Switch to led bulbs
- Thread starter pjm8047
- Start date
rlem1977
Well-Known Member
I've used the Sylvania 1157R in a race car setup for tail lights/brake lights, no turn signals. I've seen some posts stating if you are using them in a turn signal/flasher application you need to do something in order for them to work. I don't know enough about that. I our application they work and look great.
tmaleck
Well-Known Member
Old school flasher units rely on the load of the bulbs to work properly. The current of the bulb heats a bi metal strip, causing the contacts to open and close. If the LED does not draw enough current, the strip does not heat up as intended, so it may flash fast or not at all. New solid state flashers work differently, and do not rely on current to flash. Some LED bulbs incorporate a resistor to mimic the load of a standard bulb, so no special flasher is needed.
Tim
Tim
I've got LEDs on my 66 Shoebox and I love them . . . Brighter so that people KNOW that yo're stopping, and yes, I did get the Electronic Flasher unit so that my turn signals will work properly.
One more thing - the Electronic flasher unit is polarity specific - When I got mine, it would not work, so I called the manufacturer to get some detail - they informed me that is was polarity specific and that they would be happy to "sell" me a polarity swapper to fix the error . . . so I asked them, why can't I just pull the (2) pins in the plug and swap them myself to do that same thing for free instead of paying you $5.00 for this "special polarity swapper gizmo" that you're trying to sell me . . . His response, you could do that too . . .
Swap them up - you'll love them . . . and then enjoy the ride . . .
One more thing - the Electronic flasher unit is polarity specific - When I got mine, it would not work, so I called the manufacturer to get some detail - they informed me that is was polarity specific and that they would be happy to "sell" me a polarity swapper to fix the error . . . so I asked them, why can't I just pull the (2) pins in the plug and swap them myself to do that same thing for free instead of paying you $5.00 for this "special polarity swapper gizmo" that you're trying to sell me . . . His response, you could do that too . . .
Swap them up - you'll love them . . . and then enjoy the ride . . .
Johnpat
Well-Known Member
I changed my bulbs to brighter standard bulbs.
For instance 1157 can be changed to 2357,these burn brighter .but don't last as long.
You lose about a quarter of life expectancy.
No need to change flashers or install any other
electrical devise
I use Eiko brand bulbs,they work great.
For instance 1157 can be changed to 2357,these burn brighter .but don't last as long.
You lose about a quarter of life expectancy.
No need to change flashers or install any other
electrical devise
I use Eiko brand bulbs,they work great.
I think the site is super bright LED . . . And no modifications needed - the electronic flasher even has the same shape as the original flasher
I bought a kit recently and it requires a flasher (flasher I got has a ground wire some don't need it I guess). I had to switch the wires in the flasher harness. The kit had tailights, reverse lights, and front turn/park light bulbs. My problem is both front bulbs flash when turning the blinker on left or right while the rears work as they should. Outfit I bought kit from has no clue why this is happening. They are to send me another set of bulbs to try...waiting for that. Meanwhile the original bulbs work as they should. If anyone has an idea why this is happening sure would like to hear...
pjm8047
Well-Known Member
Just installed a new electronic flasher. Wow what a deference . Lights flash a lot faster then the old mechanical flasher specially at lower voltage. Now Just waiting on my led bulbs to come in.
pjm8047
Well-Known Member
So I installed new leds in my roadrunner. Now they run really slow and if I turn on something like my electric fan they dont work at all. I did install an electronic flasher in. For the leds to work fast I had to reinstall two rear 1157 bulbs back in. So pretty much the hole cars leds except for the headlights and two rear tail lights. I wish I could make it all LEDs except for the headlights. Any ideas?
is the problem that your flasher doesn't work or are the lights dim too? I mentioned in my earlier post that the front blinkers flash at the same time when either signal is on with the led's; but work just fine with the old bulbs. if it's only the flasher it sounds like a possible short or bad ground in that circuit. I had to switch the wires in the harness for the flasher and also found this issue with one of my tail lights (posts reversed). assume all of your bulb outlets are in good shape and grounded?
pjm8047
Well-Known Member
I saw something called a load equalizer that sylvanis sells its made to put load on turn signal circuit to make them work normally. I might need that for all them to work properly because there is isnt enough load and the flasher doesnt flash fast with all lights being LED. So I had to have a least one 1157 bulb in the circuit for them to flash normally. Im probably going to leave it that way. I don’t want to chop up wires if I don’t have to.
pjm8047
Well-Known Member
Theres only one way a 1157 bulb can go in.
bm02tj
Well-Known Member
I used a jetco fl66088 flasher good for .02A to 20A
I read some are polarity sensitive mine was plug and play
With that info you should be able to find something as they are a Canadian company
I read some are polarity sensitive mine was plug and play
With that info you should be able to find something as they are a Canadian company
The LED bulbs are configured the same as 1157 so they "should" only go in one way with short and deep pins; but with shoddy or worn outlets they've been shoved in the wrong way. I have no idea how my tail light wiring was reversed as I had to put in my old outlets that were still fine as the ones in the new wiring harness I got were really shitty (the base cracked causing a short). My assumption was the outlet was reversed as one light was working opposite as it should have been. My car is a '63 with each tail bulb accommodating the lights, turn signal and brakes.
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