LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

[Mark42]

I was looking at LED replacement bulbs for the 1156 and 1157 common tail light bulbs. The LED replacements came in various colors, but I was looking at the white to put in a tail light. I was surprised to read that the web site reccomends using RED LED lights behind red tail light lenses, not the white. They said they will appear brighter, and although LED lights may LOOK bright to us, actually they are not as bright as the filiment bulb.

Anyone else come across LED bulb info similar to this?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I was looking at those. What occurred to me was that they still have those crappy sockets they have to fit into. That's the reason my lights don't work half the time.

Seems to me that swapping out for the sealed LED units makes more sense. $50 and you're done. I'm changing over next Spring. I'm just weary of having to pull the lenses off my trailer lights before heading to the lake, so I can clean the socket contacts. Feh!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I changed to the sealed units myself and love them.

The information about the red ones being better and brighter is accurate. I did a TON of research into LEDs for my motorcycle project for my final project in Computer Engineering and red is by far the brightest. White LEDs are neither really white and are definitely not pure white. The mcd they produce and the viewing angle on them are generally not comparable to what red can do unless you're willing to pay through the nose for them.

I'm thinking you are under the impression that the red lens will filter the light produced by the led? That is true to an extent but generally not a factor. Best thing about LEDs is they switch so quick that when brakes are applied a human behind you does react quicker, this isn't even a result in the brightness unless the sun is right behind you.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

There's no substitute for epoxy sealed LED lights, those bulb replacements are probably fine for dry automotive lights but like mentioned above, it doesn't fix the problem of the poor connection caused by corroded sockets.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

Suzuki is correct. White LEDs are really blue with a yellow phosphor. What the phosphor does is basicly convert blue photons to yellow photons. (Blue light to yellow light.) The eye is fooled and thinks it looks white, but there is minimal red light there. It is really mostly blue and yellow light. I know you all thing blue and yellow make green, but in this case it is not true. Anyway, there is minimal red light to go through the red filter. On the other hand, the red LEDs are almost pure red light. Susuki is also correct about the response time of a LED light. The standard (incadescent) bulb takes about a half second to heat up and produce light. The LED starts producing light almost instantly. (I know this only because I work as an electrical engineer for a automotive supplier. Interior LED lighting is one of my product responsibilities.)

I agree with CATransplant about the socket being the weak link. The LED has awesome product lifetime, but the sockets still are the wink link in the chain. I cover my sockets with grease (vaseline, etc.) That seems to help a lot. Also, I fill all the crimp connections the same way. Unfortunately, I still back the lights into the dock or whatever else. In my case, it just does not matter how good the lights are. Oh well.

TerryMSU

 

[reelfishin]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

After reading this post, I was looking at some of the LED replacements, but they all look like they would only work if the bulb was pointed at the lense, on some old style trailer lights, the bulbs stand vertical in the housing with no reflector plate, so the LEDs would point upward not outward.
Most of my round or older square tail lights are built this way.

Do they make LED bulb adapters to fit both style lights? So far I've only seen those with the LEDs pointing directly away from the socket. It would be hard to make one for vertical socket lights since the orientation of the socket and pins would have to align perfectly and the same on all applications, and being made of only stamped metal, that's not likely going to be the case. The LEDs could end up pointing forward or sideways if the socket pins didn't fall in the right place.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I would replace the whole light.Those LED bulbs like the 1157 style for brake and tail lights will not be much of an upgrade.You will still have corrosion issues with the sockets.
The new LED trailer lights are all sealed in epoxy.
They do make different design LEDs as far as the direction of the light itself but they are pricey...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I agree. Spend the $50 and buy the whole LED system. Then, you'll have solved the problem more or less permanently. Anything else is just a temporary fix.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I was looking at those. What occurred to me was that they still have those crappy sockets they have to fit into. That's the reason my lights don't work half the time.

Seems to me that swapping out for the sealed LED units makes more sense. $50 and you're done. I'm changing over next Spring. I'm just weary of having to pull the lenses off my trailer lights before heading to the lake, so I can clean the socket contacts. Feh!

well said;

 

[Dhadley]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

I agree. Spend the $50 and buy the whole LED system. Then, you'll have solved the problem more or less permanently. Anything else is just a temporary fix.

Again well said. Since I went to the complete system I've never had to replace or repair anything to do with trailer lights. The most I do now is look at them - Yep, still ticking.

 

[Splat]

Re: LED replacements for 1156/1157 bulbs

www.autolumination.com

Bill