For turn signal flasher units, yes, the LED bulbs do not draw enough current for the typical bimetallic flasher to function.

Headlight high/low are two distinct circuits, and the switch simply activates one or the other and therefore the bulb type has no bearing on function.

 

They are 6 volt and I try them high to low and back.

 

Any idea what brand?

 

Just curious how that was determined?

 

Its written on the backside of the bulbs

 

I’m finding that out now for you. I’ll try to get you a link. I know there was some threads on this at the ford barn.

 

col thanks for the clarification !

any ideas how I might get the brake lights converted to led and still have working flashers and turn signals? My problem isn’t ‘seeing’ as much as it is ‘being seen’ .. I’m 6v pos ground too.

 

Apologies if I seemed obtuse! Wish you well on sorting things out before TS!

 

First off, with LEDs, some manufacturers take a shortcut/cost cutting measure and assume negative ground systems (even for 6V bulbs!) and don't include the internal components to be polarity insensitive as the traditional bulbs are. This means they won't work in all the types of circuits the traditional bulbs would.

With the polarity hurdle crossed, one then must address the flashing unit. There are two main approaches:

1. Add resistance - one either adds a resistor pack or an inline traditional bulb to keep the current draw adequate for the traditional flasher unit
2. Solid State Flasher - swaps the traditional flasher for an appropriate solid state flasher unit. Again, consider polarity and voltage here.

Lastly, note just about every LED bulb that replaces a traditional bulb is NOT DOT certified (look for DOT certification - you probably won't find it, instead you'll see the scapegoat "off road use only"). This has the potential to cause issues with any roadworthiness requirements that may be applicable. Here is an example of how Sylvania uses corporate-speak to dance around that issue:


Why is this certification important? The housings are designed against bulb standards, and with LEDs , the light distribution is not at the same focal point or density as the traditional filament and thus results in a housing/bulb combination that is not adequately visible under all conditions, viewing angles, or aimed appropriately and could actually be more dangerous despite seeming "brighter".

For the record, I'm not against LEDs - I just want LEDs to be used appropriately. Unfortunately, it is just to easy too use LEDs incorrectly as most (consumers and off-shore manufacturers) are not aware of, do not understand, or do not respect the optic engineering and testing that goes into automotive illumination.

 

This is really great information thanks! I’m copying and pasting in my notes!

 

Ed, my friend doesn’t have sealed beam so he’s using just the bulbs. They work great for him! But I’m sure the sealed beams are out there as well. He used https://www.ledlight.com

recommended from the V8 Times article recently.

he’s also having troubles with his tail lights working as running lights they don’t work, but do work as brake and turn signals! I’ve heard wacky things about LED lights. But I think with the head lamps you should have enough luck.

 

Interesting, what would happen if the high/low beams are reversed? I think mine are correct, but it does get confusing when wiring it all up.

 

Maybe reversed wasn't the best word choice, but I have run into situations where the wiring was swizzled in such a way where dual filament bulbs like headlights were wired up in such a way where the common was swapped and would illuminate both filaments in series and causing diminished "brightness". That could give the effect of hi/low beams being "reversed" in some permutations.

 

It would be the same as if your tail lights were wired backwards, where the brake filament came on when the tail light circuit was energized, and vice-versa. It's just the wiring that would be backwards and the high element would come on when the low beams were switched on. The lows would come on when you kicked the dimmer to the high side.