LED replacement bulbs
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From: Orange County, CA
LED replacement bulbs
Anybody use the l.e.d. bulbs as a replacment for incandescent bulbs? Saw the ones the have at AutoZone that replace a standard 1157. I know l.e.d. are brighter and make less heat, but I've heard sometimes they take a lot of power. Anybody use them, can vouch for how good they are. I don't want to spend $20-25 if they aren't worth it.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
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From: Cloverdale, BC
I was talking to a ? Truck-Lite or Grote ? rep last week. He said that on the packages the 1157 replacement LED's is something along the lines of "OFF ROAD USE ONLY"
His reasoning was that the way the light from an incandescent bulb is diffused through the lens will be different from the diffusement of an LED light. Basically, what he was saying was if someone can't see your brake lights and rear-ends you, YOU are at fault. He also said you could fight it with your insurance company all you want, but it only takes a second to verify. If you can see the brake lights from a certain angle, but not all angles, you have improper or insufficient lighting.
So, basically, if you want LED lights, you should buck up and get the proper matched lenses also.
Hope I didn't kill your mood. Just looking out for your safety.
I also have to agree that LED's use less power than an incandescent, last longer, etc... but to see them properly, well, I already told you about that.
Good luck.
His reasoning was that the way the light from an incandescent bulb is diffused through the lens will be different from the diffusement of an LED light. Basically, what he was saying was if someone can't see your brake lights and rear-ends you, YOU are at fault. He also said you could fight it with your insurance company all you want, but it only takes a second to verify. If you can see the brake lights from a certain angle, but not all angles, you have improper or insufficient lighting.
So, basically, if you want LED lights, you should buck up and get the proper matched lenses also.
Hope I didn't kill your mood. Just looking out for your safety.
I also have to agree that LED's use less power than an incandescent, last longer, etc... but to see them properly, well, I already told you about that.
Good luck.
Last edited by bigrigfixer; May 12, 2004 at 09:21 PM.
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From: Orange County, CA
Thanks guys...I never thought about how the light is diffused from an LED vs the incandescent. I was hoping to put L.E.D.'s in my '70 Mustang, and my dad's '64 Ranchero, but haven't found any kits for them yet...I'll keep looking for the proper kits. thanks again.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Meriden Ct
LEDs use 1/6 to 1/8th the amps of incandesent bulbs. The LED replacement bulbs for the 1157 & 1156 have A problem. The top of the bulb must face the lens or you cant see the LEDs. They dont work in the Super Duty tail lights because they do not light up the side clearence part of the taillight. I have them in my 69 AMX and they work great (seperate side light). Very bright, I get many questions about them. I put them in my truck, and took them right back out. The regular bulb was twice as bright and lit the whole lens up. Truck-lite is reportedly working on A replacement bulb but are having problems getting it to pass the Fed Regs.
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Elder User
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From: Pocahontas, AR
I had LED bulbs in my ranger. They are alot brighter than reg. bulbs. However, if you touch them with your hand, they wont last longer than a month before they are blown out. I had the clear lense on my ranger. The tail lights were just a round red dot, but when i stepped on the brakes then the bulb lit up the entire lense. I dont know how they would be behind a red lense. They are alot more expensive ...... 10 bucks or so each, where as reg. bulbs are 2 bucks or so each.
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From: Orange County, CA
Thanks for the link tdister. Unfortunatly I guess I'll have to wait until they come out with something for the '70 Mustang (different from a '69 Mustang). Or look into fabbing a kit myself for the '70. Bordaine, thanks for mentioning about how the bulb must face the lens itself, or they won't light it very well. I hadn't even thought about that.