The Ford Barn

hoss73ford · 04-27-2023, 01:11 AM

I am wondering are these working ok with stock electrical systems of both 6 and 12 volts and not causing havoc?
As some of you might know the federal government is banning the sales of both incandescent and halogen lights after August 1st. I have not found any exemptions to automotive applications on their exemption lists and also will sellers such as those on e-bay be banned from selling them even though some are not classified as retailers.
Government intervention only screws things up for honest living folks.

BW · 04-27-2023, 06:47 AM

I have LED head lights and taillights on my cars. They are 12-volt negative ground. With the headlights I see better then with the halogens that I had in the cars. On the taillights, I find the boards are better than the bulbs. The person behind you can see you hit the brakes. Now on one car I had to change the flashers and the other I did not. I still run incandescent bulbs in the parking lights on both cars with No Resistors. I think it will be some time before you can't find a incandescent bulb.

Merc Cruzer · 04-27-2023, 08:11 AM

I have LED light through out the car: headlights, tail lights , turn signals (front and rear), my entire dash (which makes it allot easier to read at night), curiosity lights, and fog lights. No issues over the last 4 years. Mine is the original 6 volt system throughout.

It is allot easier on the generator too.

5851a · 04-27-2023, 09:17 AM

Are any of the led conversions dot approved?

Merc Cruzer · 04-27-2023, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5851a

Are any of the led conversions dot approved?

I have no idea. The requirements for classic cars in Colorado, are way less than new cars. No emissions, no function testing and I can get a 5 year license plate.

Since you are referring to the head lights. I am lucky, if I drive with them on, more than once a year. I have aimed them as close to the pattern as the old sealed beams.

This is the post, when I did the conversion, showing you the pattern with the LED headlights. :https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...22#post1796222

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WPn8gKSpI&t=17s

kiwi nz · 04-28-2023, 02:46 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hi Merc Cruzer, my 54 Vicky has landed in NZ and I am trying to sort out the electrics. Sorry, your link does not advance further than where we are.

If I can fit my car out as you have done with your car it would be preferable to going 12V. Where do I start purchasing all that I need?

Regards
Geoff

hoss73ford · 04-28-2023, 04:12 AM

Thanks for the responses. Some years back I read comments that LEDs were causing problems such as turn signal flashers either not working or burning out or LEDs not working on 6 volt systems. Perhaps they manufacture them a bit different now. I don't drive my old cars at night anyway (I live in an area where deer collisions are common usually after dark) but there's always a first time plus I don't want to get rear ended because the person said they couldn't see my brake lights.

BW · 04-28-2023, 06:26 AM

As I said earlier, you may have to change your flasher.

Merc Cruzer · 04-28-2023, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi nz

Hi Merc Cruzer, my 54 Vicky has landed in NZ and I am trying to sort out the electrics. Sorry, your link does not advance further than where we are.

If I can fit my car out as you have done with your car it would be preferable to going 12V. Where do I start purchasing all that I need?

Regards
Geoff

My source for most of of my LED bulbs has been LEDlight in Phoenix, AZ. They have been great to work with.

https://www.ledlight.com/g18-s25-2_6...-polarity.aspx

Merc Cruzer · 04-28-2023, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BW

As I said earlier, you may have to change your flasher.

BW is correct. When you change all of your lights over to LED's, the current draw is not enough to use a regular flasher and you there for have to to change turn signal flasher.

It goes right in the same bracket, as the old flasher did. The only difference is that you have to ground the wire coming off the new flasher.

https://www.ledlight.com/flasher-6-v...e-chassis.aspx

Merc Cruzer · 04-28-2023, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoss73ford

Thanks for the responses. Some years back I read comments that LEDs were causing problems such as turn signal flashers either not working or burning out or LEDs not working on 6 volt systems. Perhaps they manufacture them a bit different now. I don't drive my old cars at night anyway (I live in an area where deer collisions are common usually after dark) but there's always a first time plus I don't want to get rear ended because the person said they couldn't see my brake lights.

I had the same issue with my brake lights. When my wife was following me in her car, she said she couldn't see my brake light or turn signals. This post might "shed some light on the issue":

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...56#post1798056

5851a · 04-28-2023, 09:25 AM

I don't think the DOT actually does too much anymore with lighting.

