Not all LED bulbs are brighter!

[alan_thomas]

I had seen a couple of members cars where the front and rear sidelights had been replaced by LED bulbs and were giving considerably more light output with significantly less current draw. I fitted LED bulbs to the front side lamps and these were subjectively much brighter.
However i replaced the rear stop/tail bulbs with the type 1 in the pics below because I thought they may give a more diffused light than the other LED type 2 below and far from being brighter they actually look dimmer than the original bulbs. The listing on Ebay was 21/5W but this must be a "similar to" as a 5W LED would be much brighter than a 5W filament bulb, I have never seen an actual light output figure in lumens.
They were as cheap as chips in fact cheaper than the chips in out local chippy so no great loss but I would like to up the power of the rear lamps to something like those on modern cars.

Anyone any particular recommendations of Stop/Tail LED bulbs they know are brighter than standard? - Alan

type1.JPGtype2.JPG

LED is Right side, Original bulb Left side and no, my number plate lights have not failed, the boot lid is open.

Rear.JPG

[Greengiant]

I have not used their exterior LEDs yet, but I have the dashboard ones and they are great. Maybe worth having a chat with them.

ClassiccarLEDs

Martin

[PJB]

Classic car LEDS and better car lighting - quality product and service both.

[Alacrity]

I have them in mine - type two style - & they are way better than std bulbs. Remember to make sure you buy red bulbs for stop tail - if you use White your rear lights will be pink., Same goes for the indicators, which I also have.

[Phil S]

tried cheaper led's wasted money.
got mine from "better car lighting"
no connection just very pleased, while car is now led including headlights from above. give Gil a ring and he can advise

[DJT]

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/brake-tail-light-bulbs/products/2-x-bay15d-red-stop-tail-led-2835-brake-rear-light-glb380-p21-5w

Tail lights:

IMG_6928.JPG

Stop lights (including the 2-colour white/red bulbs in the reversing light positions - https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/col...380-llb380-380)
IMG_7486.JPG

[SteveD]

Another thumbs up for Classiccarleds. I wired mine using the Grampian Stags details and they worked well.

[alan_thomas]

Thanks everyone. That looks the business, I assume you replaced the reverse lamp holders with a 'Stop/tail' types and daisy chained the existing stop light wiring? - Alan

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/col...-glb380-p21-5w

Tail lights:

IMG_6928.JPG

Stop lights (including the 2-colour white/red bulbs in the reversing light positions - https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/col...380-llb380-380)
IMG_7486.JPG

[Phil S]

if you want the reverse to be stop fog and reverse you need to use diodes to prevent cross feeds, the 2 firm's listed can supply the lamps and wireing to do this

[DJT]

if you want the reverse to be stop fog and reverse you need to use diodes to prevent cross feeds, the 2 firm's listed can supply the lamps and wireing to do this

No you don’t. Just replace the reverse light bulb holder with a stop/tail light bulb holder and daisy chain the stop light connectors to the existing stop lights. In normal use the inner lights are red. Put the car in reverse, without applying the brakes, and they are white. Apply the brakes and they turn red again. Alternatively they can be used as reverse/fog lights by, again substituting the holders, and supplying a suitable switched feed to the red connectors.

[DJT]

Thanks everyone. That looks the business, I assume you replaced the reverse lamp holders with a 'Stop/tail' types and daisy chained the existing stop light wiring? - Alan

Correct.

[mallardstag]

No you don’t. Just replace the reverse light bulb holder with a stop/tail light bulb holder and daisy chain the stop light connectors to the existing stop lights. In normal use the inner lights are red. Put the car in reverse, without applying the brakes, and they are white. Apply the brakes and they turn red again. Alternatively they can be used as reverse/fog lights by, again substituting the holders, and supplying a suitable switched feed to the red connectors.

As Phil says, If you want stop, fog and reverse then you DO need to use diodes (or a much more complicated relay circuit).

My circuit to do this is.....

lighting.jpg

[DJT]

As Phil says, If you want stop, fog and reverse then you DO need to use diodes. My circuit to do this is.....

lighting.jpg

Sorry, my mistake. Takes me back to my schooldays: Read the question properly, Taylor!

[Neil in Deal]

Afternoon all,
Taking a wee break from the Japan v Samoa RWC match (exciting stuff!), saw this thread.
Yes, I've changed my front sidelights and rear sidelights/brake light lamps with Better Car Lighting's ones.
The front ones are nice and bright, almost like having daylight running lights, and the rear ones are EXCELLENT, brightness is on a par with "modern" cars.(Especially the brake lights, very "visible".)
Expensive yes, but if it lets other drivers see us better (especially from behind) then they are priceless.
Have just finished fitting BCL's high-power LED main beam LED bulbs and lamp units, and they are REALLY bright.
Also have their H4 high-power LED dip/main beam bulbs and lamp units to fit, which will no doubt make the world a "brighter place", especially as I want to use the car through the dark days/nights of winter.
Again, must stress I have no connection with BCL (other suppliers are available!), am just a satisfied customer.
Now, back to the RWC...…
Have a good weekend,

Neil.

[Phil S]

I have also fitted daylight running lights in my outer headlamps, 20171212_144909.jpg ignition powered via a 5 pin Relay so they go off when dip is turned on