LED Exterior Lights Installed
02-13-2004, 03:11 PM
#13
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Purchased all bulbs and resistors from www.MyRoadster.net
The guy was very nice, and his prices are better than anywhere else, and I did look at a lot of different sights and bulbs.
No doubt these replacement 'LED' bulbs will continue to improve, but these do work well enough for my purposes.
They are not quite as bright as OEM bulbs, not b/c the LEDs aren't bright, but because they do not make full use of the reflector.
HOWEVER, they are enormously improved from the earlier 'narrow angle' LEDs (30 degree viewable range) vs. now 100 degree viewable range.
They do look 'modern' as the light is visibly more abrupt when turning on and off, and given as I still have my OEM 3rd brake light there is plenty of brake lighting, and I do use my rear fog when driving in low visibility conditions. So in the end I do not believe the net impact is an improvement in look and function.
Do be careful to mount the resistors carefully -they get VERY hot (you wouldn't want to touch), just like a light bulb really, and you will need resistors for EVERY light you replace, except the side marker signals.<ul><li><a href="http://www.myroadster.net/led.asp">READ MORE HERE</a></li></ul>
No doubt these replacement 'LED' bulbs will continue to improve, but these do work well enough for my purposes.
They are not quite as bright as OEM bulbs, not b/c the LEDs aren't bright, but because they do not make full use of the reflector.
HOWEVER, they are enormously improved from the earlier 'narrow angle' LEDs (30 degree viewable range) vs. now 100 degree viewable range.
They do look 'modern' as the light is visibly more abrupt when turning on and off, and given as I still have my OEM 3rd brake light there is plenty of brake lighting, and I do use my rear fog when driving in low visibility conditions. So in the end I do not believe the net impact is an improvement in look and function.
Do be careful to mount the resistors carefully -they get VERY hot (you wouldn't want to touch), just like a light bulb really, and you will need resistors for EVERY light you replace, except the side marker signals.<ul><li><a href="http://www.myroadster.net/led.asp">READ MORE HERE</a></li></ul>
02-13-2004, 03:17 PM
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ONE NOTE ON THE PHOTOS
The LED tail lights actually appear MORE red than with the 'old' filament bulbs, although the photos don't accurately show it. ALmost a penetrating red, no 'hot spot' of orange/white from the filament.
Also, the 'orange' bulbs in the front and side signals are great, no hesitation to use them whatsoever. Perfect for the clear corner application.
Also, the 'orange' bulbs in the front and side signals are great, no hesitation to use them whatsoever. Perfect for the clear corner application.
02-13-2004, 03:30 PM
#16
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BTW
I'm not sure if the brake/tail lights would be bright enough for your tinted lenses, but the front and sidemarkers are a must do for you.
You must replace the side markers if you do the front, and you only need resistors for the front parking and signal lines (4 resistors).
Also, you can wire those resistors into the lines in the trunk, that's what I did. More room back there and no issues with weather and 'hacked' wiring after years of salt...
You must replace the side markers if you do the front, and you only need resistors for the front parking and signal lines (4 resistors).
Also, you can wire those resistors into the lines in the trunk, that's what I did. More room back there and no issues with weather and 'hacked' wiring after years of salt...
02-13-2004, 03:31 PM
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50 Watt back-up bulbs, too!
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5500/146_4661sm.jpg"></center><p>These are VERY bright, much brighter than the 'halogen backup bulbs' I once bought at Pep Boys. These are very nice to have, and were under $5 for both bulbs. I recall I bought them at Autozone, FYI.
02-13-2004, 04:22 PM
#19
I think the LED systems use intelligent clusters. The harder you push the brake,
the more light up = makes it brighter. I seem to recall that the new 7 series also has a self diagnostic that when a single led burns out, the system reroutes the signal to the next closest light.
