Led tail lights

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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#16 Post by Steve Turino »

I just bought 2 Ruiandsion 1156 BA 15S LED bulbs on Amazon to put in my brake light/ rear turn signal sockets for my 6 volt "61" T-5. I thought it was a cheap possible option. They fit ( correct #1129) but do not light up. Anyone know why they are not working? Sorry, I am electrically challenged.
Steve

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1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#17 Post by Steve Turino »

Also another endorsement for Jules' LED gauge bulbs, big improvement and an easy swap.
1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

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Dave Wildrick
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Re: Led tail lights

#18 Post by Dave Wildrick »

Steve Turino wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:40 am I just bought 2 Ruiandsion 1156 BA 15S LED bulbs on Amazon to put in my brake light/ rear turn signal sockets for my 6 volt "61" T-5. I thought it was a cheap possible option. They fit ( correct #1129) but do not light up. Anyone know why they are not working? Sorry, I am electrically challenged.
Steve

attachment=0]51Gpa5pPvPL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg[/attachment]
When I switched to LED tail lights and brake/signal lights, I had to buy an electronic flasher unit ($32) to get the lights to work. The current draw with LEDs is too low to fire the old fashioned silver cannister type of flasher controller. See: http://www.allzim.com/store/electronic- ... v-356.html
Dave Wildrick
Houston, TX
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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#19 Post by Steve Turino »

Dave
Thanks for the link to Zim's. I'll try one of those flashers.
Steve
1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

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Mark Roth
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Re: Led tail lights

#20 Post by Mark Roth »

Do they light up when you press on the brakes? Separate circuit I believe. I changed to an electronic flasher at the same time so I can’t swear that they are a separate circuit.
Mark Roth
65 C Cab (Black/black)

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David Jones
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Re: Led tail lights

#21 Post by David Jones »

They are on the same circuit as the brake lights and they do need an electronic flasher to to flash but they should light up and stay lit with a thermal flasher as the hot wire does not get hot enough to bend and break the circuit in order to flash. They also do not shine as brightly as the original tungsten filaments but they do use less current. Using an LED on one side and a tungsten filament in the other shows the difference in light output quite clearly.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#22 Post by Steve Turino »

They do not light up with brake pedal or turn signal action, so maybe it's the bulbs not the flasher issue?
1961 T5 Super Coupe
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Wes Bender
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Re: Led tail lights

#23 Post by Wes Bender »

Did you try them with the engine running? Did you measure the voltage in the sockets? You might be dealing with low voltage situation.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

Larry Brooks
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Re: Led tail lights

#24 Post by Larry Brooks »

David Jones wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:12 pm They are on the same circuit as the brake lights and they do need an electronic flasher to to flash but they should light up and stay lit with a thermal flasher as the hot wire does not get hot enough to bend and break the circuit in order to flash. They also do not shine as brightly as the original tungsten filaments but they do use less current. Using an LED on one side and a tungsten filament in the other shows the difference in light output quite clearly.
Not sure what LED's you were testing, but my experience has been exactly the opposite. The Lumen ratings also bear that out: tungsten 6v bulbs are around 400, while the lowest LED rating I've found is 440 with 900 lumen LEDs being common. I just checked and found one that claims 3000 lumen - I might have to try one because that seems crazy high.

My own unscientific test when I installed the red LED under the yellow turn/brake lens was pretty definitive. I changed the right side and then pushed the brake pedal while I looked at my closed garage door in my mirror. I could barely see the yellow brake lights reflection on the door with my side mirror and not with the interior rearview mirror while the red LED lighted the whole door on that side.

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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#25 Post by Steve Turino »

Well the bulbs I bought on Amazon for $10 ( posted above) don't light up with ignition on or car running. My third brake light which is LED works fine as a blinker, (flashes appropriately) and as a brake light. Might have to go CU Layer route but a big price difference.
1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

Jeffrey Leeds
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Re: Led tail lights

#26 Post by Jeffrey Leeds »

CU's are cheap for the piece of mind of having stop lights that actually work. Be sure to install the electronic flasher with the pigtail ground wire as well.
- Jeff
< Jeff >

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Re: Led tail lights

#27 Post by Wes Bender »

"Cheap isn't always the least expensive."
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Jules Dielen
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Re: Led tail lights

#28 Post by Jules Dielen »

"Expensive? - buying something cheap only to find out it does not work and having to redo it all with better parts. That is expensive."
Jules

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Re: Led tail lights

#29 Post by Spike Jones »

Love the CU's! Can actually see people behind me reacting when I hit the brake pedal or turn on a turn signal flasher.
I also put the brake light switch on the brake pedal cluster. Light comes on quicker. Every little bit helps!
Spike Jones
'58 Cab

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Steve Turino
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Re: Led tail lights

#30 Post by Steve Turino »

Sold!!! One set of CU's on the way
1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

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