Fun with LEDs

[black heartbeat]

I did red leds from superbright in the camaro and they didn't dim at all, I understand that is pretty common because the run on so little amperage

[ZFreie]

Originally Posted by black heartbeat

I did red leds from superbright in the camaro and they didn't dim at all, I understand that is pretty common because the run on so little amperage

Bingo, I feel like there was another reason too but that might be the only one. I can't remember and to lazy to find my electronics book and look up leds lol

[Formula413]

They are only designed to run on 9-14 volts, I think that's why they dim a little then cut out

[ZFreie]

Originally Posted by Formula413

They are only designed to run on 9-14 volts, I think that's why they dim a little then cut out

I had someone explain to me exactly why it happens cause its a diode and not a resistor like a light bulb. Not that it matters, are the bulbs just plug and go? Id like to replace the lights on the rear view mirror of my car, map lights is what they are called? Mine are super dim and can hardly see anything with them on haha.


~EDIT~
did some quick reading, LEDs use P and N types of semiconductors, touching each other. In stupid terms, it looks like they wont conduct unless you apply enough electrical current, which makes sense as a semiconductor. thus to get them to flow and over come the natural resistance of the conductors, you need enough power, and if you drop below the threshold it just cuts out cause you lose the flow of electricity through the LED.

Thats how i read it anywho. I know there is more to it but, thats good enough for me for now haha.

[Formula413]

Originally Posted by ZFreie

I had someone explain to me exactly why it happens cause its a diode and not a resistor like a light bulb. Not that it matters, are the bulbs just plug and go? Id like to replace the lights on the rear view mirror of my car, map lights is what they are called? Mine are super dim and can hardly see anything with them on haha.

For the most part yes the LED bulbs are direct replacements for the existing bulbs. There are generally multiple options for replacing any given incandescent bulb. Some are designed to be the same size and shape, while some are larger and will only work if the housing the bulb is in has enough space. I got an oversized bulb for the trunk light in my Civic, they list dimensions for all their bulbs on that site so it was easy to measure and find one that fit. This is an oversized replacement for a 168/194 bulb, and the housing.

[*LS1* Queen]

checked it and mine dim just like the normal lights do

[DAWG]

get your LEDS here
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...FcWA5QodORlpMg

[whitdog54]

mine dim a little, but then they just cut out. Could care less though.

[KLAB]

Originally Posted by DAWG

get your LEDS here
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...FcWA5QodORlpMg

RICER!

[Formula413]

I got some pics of the bulbs I got for the Formula, results weren't quite as impressive as my other car. The map light bulbs are a decent improvement. Here's the pics of just the driver's side map light:

BEFORE


AFTER


Slightly brighter and better color. Now here's the pics of the rear dome light:

BEFORE


AFTER


The color is nicer but the LED bulb is actually not as bright as the standard bulb. And that is the only option for that size bulb (562). I would really like something brighter, I might try to modify the housing at some point to fit a different bulb.

I also got LEDs for the door handle bulbs but I can't find where I put the damn original bulbs so I can't get before/after pics. Those are a lot brighter though, with the stock bulbs you could barely tell they were on.