Light Bulbs and the light produced.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,119
Likes: 672
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Light Bulbs and the light produced.
Why do so many companies tout the benefits of LED lights? I swapped out the backup bulbs 3157's with a set of 3157-24 LED diodes and they are brighter, but once they go into the light socket it's no more brighter than the stock bulb? I bought a set of PIAA 3157 super whites, and they sure as hell are bright and it's a brightness that's casting far behind the car, but they burn so hot I was afraid of the housing melting. In the end I but a new set of the stock Sylvania 3157's in the backup lights. So I blew the $29.00 for the PIAA bulbs but I can't understand all the hype over LED's.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
When you first turn the brake lights on the LED will be faster, extra safety margin I suppose. It's clearly visible to the naked eye. I watched a test with the high mounted centre that was LED versus incandescent tailights. For the first brake press LED was faster but once the filament of the incandescent was hot it was just as fast.
LED's will also use less electricity. Not as much as many companies would like you to believe. I've spent considerable time looking at LED lighting for industrial use and the savings does not make up for the increased hardware cost.
LED's will also use less electricity. Not as much as many companies would like you to believe. I've spent considerable time looking at LED lighting for industrial use and the savings does not make up for the increased hardware cost.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
From: Around FL
Replacing your vehicles light bulbs with LED lights takes considerable research to get right. You can't just throw in an LED "bulb" with LEDs all the way around it and expect it to work as well. LEDs have a lot of downsides and getting a good output requires carefully selecting the right LED for the application.
Then, when it is all said and done, it's honestly just a cosmetic upgrade. LEDs are not for everyone, but they give the car a more "updated" look if done right.
Then, when it is all said and done, it's honestly just a cosmetic upgrade. LEDs are not for everyone, but they give the car a more "updated" look if done right.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,119
Likes: 672
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Lighting ?
When you first turn the brake lights on the LED will be faster, extra safety margin I suppose. It's clearly visible to the naked eye. I watched a test with the high mounted centre that was LED versus incandescent tailights. For the first brake press LED was faster but once the filament of the incandescent was hot it was just as fast.
LED's will also use less electricity. Not as much as many companies would like you to believe. I've spent considerable time looking at LED lighting for industrial use and the savings does not make up for the increased hardware cost.
LED's will also use less electricity. Not as much as many companies would like you to believe. I've spent considerable time looking at LED lighting for industrial use and the savings does not make up for the increased hardware cost.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
All my lenses are tinted, so I needed brighter bulbs. I replaced the OEM bulbs with LEDs. The new bulbs are much brighter than the OEMs, especially the reverse lights. LEDs run cooler and last longer. Wasn't even a question for me. Maybe you bought the wrong LEDs. Some lower-powered ones are not very bright.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I'm on my 3rd set of corner lenses because of heat cracking and discoloration due to the hot bulbs over a long time in service. LEDs in the front corners are the only way to go to eliminate this minor gremlin, and cost effective in this case.
