|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-21-2010, 08:43 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 157
|
LED in your tail lights
Who has install the 6 volt LED's in there tail lights? Who sells them? Thanks Chet/Ma.
|
12-21-2010, 09:27 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,173
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
If all you want to do is replace the incandescents, you can use a pair of xmas string LED lamps wired in series (they operate on ~3 volts a piece). Connect a bunch of these series pairs in parallel to get all the brightness you want. You have a choice of LED colors. Even make a blue dot taillight. 8^)
Jack E/NJ |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-22-2010, 08:36 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,773
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
I use 6V LED tail light bulbs. Look over this web site http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...57-x12-24V.htm
They are bright and give me the illumination I need, and use much less current so they are generator friendly. You do need 1157 base type light sockets (with the off set pin configuration) so see what bulb your using now and order red in color. I got mine from the web site and they were fast to ship. |
12-22-2010, 08:48 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 1,666
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
Here are a couple options:
6 volt LED taillight conversion for 1935 Ford: There used to be a guy on Ebay who made an LED board conversion for 35s. If you can find them, I think they will work in the stock taillights; you will probably want to measure to make sure. If I were doing the restoration I would also order a pair of Bay15d empty bulb bases and solder the leads from the LED boards into the bases so I didn't have to modify the wiring on the car in any way. 6 volt LED 1157 taillight bulbs: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...R#1157-W12-24V I think part number 1157-R19-6V LED is what I have in my 37 right now and it is much better than incandescent. These will also work in the 1935, but I think the board listed above will provide more light. Note that stock prewar Fords have a bulb socket that does not accept an 1157 style base. To remedy this you file the higher, I think, tang off the side of the bulb. Then you just have to make sure you don't put the bulb in so the tail light circuit operates the brake lights, and vise-versa. and since this is a long post already, if you are interested in upgrading your headlights: 6 volt halogen bulbs that fit the stock 1935 Ford reflector: http://www.lbcarco.com/ search for halogen 6V I think part number 170-957H is what you want. New stock reflector for 1935 Ford: http://store.bobdrake.com/19pas19pucom2.html New stock headlight lens for 1935 Ford: http://store.bobdrake.com/19pas19pic199.html |
12-22-2010, 09:10 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,052
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
I have thought about trying a set on my 46 but the main concern I have is that since I am using blue-dot lenses, will the light illuminate good outside the blue dot?
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
12-22-2010, 09:20 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UPSTATESC
Posts: 669
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
12-22-2010, 11:42 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Forest Park, IL
Posts: 590
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
Before you switch to LEDs (yuck), try painting the inside of your taillight buckets white. It makes a HUGE difference.
__________________
Obsessed with all things 1936 Ford since birth... thanks Dad. |
12-22-2010, 12:16 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 1,218
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
Chet-
There is going to be a lot of disagreement with my opinion on LED bulbs but here goes.... I have used them on my '35 and in my opinion they are a waste of money. The disadvantages are many. First they are very directional. Meaning , unless you are looking directly at them you don't get the affect. It is like a rifle shooting a bullet. Unless, you are directly in line with the barrel there is no physical affect. Whereas, an incandescent bulb behaves as a shotgun. It gives a wide spray of light which is visible from several angles. Second, the LED for stop lights require a super-sensitive brake light switch to activate. I (and others) have found the "normal" hydraulic brake switch do not work reliably with a replacement LED bulb on early Ford applications. I have heard a "scientific" explanation for this but it is too early for me to recall (6:00 AM)! Third, the bulb color is critical. If the light is going to go through a red lens (such as a stop light) the bulb color must harmonize with the lens meaning red lens require red LED. This is not a problem with the right tail light but doesn't work well on your left light which must serve as a tail light and a license plate illuminator. which requires a white light. Finally, as tail lights, the lights didn't seem to be any brighter than my regular bulbs. Again, this is my opinion with only one car I tested them on ('35 Ford). The one good thing about LED is the power draw is virtually nil. This is the LED bulb source I used: http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm If you are looking for a safety option, I would serious consider a "third light". This is a source I used on my Model A and my '50 pickup: http://www.jandlenterprise.com/products/products.htm Tom |
12-22-2010, 02:22 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Forest Park, IL
Posts: 590
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
I'm with Tom.
Granted I am running 12 volts, but this is just the taillights with the white buckets.
__________________
Obsessed with all things 1936 Ford since birth... thanks Dad. |
12-22-2010, 05:49 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tulsa Ok
Posts: 519
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
I have led in my 46 coupe and my 53 F100 and get comments from those who have followed me many times about their brightness. They are the United Pacific leds, I love em. I would never go back to old style bulbs, but I do like those driving behind me to see my brake lights.
|
12-22-2010, 11:37 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
Painting the inside of the housings gloss white does just as well. You would be surprised how much it helps. Also, the brightness is seen from many angles, not just from straight behind like LED's
|
12-23-2010, 12:27 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Masterton, New Zealand
Posts: 3,845
|
Re: LED in your tail lights
I've been running LED inserts [not bulbs] in my 35 Ford for a number of years and I love 'em! Comprises of 19 red LED's on each panel, with 5 white LED's behind one of them for the licence plate light. Incidently, I run mine behind clear glass lenses for that 'boyracer' look. I purchased them from eBay seller 'classiccargoodies'
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1933-...item45f7970f74 These are 12 volt though, I know you were after 6 volt. Try them maybe? Brian |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|