Switching Over To L.E.D Tail/Turn Lights

[LeeB]

Has anyone done this? I am thinking about switching my tail lights on my 2011 Colorado and on my Motor Home...

Anyone done this and how? Are you happy with the results?

Thanks Lee

[Mike Canter]

I tried it but I ended up going back to the regular bulbs. I tried three different style LED bulbs but my original conventional bulbs were always brighter. Maybe it was just my style of rear lights. I tried LED bulbs with as many LEDs on them as possible but no go. I did switch my clearance lights to LED. One other problem is that if you switch the turn indicators to LED thenthey may flash real fast unless you install the resister to put more load on the flasher.

[wa8yxm]

A lot depends on the tail lights, both the ones you have and the ones you buy.

Mine has those what 3 or 4" sealed "Hockey puck" lights (Froget the brand name) and replacing them with LED's was super easy, just pop 'em out of the rubber grommet and pop the new ones in.. The new ones I'm very happy with.

Some designs... Do not lend themselves well to LEDs but ... Again the LED is important.. I have some hear advertised as "high brightness" that are quite dim. and some not so advertised that are quite bright. The sealed hockey pucks I bought were Barjan brand.. They So are the ones that are trully bright. Any truck stop.

[mr300ce]

I am only going to use them on inside lights, so save on battery when I dry camp. Just ordered some from e-bay. Not on running, brake, or signals. Why ?? Because I've seen operational problems when it is done on many vehicles.
As described above, resistance values are different, and then they don't allow the systems to function correctly.

[George Schweikle]

LeeB,

I did this on my '99 Safari TREK, and a Featherlite open car trailer. The trailer lights, especially, were dim and needed help since a tall cargo box obscures the motorhome tail lights. The results were MUCH brighter, and also safer. There is a lower cost alternative where someone has posted about adding Reylolds wrap aluminum foil behind the tail light bulb for better reflectivity, but I am really satisfied with the LED lights. Also, I didn't have any problems with the turn signal flasher.

I didn't save the website where I bought the bulbs. MH lights are Bargman, and I bought OEM LED trailer lights from Featherlite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeB Has anyone done this? I am thinking about switching my tail lights on my 2011 Colorado and on my Motor Home... Anyone done this and how? Are you happy with the results? Thanks Lee

[Mike Canter]

Again, we are talking about two different kinds of LED light conversions. Just so everyone understands. There are premade complete taillight assemblies made by companies like Bargman that you just take off the old light assemble and replace it with the new LED light assemble. These types of replacements work very well because the reflectors and lenses are engineered to compliment the LED lights inside. This is a great way to do it.

The conversions that don't seem to work well are the ones where you can't get the whole light assemble and have to just replace the bulb inside. I tried numerous brands and configurations of these LED replacement bulbs and my original light bulbs were far brighter. You can buy the same $30 LED bulb offered by some companies for $8-10 on the web. They are all made in China and are all the same.

[stuhly]

Several years ago I had two semi trailers built that LED tail light assemblys. Over time individual segments that are not replacable started going out. When I had to replace the units you would not believe the price. Never again.

[Rocky Larson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter I tried it but I ended up going back to the regular bulbs. I tried three different style LED bulbs but my original conventional bulbs were always brighter. Maybe it was just my style of rear lights. I tried LED bulbs with as many LEDs on them as possible but no go. I did switch my clearance lights to LED. One other problem is that if you switch the turn indicators to LED thenthey may flash real fast unless you install the resister to put more load on the flasher.

Same here. Had a hard time talking myself out of a ticket in Port Saint Lucie. Officer said my lights were too dim and couldn't be seen from the side. Also top center stop light didn't fill the lense completely. Fortunately I had OEM bulbs with me and changed them out on the spot.

[Fred Cooper]

I've been using two replacement 1157 bulbs from superbrightleds that really are much brighter than the standard bulbs. Their description of the product is
1157-x3X1W: 3 x 1.3 Watt High Power LED BAY15D Bulb

I had tried several other led bulb replacements that were too dim. The only downside to the LED described above is the price, which is $16.95 for each bulb.

Fred

[bluepill]

Changing over doesn't make much sense to me, since the main purpose of an LED is less energy use and running cooler. Not an issue on external lights, since the engine will be running.

Inside, however, they are great for the lamps that are kept on a lot.

[Midniteoyl]

Not all LEDS are the same.. the 2 main high quality makers are Luxeon and Cree.. with Edison Opto now coming to the table. The 'high priced' LEDs usually use one of these... The $5 ones use a chinese knockoff that is not near as bright nor last as long.

Comparison: Edixeon Federal vs. Luxeon Rebel vs. Cree XP-E LEDs | LEDs Review