Halogen 1157's

[rodneym]

All this LED brake light talk got me thinking, what about the halogen option?
I know they throw a lot of heat: 15W low/50W high, vs incandescent's 8.3W low/27W high, but our brake lights/sockets are open, almost air cooled compared to modern sealed enclosures.
Anybody try them? Did they melt the lenses? I think the only issue would be when the brake lights are on and that's not long (at a time, anyway).
Anybody?

[DanEC]

I have an old Corvette and I think it is the heat that's an issue. I remember some reports of melted lenses while stopped at a traffic light but don't remember if it was in the closed Corvette lights or a Cobra light. On the rectangular lights, I agree that the bulb should be far enough away from the lens and should have enough ventilation to avoid melting anything.

[ACademic]

Rodney, why not try these warmer halogen bulbs using some super-hard-to-find original Lucas L542 lenses and let us know how that works out?

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by ACademic

Rodney, why not try these warmer halogen bulbs using some super-hard-to-find original Lucas L542 lenses and let us know how that works out?

...because you bought the only 2 left on the "open" market

I'm gonna try on my fakey-do's.

It would be great if they work without damage. My experience with LEDs are mixed. In consumer electronics they're great, but all these green LED "saves" are pure junk.

[rodneym]

BTW, I just saw that there's a 2357 bulb. Direct fit.
1157 - candle power for running light: 3, brake light: 32.
2357 - candle power for running light: 3, brake light: 40 (25% brighter, 4.8W more consumption than 1157).
Same price and you know the blinker works.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by rodneym

BTW, I just saw that there's a 2357 bulb. Direct fit.
1157 - candle power for running light: 3, brake light: 32.
2357 - candle power for running light: 3, brake light: 40 (25% brighter, 4.8W more consumption than 1157).
Same price and you know the blinker works.

I was running the 2357s until I just now installed the LED tail lights that Bob from ERA posted about a couple weeks ago. They are a bit better (brighter) for brakes and turn signals. The brake/signal filament is likely to have a shortened life compared to a 1157 bulb but if you don't want to mess with LEDs or LEDs won't work with your flasher system, they are a good alternative.