LEDs

robert · 07-17-07, 09:05

to those that upgraded their light bulbs to LEDs,did any of you purchase resistors or flashers also to make them work with your turn/signal lamps? reason im asking is because i been pondering about upgrading mines on my 89 nissan 240 and im just wondering how hard it is do to this upgrade/mod. i been looking at the superbrightleds.com website and they have wiring instructions and all but i just want to make sure that when i do upgrade my bulbs to LEDs that i purchase all the necessary resistors/flashers i need to make them work for my car.TIA!

Rob

kaval · 07-17-07, 09:17

I wouldn't change the turning signals to LEDs..you can't see them during the day. More of a hazard than anything IMO.

robert · 07-17-07, 10:37

just curious,how is it a hazard?i would think they emit light better than someone having tinted/covered lenses that wont show too well.. only reason i can see them being a hazard is if the sunlight is significantly brighter than some places.

ManiZ · 07-17-07, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

just curious,how is it a hazard?i would think they emit light better than someone having tinted/covered lenses that wont show too well.. only reason i can see them being a hazard is if the sunlight is significantly brighter than some places.

Yes, they WILL be a hazard when used as blinkers. LEDs are extremely directional, no matter how wide of a viewing angle they may have. Ones from factory are tested for large viewing angles with ultra-bright, high-current LEDs, plus they often employ reflectors to further improve the angle. Aftermarket LED blinker bulbs do none of that; they are cheap, unreliable, and unproven; three of the reasons reputable companies do not make blinker LED bulbs. They will be several times less bright than a $2 halogen bulb from Wal-Mart. I have seen some that are nearly invisible under direct sunlight.

My opinion: Don't do it.

P.S.: superbrightleds.com is a joke. I bought their white 5-LED 194 bulb to illuminate my hatch's interior area and half of its LEDs died after no more than 20 minutes of total usage time! I know many others who had the same experience.

robert · 07-17-07, 11:26

alright thanks Mani and Kaval for sharing your experiences with them.

Mani-any suggestions on any other sites i can purchase some LEDS then to use for my sidemarkers and stop lamps?im also planning on upgrading my headlamps using the Hella H4 housing conversion.

kaval · 07-18-07, 08:24

the same theory holds for side markers and stoo lights. Using them for stop lights is even worse IMO.

You CAN get away with using them for sidemarkers, but make sure you get the wide angle ones. I personally still think they do not belong on the exterior of the car, except for those that are built in to the mirrors.

grease · 07-18-07, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiZ

P.S.: superbrightleds.com is a joke. I bought their white 5-LED 194 bulb to illuminate my hatch's interior area and half of its LEDs died after no more than 20 minutes of total usage time! I know many others who had the same experience.

Funny...I've used the same LEDS now for well over a year and 30k km's. Haven't had any issues yet besides hyperflashing which was remedied pretty easily.

ManiZ · 07-18-07, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by grease

Funny...I've used the same LEDS now for well over a year and 30k km's. Haven't had any issues yet besides hyperflashing which was remedied pretty easily.

Good for you!

I have replaced their 194 bulb 4 times thus far in less than a year. They are known for over-driving their LEDs which kills them prematurely.

grease · 07-18-07, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiZ

Good for you!

I have replaced their 194 bulb 4 times thus far in less than a year. They are known for over-driving their LEDs which kills them prematurely.

I know all about their problems, just stating personal experience. Why replace the same bulb 4 times if its such bad quality? After 2 premature failures, Id be looking at another product.

ManiZ · 07-18-07, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

alright thanks Mani and Kaval for sharing your experiences with them.

Mani-any suggestions on any other sites i can purchase some LEDS then to use for my sidemarkers and stop lamps?im also planning on upgrading my headlamps using the Hella H4 housing conversion.

If 194 bulb is all you need for your sidemarkers (generally the case), PIAA makes a nice one (w/ single LED); you will find it at many online retailers. Even car dealerships and stereo shops sell them.

For brake lights, most definitely DO NOT use LED bulbs; unless you want someone to rear-end you and transfer the blame over to you!

The LED section on hidplanet.com forums is full of very useful info.

ManiZ · 07-18-07, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by grease

I know all about their problems, just stating personal experience. Why replace the same bulb 4 times if its such bad quality? After 2 premature failures, Id be looking at another product.

I had bought 4 to begin with as I wanted to use two in my headlights as well to replace the parking light bulbs so I had them sitting around. After constant failure in the hatch, I just went ahead and did a custom-drilled LED install in the headlights while I had them open for painting the housing smoked gray. They are now my parking lights.

grease · 07-18-07, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiZ

The LED section on hidplanet.com forums is full of very useful info.

They have a great site, lots of info on all types of lighting and projects.