Installing LED stoplights?

[31 Model A]

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?

[Tom Wesenberg]

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

[Ford1931]

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]

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

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

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

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.]

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Originally Posted by Ford1931

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]

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

[CarlG]

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]

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]

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

[31 Model A]

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]

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

[Y-Blockhead]

Check your grounds...

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Check your grounds...

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

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

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]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

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????? 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]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

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]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

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]

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.

[31 Model A]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Jwilli

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. It takes me awhile to figure things out....too much VD during my Army days has ate away most of my brain...............

[Bob Johnson]

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

[huddy]

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]

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Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

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

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]

Originally Posted by huddy

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]

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]

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]

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

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

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]

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]

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

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

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????? The packaging plainly states 6 volt.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

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]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

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]

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

[Bob Johnson]

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]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

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...

[31 Model A]

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..............

[Smog Tech]

I have Snyder's LED tail lights in my Model A. Ran the red wire between the divider and the tail light housing. I like having both top and bottom lighting up for stop light and turn signal, much easier to see.

[Gus]

I like your light. Do you happen to know the specs of the LEDs you used? Lumens? MCD? I want to make something similar as a lightbar in the back window. Do you have a 6 volt pos ground? Thanks

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Gus

I like your light. Do you happen to know the specs of the LEDs you used? Lumens? MCD? I want to make something similar as a lightbar in the back window. Do you have a 6 volt pos ground? Thanks

I think I read somewhere the 6v were 90 candlepower.

[Patrick L.]

Until you get yourself a test light and figure out how to use it, why not just plug the left light[6v] in the right side and see if any of the lights come on.
If the lights worked a week ago you probably just have a bad connection/ground.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Until you get yourself a test light and figure out how to use it, why not just plug the left light[6v] in the right side and see if any of the lights come on.
If the lights worked a week ago you probably just have a bad connection/ground.

The packaging for the passenger side LED was labeled 6 volt when actually the LED itself was labeled 12 volt. I have a proper 6 volt replacement coming from Snyders, that should be the end to the problem.

[Patrick L.]

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Originally Posted by 31 Model A

The packaging for the passenger side LED was labeled 6 volt when actually the LED itself was labeled 12 volt. I have a proper 6 volt replacement coming from Snyders, that should be the end to the problem.

OK fine. Just making a suggestion as I thought you wanted to get this figured out as quickly as you could.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

OK fine. Just making a suggestion as I thought you wanted to get this figured out as quickly as you could.

I did. Bob noticed one board was marked 12 volt which pretty much solved the problem although I'll feel better when the proper 6 volt LED arrives Friday and I get it installed.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

I did. Bob noticed one board was marked 12 volt which pretty much solved the problem although I'll feel better when the proper 6 volt LED arrives Friday and I get it installed.

Old news. I was referring to post #36.

Boy, I can't wait to see what happens with the signals.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Old news. I was referring to post #36.

Boy, I can't wait to see what happens with the signals.

That makes two of us.

[RonC]

the led kit that you install behind your original lense looks the most stock. If you look close you can see the led bulbs behind the stock lense when off. When they light they light red and the red is so bright it shows as a red light through the stock amber portion of the lenses. Also I found cutting the wire gave a more defined tail light brake light action.

The best light I think is the complete tail light assembly with installed led lenses. They look "like" stock to the casual non model A observer but they are as bright as modern tail lights if that is what you are looking for.

[Big John]

Is the right side old bulb ok? time to get a test lite from napa or?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

The difference in the number of LEDs on the two boards is used for tail light / brake light change in brightness. For 6 volt, six LEDs wired in series will create a bright light but seven LEDs will create a dimmer light for all seven. So under normal running conditions with only the tail light on, the wiring controls seven LEDs. When the brakes are engaged, the power wire bypasses the 7th LED so that only six LEDs are activated. Those six LEDs are then brighter and function as the brake light. The fact that there are three extra resistors means there are three circuits of seven LEDs on the board for the brake light.

I think......

[Bob Johnson]

I thought that each LED requires 2-3 volts to operate. If you have 6 connected in series each one is only going to have about 1 volt. I do not see how 1 volt can light an LED. I have experimented with some high powered LEDs and at 1 volt they do not give off any light. ????

Bob

[Cool Hand Lurker]

You are right, Bob. I made up some LED lights for my trailer and it was 12 Volt. For 6 Volt Model A tail lights I used only 3 & 4 LEDs in series. My brain was operating at the higher voltage when I made the post.

[31 Model A]

Done Finished Fix.................I have two LED tail/stop lights now. Onward!!!!!!!!

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Done Finished Fix.................I have two LED tail/stop lights now. Onward!!!!!!!!

Yahoooooooooo
job well done

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Yahoooooooooo
job well done

Not without all the help from all you here.