anyone using LED bulbs in their tail lights?

[born2drv]

So I was thinking of getting these bulbs:
http://superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm

They're $25 each tho, so 2x1157 for the brake lights and 4x1156 for the reverse and turn signals, and that's $75.

But then I was reading I could run into problems with a fast-blinking turn signal or a "blown bulb" light on the dash since the resistance is different, which means I would have to buy like 3 sets of these load resistors:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LED-...tegoryZ33713QQihZ008QQitemZ180046603778QQrdZ1

So that's another $50 or so...

Just wondering if all that's nessessary. Do I really need to get 3 sets of load resistors to make the LED bulbs work? Anyone try them?

I was thinking to get all clear bulbs since the red diffuser should make the brake lights red, correct?

 

[Finnon]

if your handy with a soldering iron check out www.supradupra.co.uk as he has fitted led lights all round

 

[Finnon]

sorry www.supradupra.com

 

[Finnon]

weird the link doesnt work but if i type it into the address bar it pops up. oh well

 

[CRE]

sorry www.supradupra.com

Okay, now that's just creepy....


As for the LED lamps, I'm usually not impressed by their emissive capabilities... If I convert over to LEDs I'm building a couple panels to fill the taillight housings.

If you're set on the bulbs, you might want to just get one to start with ans see if it's anything like what you're hoping for.

 

[Finnon]

Okay, now that's just creepy....

lol whats creepy?

 

[starscream5000]

sorry www.supradupra.com

That's gotta be the most pimped out interior on a supra that I've ever seen. It's almost too much though, very very creative and a lot of money dumped into it though...

I run LEDS on my 3G, all exterior lights are LED except the headlights. If you do not wire up resistors or capacitors, or whatever they're called the turnsignals will blink fast.... Mine do .

 

[Finnon]

yer its mad as out that car like. some neet touches though if you have a look right through the site

 

[HIDPLANET]

If you want LED's like the factory cars have, you must build your own cluster/board and use supeerfluz LED's. The plug in ones stink and arent worth 2 cents. They arent bright and are dangerous to drive with.

 

[donnys90T]

One word: Luxeon

 

[HIDPLANET]

Luxeon would be the brightest solution, but you have heat and cooling concerns at that point.

 

[donnys90T]

Nah, less heat overall than incandescents. Just resistor the luxes down to the brightness needed. What little heat there is handled by mounting on a small piece of alumimum using a decent compound like Arctic Silver. That setup has worked on one of my cars for years. Luxes on the brakes too. Not on my Supra though, not worth the cost or effort.

 

[annoyingrob]

I changed my rear turn signals in my 91 to LEDs. I cut a board to fit in the space, took out the old bulb and reflector, and put the board in with a whole bunch of LEDs. I wired up orange, and red LEDs into the board. The orange are for the signals, and the red are for the brake lights. That way, when you hit the brakes, the turn signals also light up red. It looks really cool when you're on the brakes with the signals going. It flashes orange-red-orange-red.

I also wired the old bulb (hanging off the back of the cluster) as a ballast so that the lights don't flash super fast. Alternatively, there are flashers designed for LEDs that will also work.

 

[born2drv]

ya i was thinking to get those 3W Luxeon ones I linked to in my first post.... i know those are the brightest ones on market now... didn't really think about heat, i can see where that would be a problem although our tail light lenses are fairly large and should have enough airspace i would think to prevent them from overheating.

i guess i'll just get regular bulbs