LED Tail Lights - Again

[CobERA]

I know this topic has been covered before, but I thought I would provide some additional information from my experience.

I decided to convert the taillights on my ERA to improve my visibility to other vehicles. I have the round Lucas lights.

After doing a little research I purchased the 1.85" Radianz clusters with pigtails from Custom Dynamics http://customdynamics.com . They are a little pricey, but if cost was the primary concern we probably would not be driving these plastic cars. They have a "direct" attachment bulb, but I did not think that the shaft of the bulb was going to be long enough to reach the base of the socket because of the protruding heads of the mounting bolts in my light housing (discussed and illustrated below).

Below is a picture of the LED cluster.




Typical installation instructions for these LED clusters suggest that you use Marine Goop to glue the clusters to the light housing. I did not take that approach.

In the picture below you see the heads of the two bolts that attach the light housing to the body. They are just a hair over 1¾" on center, so they prevent you from simply attaching the LED clusters to the light housing, unless you are willing to mount them off center.



I suppose you could layer enough Goop on the housing to fill the gap, but I also did not like the idea of a permanent installation. I chose to fashion a "mounting disc" that would be held in place by the bolts that attach the light housing to the body. The LED clusters come with adhesive tape on the backside and I planned on attaching the clusters to the "mounting discs".

I bought 2" cut washers with ¾" center holes and the notched them to fit between the mounting bolt heads. The thickness of the cut washers is approximately the same as the bolt heads. I then glued smaller washers to the cut washers so that the distance between the holes in the smaller washers was the same as the distance between the mounting bolts.

See the picture below.



I threaded the pigtails of the LED clusters through the big washers, inserted the pigtails into the light socket and then attached the washers to the taillight housing.

I then rotated the LED cluster clockwise in order to encourage the wire to curl up inside the pocket created by the socket and washer hole. I then attached the LED cluster to the big washer with the adhesive tape on the back of the cluster and Bingo, done!

The result of the installation is a secure but removable LED light cluster.



One concern I had was whether the LEDs would function properly when I used my turn signals. In some installations the low current draw of the LEDs make signals flashers think that a bulb is burned out, so they either flash too quickly or not at all. One fix is to install load equalizers in the circuit for each bulb. The downside of load equalizers is they become hot, so placement is critical. Fortunately the ERA flashers work fine so I did not have to resort to installing load equalizers.

Below are pictures of the running lights. On the right side are LEDs lights and on the left side are standard 1157 bulbs.

Standard Bulbs

LEDs




There is a noticeable difference in brightness, and from my observations side visibility does not suffer from the directional nature of the LEDs.

[Herkypilot]

I like the LED's. Good job!


Herkypilot

[ROUSHAC]

CobERA,

GREAT idea!

Someone on the Backdraft forum did something similar recently.

I have been using the smaller LED screw in units, which are brighter than the regular bulbs, but think that you two are onto something really good.

I'll have to give this a try.

Cheers!
Dave

[Dwight]

This is a site with a lot of 1157 & 1156 bulbs for sale. From $5 to $20 each. I think they have all the info you need to buy LED light for a Cobra.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm

Auto Zone has some LED lights and the electronic flashers, if the one in your car does not work with LED lights.

Dwight

[Rick 427 Cobra]

ck this thread
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...ighlight=lucas

[Yetiman]

Originally Posted by CobERA

They have a "direct" attachment bulb, but I did not think that the shaft of the bulb was going to be long enough to reach the base of the socket because of the protruding heads of the mounting bolts in my light housing (discussed and illustrated below).

I am using the direct attatchment LED's from Custom Dynamics in the round Lucas light housings, and they fit perfectly well and work exceptionally well. Far far brighter than the incandecent lamps.
Highly recomended !

I tried several different brands, and the ones from Custom Dynamics are superior products that are worth the extra $. Many I tried were not as bright as the incandecent lamps they replaced.

[Trueoo7]

Cobera
Do those LED's come on white and reflect red through the lens? I have amber and red in the back and would like to change mine out.
Thanks

[mtpockets]

use red LED with red lenses, amber with amber lenses.

[SF_SN888KE]

Great pics and instructions.
I've got the rectangle rear lights and did a similar swap. Found "square" LED panels and "dropped" in LEDs and taped in. Also from Superbrightleds too.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm
Running conventional bulbs in the front, the Silverblue stuff; looks "bluish" under the clear front lenses. I tried LED's in the front, but low resistance and blinker didn't work. Was not worth the effort to change out the fronts.

[2006GT]

I have the square style lenses too. I installed these this weekend... http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/1156-x30.htm
I used the right angle red 1157s. The install was easy. I did have to insert the bulb and then turn the housing a bit to point to the rear. They are brighter than normal bulbs.

For $25 bucks, a cheap and useful mod. Shipping was quick too.

[Got the Bug]

I installed the 1156/1157-xLX3 Luxeon LED bulbs from Super Bright Lights in my SPF and saw a noticeable improvement. Like others, I decided to leave the front turn signals stock so I wouldn't have to modify or replace the flasher.

[Mikey_P]

I made a set but since I liked the rectangular lights better I made one for them. I used the Custon Dynamics but the next size smaller. Seems to be plenty of light.

[arm7419]

CobERA

Can you let me know the Part Number of the LED lamps you purchased from
Custon Dynamics?

Thanks

[fastraxsg]

Is the custom dynamics website down or are us "off shore" types being excluded? Can not get in other than home.

Got on today, computer settings off, thanks.

[arm7419]

Works fine for me.

[CobERA]

Chuck,

It looks like their products have changed a bit, but I'm pretty sure the part# is GEN-18-R-1157.

Try this link, then scroll down to the GEN185CLUSTER. Add it to your cart, and then you can select a configuration.

http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_led_bulbs.htm

[arm7419]

Rick

Thanks for the info.