Patrick - LED Taillight problems - Page 2

Large Arbor · #21 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 07:34 AM

So, can the 1157's be switched out to the LED variety with no hickups?

Phil

patrickt · #22 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

So, can the 1157's be switched out to the LED variety with no hickups?

Phil

If you have even the slightest ability whatsoever, the answer is "Yes." But, you do have to be able to change a light bulb.

rodneym · #23 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

But, you do have to be able to change a light bulb.

Usually starts with, "How many Corvette owners does it take..."

Large Arbor · #24 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 09:45 AM

Thanks Patrick. So was there a specific brand you went with? Jegs has the Anzo variety. I would like to do both running / turn signal / and brake lights which means 4 bulbs.

Phil

patrickt · #25 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Thanks Patrick. So was there a specific brand you went with? Jegs has the Anzo variety. I would like to do both running / turn signal / and brake lights which means 4 bulbs.

Phil

I used the ones outlined in this thread: LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

Pull your lights out and check them carefully for dual filaments or single filaments. I have the rectangular fitting, not the two separate light setup.

Large Arbor · #26 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 10:17 AM

I will definitely do that as $22.95 per bulb is pricey.

Phil

Bernica · #27 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 01:10 PM

One of the best things I ever purchased was a Power Probe for troubleshooting.

DanEC · #28 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 01:11 PM

Yeah - they are easy to change out in the rectangular tail lights, but that isn't a guarantee they will work in your car. I tried everything except changing out the trailer relay in #782 and could not get them to work. I ended up plugging them LEDs in the tail lights of my 67 GTX where they worked fine. Hopefully they will work in your car.

patrickt · #29 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Yeah - they are easy to change out in the rectangular tail lights, but that isn't a guarantee they will work in your car. I tried everything except changing out the trailer relay in #782 and could not get them to work. I ended up plugging them LEDs in the tail lights of my 67 GTX where they worked fine. Hopefully they will work in your car.

Remember I explained to you how to check the voltage drop over your trailer relay? And that it was possibly eating up way too much?

Large Arbor · #30 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 01:45 PM

The women I talked with at Superbright said that a resistor has to be added in some cases as the LEDs draw less current then the traditional bulbs.

Phil

patrickt · #31 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

The women I talked with at Superbright said that a resistor has to be added in some cases as the LEDs draw less current then the traditional bulbs.

Phil

That is not his problem. He has too much resistance in his circuit.

Large Arbor · #32 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 03:05 PM

Ah...Could be.. I do have a EEt degree by the way. Know Ohms, Kirchoffs, and all those other laws that go with it.

There are only a few options with Dan's problem it is likely most certainly the relay.

Power probes or a simple multimeter will help resolve the issue. Absent that, different relays on a trial and error basis might work as well. I recently had to utilize a diode for my Robb Mc starter as it did not work without it.

Phil

DanEC · #33 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Remember I explained to you how to check the voltage drop over your trailer relay? And that it was possibly eating up way too much?

Yes, and I've already changed out the trailer relay unit once and not in a mood to do it again. The 2357 bulbs are an improvement although not as good as the LEDs.

If the voltage drop across my trailer relay is too great (?) then there is a good chance it could be too great over Large Arbor's relay also. His car is closer to yours which are older than mine - maybe there is a problem with the newer trailer relays.

Yes, the turn signal flasher and brake light element worked fine on my ERA flasher - just no tail lights.

Bernica · #34 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Ah...Could be.. I do have a EEt degree by the way. Know Ohms, Kirchoffs, and all those other laws that go with it.

There are only a few options with Dan's problem it is likely most certainly the relay.

Power probes or a simple multimeter will help resolve the issue. Absent that, different relays on a trial and error basis might work as well. I recently had to utilize a diode for my Robb Mc starter as it did not work without it.

Phil

Then you and Patrick know this book, right? It does provide some good info from time to time for a dumb-ass like me!

Large Arbor · #35 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 04:23 PM

Actually, I am rethinking this. If the circuit works with the other lights which draw more current and the LEDs which draw less, that would explain the Superbright lady's suggestion of adding a resistor. A resistor in parallel will result in a greater current draw to the circuit. Ohms law is that current = voltage / resistance. If resistance is increased, more current may be then drawn through the relay. I would buy a small rheostat and wire it in parallel to see it makes a difference.

Phil

patrickt · #36 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernica

Then you and Patrick know this book, right? It does provide some good info from time to time for a dumb-ass like me!

Yep, and as a courtesy to my fellow CC members, here's a PDF copy of it:
http://ibewminuteman.com/media/A%20U...nce%202005.pdf

Bernica · #37 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 06:59 PM

Good one Patrick. See? There really is a "Nice Patrick" under there..

Dimis · #38 (**permalink**) 12-11-2014, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernica

Good one Patrick. See? There really is a "Nice Patrick" under there..

Haha... Kind of reminds me of:
Luke. I am your father!

DanEC · #39 (**permalink**) 12-11-2014, 05:02 AM

Patrick's a good guy - I just prefer the guide "Electrical for Dummies". Written more to my level of electrical competence.

I also spoke with Superbrite technical desk. Outside of difficulties with flasher circuits they were completely clueless as to why the tail lights would not work. But they didn't fully understand why we had a trailer relay in our circuitry.

strictlypersonl · #40 (**permalink**) 12-11-2014, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Yes, and I've already changed out the trailer relay unit once and not in a mood to do it again. The 2357 bulbs are an improvement although not as good as the LEDs.

Yes, the turn signal flasher and brake light element worked fine on my ERA flasher - just no tail lights.

Tail lights (parking lights, I hope) are completely separate from the brake/signal circuit, including the relay board. You must trace the red wire from the back to the connection at the driver's footbox to the fusebox, where the front and rear connections split.