LEDs for the car.

[Tamir A.]

Can you re-post the pic. of the LED, didn't seem to work?

[Ozzie]

Can you re-post the pic. of the LED, didn't seem to work?

This is what I installed, purchased on ebay from vendor: premiertek_com
(Cost: $14.49 for a pair)

[Ozzie]

OK, as of this weekend 2109 is 100% LEDs on the first light switch click.

This upgrade was done over time, sections at a time, the final LEDs were the rear tail light ones that I put in during the week. As a result, unfortunately I don't have all the equivalent LED bulbs documented in one neat place as they were on pre-crash DMCTalk, but they're not hard to figure out as you go.

Wonder what the current draw is?
I sure did, so as a reference (from a separate thread), I asked what the current draw is for a stock, all incandescent bulb-ed D.

No bites on that request, but Dave responded w/a smart theoretical answer:

Here are my calculations:

Front 1157 bulbs on low beam = 0.59 amps each.
Side markers = 0.4 amps each.
Rear markers = 0.4 amps each OEM, Grady's use 10 watt or 0.8 amps. each.
Dash illumination = ??. I guess these 5 bulbs would = about 1.0 amps.

So it looks like 5.38 amps with rear 10 watt bulbs total. Or 4.58 amps with OEM bulbs. This is just calculated so real current should be measured (with engine running).

Let's add to the number above both interior dome lights, and the door markers, and perhaps we'd be up to a total of a 6 amp draw for incandescent bulbs.

100% LED Comparison:
I trickle charged the battery overnight, so my base line readings were:
Voltage: 12.62V, Standby draw: 20ma (no lights on)

First light switch click draw: 1.2A

Yowza, that's an 80% reduction in current draw on the battery, which actually may be more because this is based on a theoretical equivalent 6 amp draw. Oh, and I have some footwell LEDs installed by previous owner, so that's a little more draw than a stock car would see.

As i see it, the somewhat practical values of 100% LEDs, are:
Longer life on bulbs.
Larger selection of bulb colors.
Less load on the electrical system/wires.
Brighter light dispersion (applies mostly to footwell and dome lights).
Much less heat on the housings (applies more to dome lights).
Better chance to recover from an accidental dome lights left on overnight incident.
...and the bling factor: Display car at evening car shows with lights on.

Future related tasks:
I'd like to leave them all on, and take periodic readings to gauge the voltage drop.
If anyone has a stock setup with all incandescent bulbs, a reference actual current draw reading would be interesting to compare.

[DeLorean03]

All right, guys. I am taking a chance and possibly one for the team here. I have invested in the SMD LED lights. I bought 3 pairs of red SMD LED lights - 18 SMD LEDs for each bulb. $12 a pair - and this is what they look like:



When I get them in, I'll install and take a picture so everyone can see how they look. Heck, I'll probably do a video too. I'll keep everyone informed.

[Ozzie]

Ok, I've been off work on a staycation, and was able to find time to get some things done around the house and the car, and my blog.

So today I posted this today:
"Going 100% LEDs on your car is a good idea, and more feasible than ever."
....related to and in research to, this original thread.

Yeah, it's a bit long...but I tried to make it comprehensive, and it is based on my experiences with a completed full LED conversion. Hope you all find it useful.

Oh, here's a picture at dusk with all LEDs on:

[1batt4u]

I see you threw in Captain America's shield in the background.

[Ozzie]

I've had that for a long time now.
With the movie about to come out, a lot more people know what it is now.

[Farrar]

FYI, I have spare side marker fixtures and I plan on seeing if I can get LED strips, instead of bulbs, in them. If anyone's interested I'll take pictures and post the results.

Good blog post! Nicely done.

Farrar