Thread: LED lights

Just found this LED supplier on ebay
http://cgi6.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...&sort=3&rows=50

they're in QLD, selling two pack brake/tail lights (30 LED) for under $30.

But are they ADR approved ? Even some of the Narva ones (the cool, round ones that would suit a Landy for example) are not road legal. 8O

I'm interested in using some of the LED globe replacements in my Kaymar rear step bar. The viewing angle wouldn't be a problem, the lamps are set back in anyway.

What interests me is whether they'd stop the trailer light flashing on the instrument panel. The lights in the P38A are all controlled by the BECM (Body Electronics Control Module) - they aren't switched by the light switch and relays but by semiconductors in the BECM. I'm worried that if I tow a trailer with the extra load from the step bar incandescent globes, it may overload the semiconductors in the BECM with the consequential $$$$ wallet overload.

Removing the incandescent from the step bar is not an option as all lights, where fitted, must work. (I suppose an alternative is to remove the lights completely and fit blanking plates in the bar. They are only needed if there is a wheel carrier fitted.)

Has anyone tried these in a step bar (for example) and, if so, did it stop the trailer light on the dash flashing?

Ron

I recon that would be the go , the lesser the current draw the better. Im still considering making up the jaycar ones to replace the rear tail lights in my disco.

Drivesafe might know hes a bit of an electrikery wiz !

Mick

Today I bought 2 ready made LED replacement lamps for my step bar flashers. $14 each from Jaycar.

I didn't think it was worthwhile to buy the PCBs and make then up myself - not for a trial. If I was doing a few of them it would be. (I'm an electronics tech).

I'll try them tomorrow and advise.

Ron

The LED replacement lamps were unsuitable for the Kaymar rear bar. The lamps in the bar have the globes facing sideways. This would have put the light output from the LED units pointing to the side. Not a lot of use.

Secondly, the trailer symbol on the dash still flashes so the current draw must be quite high (I forgot to measure it before returning the lamps).

I was hoping for a series-parallel wiring configuration of the individual LEDs to limit the current but they must all be in parallel.

I tried the lamp in the standard flasher position but the light output wasn't as good as the incandescent globes.

Ron

I bought these same globes, i found that they didnt hardly work at all, actually once in, and the brake was put on the lights actually dimmed....note on the back of the packet reads Installation of anode and negative pole must be correct.....WTF does this mean - only one way they can go into a 93 disco - because of the high pin low pin on the side ...anyone ?

Mick

Originally posted by landrovermick
I bought these same globes, i found that they didnt hardly work at all, actually once in, and the brake was put on the lights actually dimmed....note on the back of the packet reads Installation of anode and negative pole must be correct.....WTF does this mean - only one way they can go into a 93 disco - because of the high pin low pin on the side ...anyone ?

Mick

It effectively means that they can't be used on positive earth cars.

LEDs are polarity conscious. The centre pin(s) is/are positive and the shell is negative. If used on a positive earth car, the centre pin would be negative so they wouldn't work. As LEDs are diodes, they wouldn't conduct, they just wouldn't work. They wouldn't burn out.

For the type of globe you are describing, the offset pins ensure that the tail light is illuminated by the tail light wiring and the stop light by the stop light wiring.

Ron