1930artdeco · 04-28-2023, 01:27 PM

Of the ban is true (I have not looked) I am ‘assuming’ that it will be like house where you can still specialty bulbs that are incandescent. They are a tad more expensive though. For antiques and classics that don’t get driven much a total ban doesn’t make sense. We don’t put the miles on like a modern car. But then again someone with a LOT more money than me is making the decisions.

Mike

dmsfrr · 04-28-2023, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoss73ford

... I don't want to get rear ended because the person said they couldn't see my brake lights.

I replaced the tail light lenses on my '55. The old ones were quite a bit darker than the new ones.
They should let more light thru. Might put LED bulbs in if I feel the need.

I bought a set of LED tail light panels for my '57 if I get that far.
https://www.classictbird.com/Rear-La...tinfo/13466LB/

.

paul2748 · 04-28-2023, 02:41 PM

For my 54 (converted to 12V),I used LED's for the dash and rear lights. The difference in the dash lights was amazing. The dash lights don't dim, but not sure if it's the LED's or the switch. I don't mind as I like the dash light as bright as they are.

For the back, the difference was not that amazing but still was better than the old bulbs.

I also installed LED's on the tail lights on my 56 Bird. While they were brighter, I didn't like how the signals worked, which was slower. I kept the regular bulbs in the front. Took out the LED's as I didn't want to go the LED flasher route. The stock lights in a 56 Bird are pretty big and give out good light.. In addition, I converted the reflector on the top of the taillight to a bulb, so plenty of coverage in the rear for tail and signal lights.

1930artdeco · 04-29-2023, 07:07 PM

I painted the tail lights white in my 57 and they are bright! So not sure LEDs would be much brighter. But I have nothing to compare them to right now.

Mike

Merc Cruzer · 04-29-2023, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

I painted the tail lights white in my 57 and they are bright! So not sure LEDs would be much brighter. But I have nothing to compare them to right now.

Mike

I went with aluminum foil for the top part (stop light and turn signal) and painting the bottom part white. Then I added the led bulb.

To say it is "night and day" would be a under statement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwQm...ature=youtu.be

Prior post: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...56#post1798056

ScubaChief60 · 05-04-2023, 01:17 PM

Hello all... I am having problems with my turn signals. I have a 6vdc positive ground 1935 Ford. I am using a 6vdc to 12vdc step-up device to power my 12vdc led headlights and front and rear parking lights and signals. All of those lights work great... but my issue is that my signal flasher is not working. I have the LED Flasher... and it does not even light the signals... when I use the 6vdc 553 flasher the lights all light but no flashing.

Suggestions appreciated!

Merc Cruzer · 05-04-2023, 04:43 PM

Are your front and rear parking lights and signals LED?

Abe Lugo · 05-04-2023, 07:53 PM

"As some of you might know the federal government is banning the sales of both incandescent and halogen lights after August 1st."

This is impossible, until a common replacement is here, which its not really, there are tons of contemporary and some models still using Halogen, be it full bulb or otherwise.

everyone all the sudden need to move to the Holley LEDs because that is the common one?, no way no how! just use the Halogens and buy some extras for now. The LED tech for old car headlights it just not common enough right now.

Also there are Cheap bright white LED that are turning purple because of issues with the chemicals used. That is industrial street lights.

04-27-2023, 01:11 AM	#1
hoss73ford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 142	LED lights on collector cars I am wondering are these working ok with stock electrical systems of both 6 and 12 volts and not causing havoc? As some of you might know the federal government is banning the sales of both incandescent and halogen lights after August 1st. I have not found any exemptions to automotive applications on their exemption lists and also will sellers such as those on e-bay be banned from selling them even though some are not classified as retailers. Government intervention only screws things up for honest living folks.

04-27-2023, 06:47 AM	#2
BW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 259	Re: LED lights on collector cars I have LED head lights and taillights on my cars. They are 12-volt negative ground. With the headlights I see better then with the halogens that I had in the cars. On the taillights, I find the boards are better than the bulbs. The person behind you can see you hit the brakes. Now on one car I had to change the flashers and the other I did not. I still run incandescent bulbs in the parking lights on both cars with No Resistors. I think it will be some time before you can't find a incandescent bulb.

