Are LED's brighter than normal bulbs?

[Cheesehead]

A simple question to those who have installed them: are LED's brighter than the standard bulbs?

I have read posts about LED's from "Superbright". Some say they are a good replacemnet mainly because they last much longer. I have seen some LED rearlights, but those where definitely not brighter.
The standard rearlights are not very bright. A brighter rearlight would be safer.

Any comments?

Cheeshead, #1125
Netherlands

[trularin]

It is all in the design of the bulb. Some are brighter and some are not as bright.

You really need to try one and then decide.

Just my experience. I design with LEDs for automotive every day and it is all in what is required, but when you leave the OEM world, it is a wide open field.

[Cheesehead]

These superbright LED's are rather expensive. Sending them to Europe (where I live) makes it even more expensive. So trial and error is not what I am looking for.

Any other suggestions or commends on what to do or choose?

[Tommy]

According to Wikipedia, an LED will produce more illumination per watt than an incandescent bulb. So if you buy an LED of the same wattage as the conventional bulb you are replacing, it should be brighter. Whether the increase in brightness will be noticable or not is uncertain.

[trularin]

Well, I have 1 Watt LEDs that you can not look at.

I think what is being asked is, should this person buy an LED type "bulb" or should he buy a filament type "bulb"?

Go with LED bulb if you can afford it, they will draw less current leaving you more for your front fan.

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by trularin

Well, I have 1 Watt LEDs that you can not look at.

That's a little harsh. Why won't you let me see it?

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

These superbright LED's are rather expensive. Sending them to Europe (where I live) makes it even more expensive. So trial and error is not what I am looking for.

Any other suggestions or commends on what to do or choose?

I went with the SuperBrightLed 3 watt Luxeon in Red. My independent third party judge (my wife) indicated that the 3 watt Luxeon bulbs were much brighter than the standard bulbs.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...8400#1157-xLX3

The SuperBrightLED site recommends that you use the same color bulb as the lens, but there's a current discussion on SCOF with input that the white bulb may be brighter on SPF cars.

I've also heard that you don't want to install LED in the front...it'll mess up the flasher.

Confused yet?

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I've also heard that you don't want to install LED in the front...it'll mess up the flasher.Confused yet?

Common problen that is easily fixed.


Universal Load Equalizers
The Custom LED Universal Load Equalizers come in two stages, and cures the common problems associated with retrofitting incandescent turn signal bulbs to LEDs. There are basically two things that can happen if one replaces the stock turn signals with LEDs (or smaller bulbs) on their vehicle or motorcycle.

Usually, when you remove incandescent bulbs from a blinker system and replace them with LEDs - the stock flasher relay begins to blink too fast. This is actually the designed response of the flasher relay as it is trying to indicate to the operator that a bulb is burned out, which is not the case

Alternatively, it is possible that your blinker system will stop working all together - either the blinkers will come on and stay on steady, or they will not come on at all, or the left and right indicators will illuminate at the same time! Rest assured, Custom LED has a solution for you...

There are two ways to fix the fast blink or no blink problem:

1) PREFERRED - Replace the flasher relay with one that does not have a "bulb-out" notification or a minimum load requirement such as the Custom LED Electronic LED Flasher Relay (must have a two wire replaceable flasher relay - see compatibility list).

2) OR - Add load to the blinker system VIA Custom LEDs Load Equalizers. The Custom LED Load Equalizers are the perfect sized resistors that cure this problem!

http://www.customled.com/products/lo..._equalizer.htm

[PANAVIA]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I've also heard that you don't want to install LED in the front...it'll mess up the flasher.

Confused yet?

The Reason is resistance (OHMS) if you have LEDs in all the sockets , your turn signal flashers wont work ( they use a circuit breaker style heat system to "Flash" on an off.)

[Dangerous Doug]

Equivalent wattage LED's will be brighter than incandescent bulbs because the viewing angle of an LED has a limited angle, wherein the incandescents disperse light in all directions.

Before you spend the $ for an LED replacement, make sure you have an adequate reflector on the incandescent bulb so light is reflected and directed out through your lenses. This may solve your brightness problem. Shouldn't be hard to find a small, parabolic reflector and mount it behind the incandescent bulb directed through the lense to get better output.

DD

[Ralphy]

Look at any Tractor Trailer. Most have LED's in back now. One of the main advantages is having bulbs not going out as soon.

[trularin]

Most trucks have a solid state controller for running lights and flashers. The use of LED for them is a matter of current draw and less is better.

There is a new White LED out that actually has four substrates in one cell. It is very bright and is currently being used by some cities to convert from florescent.

And there are four cell LED fog lamps we are using on some vehicles that are as bright as incandescent.

Solid state lighting is moving fast as the world doesn't want to pay for light.

[wicked fast]

Hey Got The Bug,

What part number did you use ???

Thanks,
BC

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by wicked fast

Hey Got The Bug,

What part number did you use ???

Thanks,
BC

I bought:

2 x 1156-RLX3 (Red) 3 Watt Luxeon
2 x 1157-RLX3 (Red) 3 Watt Luxeon

They recommend using the same bulb color as the lens, but there was some discussion on SCOF that the white bulb is actually brighter in some cars.