Upgrade to LED Turn Signals

[soneil422]

I am trying to replace the bulbs on the rear of my coach with LED's. The tail/brake lights are easy. They can be swapped to a Bargman LED.

Unless someone has a better product that should be used with the brake/tail position. (instead of the LED Bargman)

Here is the biggest issue. What do I replace the turn signals with?

Thanks Scott

[stink]

Any convenient truck center, parts store will have those in led. Lots of other choices also

[tderonne]

Those look like Hella 4169 series lights. Looks like Hella makes a red and white LED 4169s, but no amber.

Yes, close in diameter to standard truck lights (Hella calls them 125mm). That may be the way to go.

[BFlinn181]

Make sure you match the LED color with the lens color. Using white LEDs behind a yellow or red lens will actually reduce the light output. Also if you're replacing the bulbs in front also you might have to get new flashers. The LEDs use so much less electricity the flasher might cycle incorrectly. Auto parts stores can set you up with one that will work.

[hdzcar]

Like what BFLinn181 said about changing out the flasher relay. I had to put in a load resister on each blinker I changed to LED or they would not blink. Very easy to do.

[98FPA]

As hdzcar mentioned, you will need a resistor to put on each blinker (front/rear, left/right). Parts houses have them. Kind of PITA to get hooked up properly but when you get them done correctly they are nice replacements. Just replacing the turn signal bulb with a LED will not work.

[tunafish]

I'd have to ask why are you doing this? The brakes, etc. only work when the engine is running and charging your batteries, so you don't need to save power by switching to LEDs. Why bother?

[Sky_Boss]

A few thoughts or questions to toss out.

Will CANBUS tail lights work without a load resistor? It sounds like this could be trial and error but perhaps something like this might work out for a clean replacement.

Single Intensity
Dual Intensity

If those did work it would seem cleaner and maybe cheaper than also installing load resistors.

Some interesting reading I found after reading this thread.

I'm looking at replacing my Hella Tail Lights but also considering the LED light replacements all around the coach like side markers. Investing thread.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by tunafish

I'd have to ask why are you doing this? The brakes, etc. only work when the engine is running and charging your batteries, so you don't need to save power by switching to LEDs. Why bother?

See...the thread is already gotten me to ask myself why?

From the Super Bright LED site:

Standard LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs (longer life, faster on/off times, lower power consumption, more vivid colors) but brightness is not one of them. They are generally not as bright but some of them with large numbers of LEDs, will appear brighter than filament bulbs. As an exception, our High Power LED car bulbs are as bright or brighter than most standard filament car bulbs. The light is distributed differently so they can appear brighter in some applications and not as bright in others, it depends on the size and shape of the bulb housing and reflector.

Most LED bulbs emit light like a flashlight, all out the end. Regular filament bulbs emit light from the end and all sides, so they will be better suited for some lighting applications than LED bulbs. This is the same reason why we do not rate LED car bulbs in lumens or watts, the numbers would be deceptively low because the light is measured from all sides and the end on standard filament bulbs but only from the end on LED bulbs.

I'm gonna have to ask myself "why" more closely. THANKS for tossing that out.

[smlranger]

I was considering the same upgrade and actually did replace all the tail, turn and running light assemblies on my previous coach with LED lights from a place that sold bus parts.

However, other than the 'cool' factor, I just can't justify the trouble/expense to do it on this coach. I have done the complete LED upgrade on the interior and that was to eliminate the hot little halogen bulbs.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by smlranger

I was considering the same upgrade and actually did replace all the tail, turn and running light assemblies on my previous coach with LED lights from a place that sold bus parts.

However, other than the 'cool' factor, I just can't justify the trouble/expense to do it on this coach. I have done the complete LED upgrade on the interior and that was to eliminate the hot little halogen bulbs.

I think that is the difference. Almost everyone agrees that interior LED swap outs have a direct impact on tangible improvements. The impacts range from getting rid of HOT halogen lights to reducing current draw for boon docking needs.

I'm looking to replace my tail lens parts because they are really in bad shape and if I can't clean them up then tossing them. That lead me to thinking about the LED swap out for the tail lights. Now that I have been challenged, I don't think that would be a wise use of $$$.

[msturtz]

Actually, power usage is power usage. LEDs use less power and that power has to come from somewhere. In this case it comes from the alternator which produces drag on the engine. LEDs last longer as well since there is no filament to burn out. Turn signals are not as big of a deal however LEDs also turn on "faster" than filament bulbs so it can be a slight safety advantage.

[dezolen]

Damb bulbs cost 10x more, they don't burn hot enough to displace any moisture in lense, I curse led bulbs as all my clearance lights are full of moisture, christmas light strings have lasted a year or 2. Another scam to think we are saving energy. IMHO

[spritz]

They are alot brighter for sure. I am planing on replacing my marker lights with new 5 led marker lights.
I saw a guy that had his tear drop markers changed over on his Airstream and a huge difference. BRITE looked really nice. Not sure if you have ever noticed how brite they are on your Stop lamps and Turns. But I have. Brite
JMO, Tim