I ordered the RED 1157-R45-T bulb from www.superbrightleds.com -- they have 45 LEDs on them and are perfect for the rectangular, single bulb, rear lights that have the light vertically installed. I had the "extra bright" bulbs in there, along with the reflectors behind them, but the LEDs make a real noticable improvement. It's a five minute installation, and the turn signals work just fine. Here are some shots:
Photos can be deceiving, but in the last photo the LED light looks more amber than red. Will it look red to the driver behind you?
patrickt
07-28-2010 04:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al G
(Post 1067646)
Photos can be deceiving, but in the last photo the LED light looks more amber than red. Will it look red to the driver behind you?
Yes, it's nice and red. All of those 45 LEDs are in fact RED. It's hard to take a picture of a lit light bulb. They also sell an amber bulb just like it, but you wouldn't want that on your rear.
patrickt
07-28-2010 04:59 PM
This shot is with the sun directly on the back of the car. Left side has the LED, right side as the "extra bright" bulb. The brake lights are lit, even though it's hard to tell that on the right side.
Fifteen years ago (or more) Ron Francis was selling 'Bright Bulbs' to replace 1157's. I've had them since then and no one has been close enough to even see them...:LOL:
Thanks. I think you have a calling as a Hand Model...:MECOOL:
patrickt
07-28-2010 05:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERA Chas
(Post 1067661)
Thanks. I think you have a calling as a Hand Model...:MECOOL:
Alright, I'm taking the plunge. Just ordered a pair. I have had comments that people can't see my brake lights that easily.
Today is overcast so I paid particular attention to the color, hue, and brightness of the lights. I would now honestly say that the Cobra's lights appear to be "normal," whereas before they seemed to be dim, as compared to the typical brake lights that are in front of you 99% of the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcdoug
(Post 1067759)
Are there super bright, non-LED, replacements for the front blinkers too? I just have the standard 1157s in there now.
There are, and they are a little better than regular 1157s, and Bob P. recently posted link to one place that sells them. That post was in the last two weeks. Do you have reflectors on the inside of your trunk in your Cobra? Or can you literally just reach in and put your finger on the bulb?
Excaliber
07-29-2010 07:13 AM
Looks like a good up-grade, I might do this myself, thanks for the tip.
...you sure those aren't the hands of Stienfields girl friend? :)
patrickt
07-29-2010 07:15 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Excaliber
(Post 1067773)
...you sure those aren't the hands of Stienfields girl friend? :)
Oh, the "man-hands" episode? That was a riot....:LOL:
dcdoug
07-29-2010 07:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
(Post 1067771)
There are, and they are a little better than regular 1157s, and Bob P. recently posted link to one place that sells them. That post was in the last two weeks. Do you have reflectors on the inside of your trunk in your Cobra? Or can you literally just reach in and put your finger on the bulb?
I'll look for the post.
The CSX cars do not have reflectors and the bulbs are not accessible via the trunk. But with a little effort you can reach up inside the rear wheel well and remove/replace the bulb fairly easily. They are just sitting there in the open in front of the brake light lens.
patrickt
07-29-2010 08:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcdoug
(Post 1067776)
The CSX cars do not have reflectors and the bulbs are not accessible via the trunk. But with a little effort you can reach up inside the rear wheel well and remove/replace the bulb fairly easily. They are just sitting there in the open in front of the brake light lens.
OK, the ERA lights are exposed in the back of the trunk. That's good for keeping them dry, but they can be damaged by stuff shifting around in your trunk (like a can of Fix 'o Flat). Plus the 1157 bulbs can get pretty darn hot and possibly catch a towel or paper on fire. To remedy that, and to increase the brightness of the rear lights, ERA sells these polished aluminum protectors, which work quite well. I'm guessing they would fit your CSX car too and they increase apparent brightness, ehhh I'm going to guess, about 25%. They would be very easy to fashion from my pic below.
To remedy that, and to increase the brightness of the rear lights, ERA sells these polished aluminum protectors, which work quite well. I'm guessing they would fit your CSX car too and they increase apparent brightness, ehhh I'm going to guess, about 25%. They would be very easy to fashion from my pic below.
I'll see how it looks when I get the LEDs in without the reflectors. Right now I have standard 1157s with no reflectors, so I'm thinking it's going to be a big improvement and probably enough.
I also ordered the double filament 1157 replacements to add brightness to the front flashers as well. Ron Francis Wiring had them and was referenced in one of the threads on this subject.
