By popular demand - tail light rebuild/LED conversion

[acapella8]

Thanks for the great detailed thread.

Wondering best vendor to source POR-20 aluminum satin paint . . . .

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

How would you get current leakage with the switch being off? Sounds like a bad switch maybe? Interesting, but I'd suspect any issue like that would be indicative of other problems.

I contacted one LED manufacturer and they stated some older cars will leak current which will be picked up by the LEDs and they recommended a Load Equalizer to absorb the leak but it would act like a standard DOT light in efficiency. They could not give an opinion if the 3 or 5 Watt LEDs will make a difference. I just did not want to drop another $60+ to see if it is the case.

Please keep us posted on the 5 Watt LEDs when running during the day with lights off. I hope you are succesfull

Funny thing is that I have installed a LED third Brake Light and it does not glow. Apparently the DOT combo absorbs the leak and does not effect the Third Light LED.

BTW, I pasted aluminum foil where the reflective material has flaked off in the brake light and it worked great.

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey POP,

Any updates on the LED, specifically the low glow of the LEDs when the lights are off with car on?

[moneymanager]

Just noticed, shouldn't the amber turn signal bulb above be an 1156, not two filament 1157?

[nyne11]

subd

[moneymanager]

Inspired by Jeff"s thread here, I got two of Super Brights 5 watt LED bulbs for my 74's taillights. I'm happy to report that, in addition to their many other advantages, they are (I'd estimate) about 20% brighter than the traditional two filament bulbs and, just as important, the directional coverage seems excellent. This is indeed an improvement in visibility. On the Super Bright site, the bulbs are the 1157 RLX-5's. The R means red, which is essential if you want to get the expected brightness.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by moneymanager

Inspired by Jeff"s thread here, I got two of Super Brights 5 watt LED bulbs for my 74's taillights. I'm happy to report that, in addition to their many other advantages, they are (I'd estimate) about 20% brighter than the traditional two filament bulbs and, just as important, the directional coverage seems excellent. This is indeed an improvement in visibility. On the Super Bright site, the bulbs are the 1157 RLX-5's. The R means red, which is essential if you want to get the expected brightness.

That's Great!

Now did you confirm if the rear lights remained off when you turned the lights off and car on?

My LEDs glowed when she was on and lights off.

Please advise,

[MIK911]

Awesome write up POP!! Be sure to post some pics on car.

Anyone replace 3rd brake light (high mounted inside rear window, on '86) with LED? What LED cluster would work best here?

thanks

[moneymanager]

I have no lights on with switch off.
There is a Pelican thread on doing an LED third brake light. BUt everyone (except me I guess) has missed the easy and sensible solution...the Hella aftermarket LED third brake unit available from daniel stern lighting. $50, very bright, looks like it belongs on the car, in contrast to some of the kluged together set ups on the thread. Take a look.

[84_Carrera]

$.02 from a guy who did the superbrightleds.com bulbs for his Taurus SHO years ago, including the resitors to compensate so you don't get the lamp out lights on the newer cars...

The lights (when I got them, about 2 years ago) looked great on the bench. However, in the light / twilight out on the road, I had many people tell me they couldn't see my brake lights. I tried the white bulbs behind the red, then the red bulbs behind the red... no real change.

Thought I'd share. Incidentally, yours do look great, hope they work out for you, but watch the rear-view, just in case...

[moneymanager]

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open. My impression is that the LED units are improving all the time. In particular, many of the newer units are visible in a 200° arc, not typical just a couple of years ago when there were many complaints that if you got off axis the lights were invisible. Unless these new bulbs deteriorate rapidly or something else untoward happens, they are looking very good. They are brighter than stock and they show very good visibility well to the side of the car (ie off axis.)

[DRACO A5OG]

[QUOTE=moneymanager;3977726]I have no lights on with switch off.
QUOTE]

Great, looks like I am pulling the trigger on those 3-5 watt babys

[johncmng]

Subbing

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by 84_Carrera

$.02 from a guy who did the superbrightleds.com bulbs for his Taurus SHO years ago, including the resitors to compensate so you don't get the lamp out lights on the newer cars...

The lights (when I got them, about 2 years ago) looked great on the bench. However, in the light / twilight out on the road, I had many people tell me they couldn't see my brake lights. I tried the white bulbs behind the red, then the red bulbs behind the red... no real change.

Thought I'd share. Incidentally, yours do look great, hope they work out for you, but watch the rear-view, just in case...

Fred - not the case these days - My LED's are brighter than stock bulbs -

[mgbruno]

Subscribed! Great thread. Will tackle this in the future!

Mike

[DRACO A5OG]

Well Gentlemen,

It is an Afirmative!

The RED 5 Watt Luxeon LED Brake Lights (1157-RLX5) worked.

Much brighter than OEM or the other LEDs and the angle of view is perfect.

Apparently the 5 Watt LED draw a bit more current which absorbs any bleeding of OEM current. When the ignition is turned to the on position, no glow to report.

Thanks again POP and MoneyManager for confirming that lights don't bleed.

Again, Wow So Bright! It kind of burned my eyes.

[moneymanager]

Glad they worked out Draco...your experience is exactly like mine. These LEDs, plus my socket repairs and some other refinements have given me the best rear lighting I've had in years!

[DRACO A5OG]

Here are some pics from my cell:


Brakes OFF

Brakes ON

Unlike the standard LEDs, it completely fills the brake light housing with light. ( see post 34, sorry JeremyD )

BTW, the Luxeons are brighter than the third LED light as well.

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Here are some pics from my cell:


Brakes OFF

Brakes ON

Unlike the standard LEDs, it completely fills the brake light housing with light. ( see post 34, sorry JeremyD )

BTW, the Luxeons are brighter than the third LED light as well.

No problem - mine was in direct florida sunlight - they look very similiar to yours under cover - filling out the entire brake light.

[DRACO A5OG]

Strange, I wonder why your first pic has that distinct LED outline??? Are you using the Luxeon 5 Watt as well?