Replacing stock lights with LEDs
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Replacing stock lights with LEDs
I've been replacing the stock incandescent bulbs (other than the headlights) in my 2005 Escape with LED bulbs on the promise of being a lot brighter, but this is not proving to be true. Any recommendations or ideas before I spend a small fortune trying to find brighter bulbs? Or should I just replace the stock bulbs and leave it alone?
I also find that the LED front turn/side bulbs (3157 amber) flicker at a faster rate than the incandescents. Is this a potential problem? Almost all the bulbs are wedge type.
I also find that the LED front turn/side bulbs (3157 amber) flicker at a faster rate than the incandescents. Is this a potential problem? Almost all the bulbs are wedge type.
More Turbo
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From: Alexandria, KY USA
The reason you 3157 LEDs flash faster is because there is less resistance on the flasher. I might be able to find a lighter duty flasher which would take care of this, but it shouldn't cause any problems other than that agrivating rapid click when your turn signals are on.
Bluehawk
Bluehawk
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Thanks, I figured it was something like that. It doesn't really bother me, and since I may just put the stock bulb back in....we'll see. If you know of any brands of LEDs that are definitely brighter than stock incandescents, let me know.
Lead Driver
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
There is a DOT wattage limit on how bright they can be. The problem is at night some of those things can be blinding. The amber turn signals on the back of my '92 E150 could be seen for almost 2 miles with just stock bulbs.
Posting Guru
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Because so much of the light from a conventional bulb is collected and reflected by the surround, just replacing the bulb with an LED (which is more directional) seldom works. You usually need a fixture that is designed for LEDs.
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A Guy in our office tricked out his 04 150 w/ LED's. All the brake, interior, back-up & turns are now LED.. He had to install load resistors with the turn signals, but all the lights are brighter than factory.. One exception are the interior lights which seem dimmer, but are now red & blue..
Russ
Russ
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LED's
SeaMonkey,
The site is http://www.superbrightleds.com. If your bulbs are the wedge type you will use the 3156 and 3157 series modules. For the combination marker/tail and turn signal lights you will need the dual contact variety. As for the interior, third brake light, cargo light (if equipped), they are smaller than then other exterior lights. Those take the 7440 or 7443 series. Also, the LED's do provide a lower impedence to the flasher relay so they will blink a much faster rate. You will need to also purchase the RL-650 load resistors to combat that issue. You will need one resistor for each bulb that flashes. They come with installation instructions that are very easy to follow. Their customer support is outstanding so if you order the wrong bulb you can return it.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Eric
The site is http://www.superbrightleds.com. If your bulbs are the wedge type you will use the 3156 and 3157 series modules. For the combination marker/tail and turn signal lights you will need the dual contact variety. As for the interior, third brake light, cargo light (if equipped), they are smaller than then other exterior lights. Those take the 7440 or 7443 series. Also, the LED's do provide a lower impedence to the flasher relay so they will blink a much faster rate. You will need to also purchase the RL-650 load resistors to combat that issue. You will need one resistor for each bulb that flashes. They come with installation instructions that are very easy to follow. Their customer support is outstanding so if you order the wrong bulb you can return it.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Eric
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From: North Carolina
I have a 1966 Ford F-100 truck and wan't to change the tail lights to the led ones. Any idea where I can get these at too guys? My original tail lights are faded and cracked, etc.
Thanks for any help on this too.
Shawn-
Thanks for any help on this too.
Shawn-
Last edited by SMF Speed&Custom; Apr 12, 2005 at 12:10 AM.
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Late model Ford vehicles use electronic flasher modules and are not replaceable they automaticly adjust for electrical load such as added lamps like trailer lights, exc, but like it was said earlier if you want to slow the duty cycle down you would have to install resisters of different values to bring the resistants back to OEM