Interior LEDs... Any drawbacks?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Interior LEDs... Any drawbacks?
Just saw a post about someone using a resistor so his LED map lights would turn completely off. I had assumed LED interior bulbs would work pretty much like the bulbs they were replacing... Power gets applied and LEDs power on. Power goes away and LED turns off. They're supposed to consume less power and run cooler.
So what's the deal? Are there any downsides? Will I have to worry about lights not turning off? Battery going dead due to current draw? What am I missing?
So what's the deal? Are there any downsides? Will I have to worry about lights not turning off? Battery going dead due to current draw? What am I missing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Do a search under my username re: leds and you will see how to fix them if they stay on dim after turning off the interior lights. The fix is easy and they are a much needed improvement over the regular bulbs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 51
From: South Carolina
Call me crazy but I think that problem is model year dependent (even sub model year really).
My '08 has the orange cockpit light....my LED map lights turn off completely. My ex GF had a later build '08 that did not have the cockpit light. Hers would remain dimly illuminated.
My '08 has the orange cockpit light....my LED map lights turn off completely. My ex GF had a later build '08 that did not have the cockpit light. Hers would remain dimly illuminated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 11
From: Beverly Hills, MI
I have white LEDS through my entire interior. Footwells, vanity mirrors. map lights, glove box, rear hatch. The map lights glow ever so dimly. They draw just about nothing when they glow dimly (you have to look close at night to see it). The current draw is next to nothing. I sometimes let my Vette sit for weeks between drives and I have never had a battery go dead. When it gets to the point that batteries are drained by a dimly glowing LED, I need to live on another planet bacause it would take changes in the basic laws of physics and electricity to cause it to drain the battery. The current draw is so low that it would take months/years to drain a car battery due to the load.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
I have them throughout the car and all work like they should including the map lights going completely off when they are supposed to. Makes me wonder whether it's the quality of the bulbs that make the difference. Agree with smurfkiller, these should have been factory installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1,187
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
I purchased a 13 LED kit from a Forum vendor and they work great in my 08. Only problem was that the LEDs did not fit in the front side markers unless I grind the plastic. Not willing to do that so left the regular bulbs there.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I have white LEDS through my entire interior. Footwells, vanity mirrors. map lights, glove box, rear hatch. The map lights glow ever so dimly. They draw just about nothing when they glow dimly (you have to look close at night to see it). The current draw is next to nothing. I sometimes let my Vette sit for weeks between drives and I have never had a battery go dead. When it gets to the point that batteries are drained by a dimly glowing LED, I need to live on another planet bacause it would take changes in the basic laws of physics and electricity to cause it to drain the battery. The current draw is so low that it would take months/years to drain a car battery due to the load.
I don't worry about it because I use a CTEK 3300 battery tender whenever I know I won't be driving the Vette for a few days.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Thanks guys. From the previous posts, I'm still a bit confused. I know there won't be enough draw from the dimly lit LED to cause any problems. I'm more concerned with the possibility that the BCM isn't shutting things down completely because of the LEDs... which could lead to battery drain issues. Any definitive conclusions on that issue?
I'm wondering if the orange "mood" light is on the same circuit, and if it has enough draw to allow the BCM to shut down?
I'm wondering if the orange "mood" light is on the same circuit, and if it has enough draw to allow the BCM to shut down?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
As noted some C6s have the mirror led that stays on with the led swap. There are no battery issues associated with it. They use very little power.
It has nothing to do with the quality of leds. We offer the highest quality available for the C6s. Some experience it but most don't.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...available.html
It has nothing to do with the quality of leds. We offer the highest quality available for the C6s. Some experience it but most don't.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...available.html
