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31 Model A 01-06-2015 02:16 PM

Installing LED stoplights?
 

Does a part of the center divider have to be cut out to accommodate the wire to keep it from being cut into when putting the light back into the taillight section?

http://i59.tinypic.com/2dkpzt.jpg

Tom Wesenberg 01-06-2015 02:58 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

I installed some for a friend and didn't have to do any cutting.

Ford1931 01-06-2015 03:11 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Are there LED lights that look fairly stock when they are not on? I have seen some that really look out of place on a stock car.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 03:34 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

These came from Snyders. The red wire that connect top board with bottom board cuts in the middle of the seperation.

http://i59.tinypic.com/ru43d1.jpg

Patrick L. 01-06-2015 03:45 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31 Model A (Post 1011126)
These came from Snyders. The red wire that connect top board with bottom board cuts in the middle of the seperation.

http://i59.tinypic.com/ru43d1.jpg




Not sure what you meant by the last sentence, but, I cut the jumper wire [red]. There were no instructions stating that, but, apparently these lights are for other installations also.

Patrick L. 01-06-2015 03:48 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford1931 (Post 1011103)
Are there LED lights that look fairly stock when they are not on? I have seen some that really look out of place on a stock car.



The only ones that I've seen look stock until they are lit.

Tom Wesenberg 01-06-2015 03:50 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Yes, the ones I installed for a friend also needed to have the red wire cut.

CarlG 01-06-2015 03:53 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

1 Attachment(s)
I just installed these in my regular Model A teacup tail lights. They look pretty much like the original glass lenses. If you prefer, they come in red/amber also. Most of our guys (me included) opted for the all red, just to be consistent with what people expect.

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 04:03 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

I seem to remember if you install with the red wire not cut, all the LED's are on when the lights are turned on and become brighter when the brakes are applied.

When the red wire is cut, the upper and lower LED's are separated like the stock light, bottom side on with headlights, top side on with brakes.

If using option 1, uncut wire, you need to modify the separator for the wire to pass thru.

tbirdtbird 01-06-2015 04:15 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

you don't even need the separator with the LEDs pictured. Notching it would cause no harm

31 Model A 01-06-2015 04:18 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Got them in, did not cut any wire, brake light left works great, break light right does not work. Thought maybe I had cut the jumper red wire, took it back off, no cut, put the old bulbs back in, brake light still doesn't work. Put LED back on, running light left side works, gets brighter when brake is applied. Right side...nothing, no running nor stop.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 04:21 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

The running light right side was working about ten days ago when I last ran Sarah, break light, can't say.

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 04:22 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Check your grounds...

31 Model A 01-06-2015 04:35 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead (Post 1011162)
Check your grounds...

Will do first thing tomorrow when the garage has heat again.

Patrick L. 01-06-2015 04:38 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31 Model A (Post 1011158)
Got them in, did not cut any wire, brake light left works great, break light right does not work. Thought maybe I had cut the jumper red wire, took it back off, no cut, put the old bulbs back in, brake light still doesn't work. Put LED back on, running light left side works, gets brighter when brake is applied. Right side...nothing, no running nor stop.




Sounds like its time to get out the volt meter or test light. Once you the right side is working, I think you'll probably want to cut the red jumper.

If you decide to hook up signals, that'll be fun. But, we'll get them working too.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 04:58 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L. (Post 1011179)
Sounds like its time to get out the volt meter or test light. Once you the right side is working, I think you'll probably want to cut the red jumper.

If you decide to hook up signals, that'll be fun. But, we'll get them working too.

Volt Meter????? What's a Volt Meter????? :D Just a bit of jocularity!!!! I'll put one on my shopping list for my next trip out. Sarah best not start talking diamond studded headlights!!!!!!

Turn signals???? Started on them today too.

Time for a cup of joe..................

31 Model A 01-06-2015 05:40 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L. (Post 1011179)
If you decide to hook up signals, that'll be fun. But, we'll get them working too.

I decided to go with Logo-Lites. I see many A owners have them and they look OK. I got the lights bolted to the bumpers today, no wiring yet. Maybe tomorrow.

I'll do some reading tonight in my A books about tail lights.

-10 to -20 here tomorrow wind chill..................Brrrrr!!!

31 Model A 01-06-2015 05:44 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead (Post 1011148)
I seem to remember if you install with the red wire not cut, all the LED's are on when the lights are turned on and become brighter when the brakes are applied.

When the red wire is cut, the upper and lower LED's are separated like the stock light, bottom side on with headlights, top side on with brakes.

If using option 1, uncut wire, you need to modify the separator for the wire to pass thru.

I went with all red, to be noticed better. I doubt if I'll ever do any night time driving but quite a bit of daylight. Now, if the whole light is brighter when brake is applied, would that not be more noticeable?

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 06:25 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

I would certainly think so. That is the way mine is set up. I also have my center light, looks clear but has 12 5mm RED LED's in it.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/...aeb65fa5c2.jpg

31 Model A 01-06-2015 06:35 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

What could I have done, unknowing, that could have disrupted the electric flow to the right tail light? As I said, it was working just fine about ten days ago. The only thing I did electrical today was replace the terminal box top. It was cracked. Nothing else electrical.

Jwilli 01-06-2015 06:58 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Check the wire that connects the left light to the right light. I think it may have become disconnected. If the wire is intact you may have a ground problem.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 07:00 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

After decoding the schematics, the trouble should lie somewhere from the left tail light going across to the right....Right???? I've gone out and laid on the cold concrete floor and checked the wiring for any breaks or bare spots that could short, I see none. I'll see if I can find a least a test light tomorrow.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 07:02 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwilli (Post 1011268)
Check the wire that connects the left light to the right light. I think it may have become disconnected. If the wire is intact you may have a ground problem.