04-27-2023, 08:11 AM	#3
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,431	Re: LED lights on collector cars I have LED light through out the car: headlights, tail lights , turn signals (front and rear), my entire dash (which makes it allot easier to read at night), curiosity lights, and fog lights. No issues over the last 4 years. Mine is the original 6 volt system throughout. It is allot easier on the generator too.

04-27-2023, 09:17 AM	#4
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,665	Re: LED lights on collector cars Are any of the led conversions dot approved?

04-28-2023, 02:46 AM	#6
kiwi nz Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 83	Re: LED lights on collector cars Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi Merc Cruzer, my 54 Vicky has landed in NZ and I am trying to sort out the electrics. Sorry, your link does not advance further than where we are. If I can fit my car out as you have done with your car it would be preferable to going 12V. Where do I start purchasing all that I need? Regards Geoff

04-28-2023, 04:12 AM	#7
hoss73ford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 142	Re: LED lights on collector cars Thanks for the responses. Some years back I read comments that LEDs were causing problems such as turn signal flashers either not working or burning out or LEDs not working on 6 volt systems. Perhaps they manufacture them a bit different now. I don't drive my old cars at night anyway (I live in an area where deer collisions are common usually after dark) but there's always a first time plus I don't want to get rear ended because the person said they couldn't see my brake lights.

04-28-2023, 06:26 AM	#8
BW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 259	Re: LED lights on collector cars As I said earlier, you may have to change your flasher.

04-28-2023, 09:25 AM	#12
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,665	Re: LED lights on collector cars I don't think the DOT actually does too much anymore with lighting.

04-28-2023, 01:27 PM	#13
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: LED lights on collector cars Of the ban is true (I have not looked) I am ‘assuming’ that it will be like house where you can still specialty bulbs that are incandescent. They are a tad more expensive though. For antiques and classics that don’t get driven much a total ban doesn’t make sense. We don’t put the miles on like a modern car. But then again someone with a LOT more money than me is making the decisions. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

04-28-2023, 02:41 PM	#15
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: LED lights on collector cars For my 54 (converted to 12V),I used LED's for the dash and rear lights. The difference in the dash lights was amazing. The dash lights don't dim, but not sure if it's the LED's or the switch. I don't mind as I like the dash light as bright as they are. For the back, the difference was not that amazing but still was better than the old bulbs. I also installed LED's on the tail lights on my 56 Bird. While they were brighter, I didn't like how the signals worked, which was slower. I kept the regular bulbs in the front. Took out the LED's as I didn't want to go the LED flasher route. The stock lights in a 56 Bird are pretty big and give out good light.. In addition, I converted the reflector on the top of the taillight to a bulb, so plenty of coverage in the rear for tail and signal lights. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

04-29-2023, 07:07 PM	#16
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: LED lights on collector cars I painted the tail lights white in my 57 and they are bright! So not sure LEDs would be much brighter. But I have nothing to compare them to right now. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

05-04-2023, 01:17 PM	#18
ScubaChief60 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Summerfield, NC Posts: 153	Re: LED lights on collector cars Hello all... I am having problems with my turn signals. I have a 6vdc positive ground 1935 Ford. I am using a 6vdc to 12vdc step-up device to power my 12vdc led headlights and front and rear parking lights and signals. All of those lights work great... but my issue is that my signal flasher is not working. I have the LED Flasher... and it does not even light the signals... when I use the 6vdc 553 flasher the lights all light but no flashing. Suggestions appreciated!

05-04-2023, 04:43 PM	#19
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,431	Re: LED lights on collector cars Are your front and rear parking lights and signals LED?

05-04-2023, 07:53 PM	#20
Abe Lugo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 100	Re: LED lights on collector cars "As some of you might know the federal government is banning the sales of both incandescent and halogen lights after August 1st." This is impossible, until a common replacement is here, which its not really, there are tons of contemporary and some models still using Halogen, be it full bulb or otherwise. everyone all the sudden need to move to the Holley LEDs because that is the common one?, no way no how! just use the Halogens and buy some extras for now. The LED tech for old car headlights it just not common enough right now. Also there are Cheap bright white LED that are turning purple because of issues with the chemicals used. That is industrial street lights.