spec bumper for years now (along with HID headlights) but plan to upgrade the taillights as well as the interior map light. Btw, I'm not seeing the pics you put up in post #70.
David, thanks for taking the time to post all of this
. I wish I wouldve taken a chance to check them out in person at the Carlisi event. I have had LEDs in the front parking light for my 99 spec bumper for years now (along with HID headlights) but plan to upgrade the taillights as well as the interior map light. Btw, I'm not seeing the pics you put up in post #70.
08-25-09, 06:13 PM
#71
You'll definitely see a difference in the map lights by using the ones I posted above. I haven't replaced the glove box one yet as it is wired in but will do so soon.
08-26-09, 08:57 AM
#73
Rotary Freak
On a side note.... I'm not an electrical guy, but why hasn't anyone thoght of the idea of offering LED lights in H4 or other widely used lamp sizes, so you can just switch them out with the OEm ones?
08-26-09, 10:55 AM
#74
I think it has to do with brightness, led are bright but not bright enough to illuminate the road. Plus if they did design one that can illuminate the road it would probably have heat issues. They do make H4 Day time running lights, since they do not need to be so bright.
08-26-09, 11:09 AM
#75
I think it has to do with brightness, led are bright but not bright enough to illuminate the road. Plus if they did design one that can illuminate the road it would probably have heat issues. They do make H4 Day time running lights, since they do not need to be so bright.
LEDs do not run hot, they consume very little power and they are basically flat so automakers can incorporate them easily into their designs.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m.../ai_100627964/