I posted too soon.....as you can read. :D It takes me awhile to figure things out....too much VD during my Army days has ate away most of my brain...............:D

Bob Johnson 01-06-2015 10:07 PM

Different lenses ???
 

There is something strange here. I looked closely at the two lenses and they appear to be wired differently. Below is a picture showing the same circuit board for each lens. If I am reading the color bands correctly the top lens is using 18 ohm resistors and the bottom is using 82 ohm resistors. Also the top lens has 2 more resistors than the bottom one. I know that many LED devices for cars use a resistor in series with the LEDs to lower the voltage to 3-4 volts. Is it possible that the top lens is for 6V and the bottom one is for 12V?

If the 12V has 2 sets of LEDs in series with the resistor when I do the math I get that the LEDs are drawing 0.09375 amps at 4.375 volts or 46 ohms. If there are 3 sets in series I get 0.18 amps at 2.76 volts or 15.3 ohms which is closer to what I believe an LED will use.


Bob



http://www.modelahouse.com/images/led-tail-light001.jpg

huddy 01-06-2015 10:19 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

The printed circuits are completely different. On the upper assembly, notice the triangular pad by the resistor labeled "Extra" and the narrow reverse C shaped pad on the right side. Don't know what to make of that, except that the assemblies are different, but possibly could or could not be functionally the same.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:20 PM

Re: Different lenses ???
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson (Post 1011374)
There is something strange here. I looked closely at the two lenses and they appear to be wired differently. Below is a picture showing the same circuit board for each lens. If I am reading the color bands correctly the top lens is using 18 ohm resistors and the bottom is using 82 ohm resistors. Also the top lens has 2 more resistors than the bottom one. I know that many LED devices for cars use a resistor in series with the LEDs to lower the voltage to 3-4 volts. Is it possible that the top lens is for 6V and the bottom one is for 12V?

If I do the math I get that the LEDs are drawing 0.09375 amps at 4.375 volts or 46 ohms.


Bob



http://www.modelahouse.com/images/led-tail-light001.jpg

Hi Bob....went out and dug the packaging for each light out of the trash and both say clearly Red Lens Kit, 6-volt. One driver's side and the other passenger side. What I will do tomorrow is remove the driver's side LED and put the bulbs back in and do the same for the other side and see if the driver's side is somehow shorting the other side out.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:21 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by huddy (Post 1011381)
The printed circuits look different. Notice the triangular pad by the resistor labeled "Extra" and the narrow reverse C shaped pad on the right side. Don't know what to make of that.


There is a circuit for the license plate lens, could that be it?

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 10:26 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Can you switch the LED that is working to the side that isn't. My thinking is if you did get one 6v and one 12v LED by mistake the 6v is positive ground and 12v is negative ground.
You have to have the polarity correct on LED's to work.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:29 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

I don't see how this could be a factor but......my passenger side light is also a driver's side light with the license plate lens. I covered it up and put in a passenger side LED. Connects the same as the driver's side except no wire or lens is provided on the passenger side LED.

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 10:29 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

You do have a 6v and a 12v. It's printed right there on the left...

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:31 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead (Post 1011387)
Can you switch the LED that is working to the side that isn't. My thinking is if you did get one 6v and one 12v LED by mistake the 6v is positive ground and 12v is negative ground.
You have to have the polarity correct on LED's to work.


I'll return everything as it was tomorrow and see what happens. If all is well as it was, then I try what you said and see if what you suggest is the problem.

Bob Johnson 01-06-2015 10:32 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

One of the circuit boards is clearly labeled 12V. The other one is unlabeled. Is it possible that you got a 12V lens in a 6V package?

Bob

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 10:33 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

From Snyder's "The 12 volt is negative ground and the 6 volt is positive ground."

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:33 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead (Post 1011391)
You do have a 6v and a 12v. It's printed right there on the left...


Did I mention I'm deaf and dumb in both eyes????? :D The packaging plainly states 6 volt.

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 10:34 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson (Post 1011394)
One of the circuit boards is clearly labeled 12V. The other one is unlabeled. Is it possible that you got a 12V lens in a 6V package?

Bob

Bob it is labeled, one says 6v and one says 12v. Look close on the far left.

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:36 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson (Post 1011394)
One of the circuit boards is clearly labeled 12V. The other one is unlabeled. Is it possible that you got a 12V lens in a 6V package?

Bob

That seems to be the story. I'll package it up and send it on back tomorrow.

That's for all the time and help guys!!! Simple problem solves BUT!!!!!

earlier when I took the passenger LED back out and put the bulbs back in, I still didn't get anything. Would the 6 volt LED cancel out the 6 volt bulbs?

Bob Johnson 01-06-2015 10:37 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Yep I see the 6V now is is not in the same place and not as clear.

Bob Johnson 01-06-2015 10:41 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

If you look at the diodes near the red wire at the top you will see that the 6V is reversed compared to the 12V. That confirms that the polarities are different, 6V pos ground, 12V neg ground.

Bob

Y-Blockhead 01-06-2015 10:43 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31 Model A (Post 1011400)

Earlier when I took the passenger LED back out and put the bulbs back in, I still didn't get anything. Would the 6 volt LED cancel out the 6 volt bulbs?

Don't have an answer on that one. I do know it takes a lot more power for a regular bulb than a LED...:cool:

31 Model A 01-06-2015 10:44 PM

Re: Installing LED stoplights?
 

It would have bugged the hell out of me, so I went out and removed the 12 volt passenger side LED and put it back into it's packaging.

Goodnight and thanks again for seeing what I couldn't..............


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