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LED reverse lights

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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 03:04 PM
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LED reverse lights

As I mentioned in another thread I am in the process of "ledifying" my car, ie. replacing all exterior halogen lights with LED.s

With a facelifted car equipped with ILS this is not much, just the rear brake lights, rear reverse lights and front head lamp cornering lights.

Had a bit of problems with the H7 front cornering lights but I will try out a new bulb soon.

Here is my new LED reverse lights, bright as f_ck


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The lights I used:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181134312237...84.m1497.l2648
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 03:24 PM
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Based on you recommendation, I bought a pair as my current LEDs are quite white, but not as bright as I wish. They don't seem to have many left in current stock. I'll report back in a few weeks (long shipping time projected....I guess by boat?)
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 04:15 PM
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Got mine in a week, air freight.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 05:57 PM
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This reminds me of the GMC/ Cadillac reverse lights. Is the output similar?
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by vic viper
Got mine in a week, air freight.
So Vic, These are just plug and play and won't show any errors?
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:38 PM
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It lists as error free for canbus systems so it shouldn't give you any warning lights. However, I have canbus specific LED bulbs also and occasionally I get error messages.
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 02:30 AM
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Yes, plug and play, no errors, however the two H7 LED bulbs i tried for my cornering lights were also listed as error free, but none of them worked.

I have a different set of BA15S for the brake lights on order as well, will let you know how they work when they arrive.
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 02:34 AM
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Originally Posted by joespeed29
This reminds me of the GMC/ Cadillac reverse lights. Is the output similar?

Havn´t seen them, those cars are pretty rare over here

Actually got the idea when looking at a new A-Class at work, they have stock LED reverse lights.
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Old Sep 9, 2013 | 03:19 PM
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The LEDs arrived today and I put them in immediately. No error messages. Can't quite tell absolute night time effect, but when I had one side done, the left to right difference was huge vs. the LEDs I had previously. Will report again after a night time tryout.
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 01:12 AM
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Great to hear, I have ordered 4 more for use as brake lights, will report back.
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by vic viper
Great to hear, I have ordered 4 more for use as brake lights, will report back.
Do they come in red color or will you rely on the red lens color over a white LED?
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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Ordered white, its a bit of a gamble, but red usually isnt available with the same bright intensity as these white ones.
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 09:36 PM
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I would be careful of using LED bulbs in such an important location. I tried them once with my WRX and during the day they weren't as bright as halogen bulbs. Plus Halogen bulbs give a 360 array of light where LED's are directional so that will affect the output. It also depend on the LED bulb design, I would get ones that focus more on giving light all around as opposed to direct/rear focused ones like the ones you use for your reverse lights.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 01:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Knightmare69
I would be careful of using LED bulbs in such an important location. I tried them once with my WRX and during the day they weren't as bright as halogen bulbs. Plus Halogen bulbs give a 360 array of light where LED's are directional so that will affect the output. It also depend on the LED bulb design, I would get ones that focus more on giving light all around as opposed to direct/rear focused ones like the ones you use for your reverse lights.

If you look at the lamp you will see 5050 SMD.s at the base of the bulb spreading light onto the reflector as well, these bulbs are much brighter than the stock 21W glow light bulb and I am very pleased with output and spread.
You havn´t tried the bulb I am using so I dont know why you are so concerned?
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 03:33 AM
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Havnt got any errors at all with these bulbs
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 05:10 AM
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Originally Posted by vic viper
If you look at the lamp you will see 5050 SMD.s at the base of the bulb spreading light onto the reflector as well, these bulbs are much brighter than the stock 21W glow light bulb and I am very pleased with output and spread.
You havn´t tried the bulb I am using so I dont know why you are so concerned?
Actually I have which is why I mentioned it. And I'm concerned because it's a potential safety issue not just for you but for other people on the road. However with that kind of attitude I fail to see why I bothered in the first place.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 05:16 AM
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Well I fail to see the problem when they according to me are a lot safer as they are at least 25% more visible than the yellowish glow bulb light.

In particular the light output from straight behind the car is highly improved.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 07:36 AM
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I could pass you information about why there's a potential issue especially during the day but you seem to have your mind set on this without thoroughly understanding how LED's and tail lamps/reflectors work. For your sake and those driving behind you I hope this works out as well as you say it will. I just know from personal experience that it's not as simple as plugging in a LED bulb, even one with the projector as I've experimented with that before. Good luck.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 02:21 PM
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Ok, so you have come to this conclusion by trying out the lamps on a WRX, a completely different car, and reflector housing?

I made this simple comparison tonight, I fitted a stock, brand new 21W bulb in the right reflector.

Comparison:

screen shot download

Left side wall and ground reflection, see the strong output?

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Right side glow bulb reflection, almost the exact same light shapes on wall and ground but a lot weaker and diffuse

image upload

Yes Knightmare69, I already have my mind set, these LED.s will not cause any increased hazards in traffic.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 02:39 PM
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Vic,
Does the brightness of the LED wash out the redness of the brake/tail lamp or amberness of the turn signal into a whiter appearance? I know this is great for a white backup, but it's hard in a photo to assess this question about color. This was the reason I asked if the LEDs came in color. My current LEDs from AZNOptics actually illuminate in red and amber. Thanks!
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 02:46 PM
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They do actually, I have fitted a number of different LED bulbs on my wifes W203 and using red lights as rear lighting works best, however the difference is very small, but I am something of a perfectionist

I have no idea how these LED.s will look like as brake lights, but if I dont like it I will just switch back and sell them.

Then again I could always use my backup LED.s and try them in the brake lights..
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by vic viper
Ok, so you have come to this conclusion by trying out the lamps on a WRX, a completely different car, and reflector housing?

Yes Knightmare69, I already have my mind set, these LED.s will not cause any increased hazards in traffic.
No, I tried them in my 2010 W204 as well, I'm glad it worked out for you. Still, your attitude leaves something to be desired. And again, I was speaking mainly about use during the daytime which you either seem to miss or ignore.
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 12:08 AM
  #23  
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Then why don't you explain to me why daytime driving should be any different?
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 06:42 AM
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Still on this? You already said you're set on this and I have moved on. Nice car btw if I never told you.
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Old May 26, 2023 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Knightmare69
I would be careful of using LED bulbs in such an important location. I tried them once with my WRX and during the day they weren't as bright as halogen bulbs. Plus Halogen bulbs give a 360 array of light where LED's are directional so that will affect the output. It also depend on the LED bulb design, I would get ones that focus more on giving light all around as opposed to direct/rear focused ones like the ones you use for your reverse lights.
I just replaced the reverse lights and the brakes lights in my 2013 C250 Lux with these bulbs. The design diffuses the light to reduce glare and prevent that pinpoint bright spot. The backup light is certainly brighter than the halogen bulb. Brakes may not be much brighter, but I think there are still advantages to having an LED in there. These bulbs do not invoke the 'check light' error. I tried a red LED marketed specifically for brake lights but it threw the error - I don't think they drew enough power for the car to register. FWIW, I see no difference between the white LED and red LED behind the red brake light lens.

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