1157 LED replacements for tailight

[Mexi-can't]

I'm all stock still but looking at improving visibility of my brake light. I noted that your rear turning signals are on like running lights? My front turning signals are on as running lights and flash when switch the turning signal, but rear are only powered on when turning signal is switched on. Looking at photographs seems that even your turning signals brightness goes up when brake is applied, or is it just appearance on photographs? 5 led pointing back and 15 around is evidently better solution for projecting light. Couple of days ago i saw Brinks serviceman pickup truck with add on LED brake light mounted on the tail gate and even though it was sunny it was very, very bright and visible.

See post #13, I put a link to my thread about the rear blinkers I'm using.

 

[AdamDJ]

:shakehead: The standard bulb has a colour temperature that is close to white, so are you saying that is pink too, think not.

The red lens allows through the part of the spectrum that is near red, if the red LEDs don't happen to be emitting the right part of the spectrum then you will restrict the light output. If however the LEDs are emitting the correct colour then they would be better.

The LED lamps I tried all had white LEDs and no problem with the colour.

Your right.. Im retarded and have no clue what Im talking about..

A regular bulb is yellowish... White leds are so white they border on blue.. So when you put them in a red reflector they come out pinkish purplish.. Everyone recommends using red bulbs for red reflectors, amber for amber, etc... I use a red LED in my brake light that has multiple LEDs all around the bulb so they shine on the reflector and it works perfectly.. But it's your bike.. do what you want.. I could care less

P.S. Here are some pics using a red LED with leds all around the sides of the bulb.. Usually called a 360 degree led... The plate light is a 5 white Led bar where the leds are all aimed at different angles with only the middle led pointing strait down.. Its a pretty sweet light..

 

[Jman]

Your right.. Im retarded and have no clue what Im talking about..

A regular bulb is yellowish... White leds are so white they border on blue.. So when you put them in a red reflector they come out pinkish purplish.. Everyone recommends using red bulbs for red reflectors, amber for amber, etc... I use a red LED in my brake light that has multiple LEDs all around the bulb so they shine on the reflector and it works perfectly.. But it's your bike.. do what you want.. I could care less

First of all, you obviously do care and were trying to be helpful by posting what you did. I can confirm that I have seen in other places on the web about matching the bulb color with the lenses. Secondly, I don't think you are retarded or clueless (I know you were being sarcastic). Thirdly, :noworries:

 

[AdamDJ]

First of all, you obviously do care and were trying to be helpful by posting what you did. I can confirm that I have seen in other places on the web about matching the bulb color with the lenses. Secondly, I don't think you are retarded or clueless (I know you were being sarcastic). Thirdly, :noworries:

Thanks man, but my post was more aimed at alanrim who thinks that this common knowledge is totally wrong and has to roll his eyes at the info...

 

[Jman]

So, how do those compare with your original bulb? What is the brand name? It looks good in the picture at night....especially that plate light.

 

[Jman]

Thanks man, but my post was more aimed at alanrim who thinks that this common knowledge is totally wrong and has to roll his eyes at the info...

I know, just wanted to promote some peace.

 

[AdamDJ]

So, how do those compare with your original bulb? What is the brand name? It looks good in the picture at night....especially that plate light.

They are much better, the biggest advantage is they turn on instantly unlike a filament bulb.. I dont think they are branded.. I got them on ebay.. Just run a search on 1157 red led and find the type that has leds wrapping all the way around.. They usually have like 24 or 36 leds in total.. I had an extra bulb laying around, here are some pics..

 

[Mexi-can't]

That looks pretty good ^^^ My camera phone pics didn't do the bulb in mine justice. Looks like the same bulb minus a few led's.

 

[AdamDJ]

That looks pretty good ^^^ My camera phone pics didn't do the bulb in mine justice. Looks like the same bulb minus a few led's.

Heh, thanks.. The pictures better look good! The camera is a 1000 dollar Sony F707.. Sure its 8 years old but it will out perform 95% of digi cameras out there now.. Its "only" 5 Megapixel, but back in the day when I got it that was HUGE!! I think it came with a 16 meg memory card too!

 

[seoulski]

I've got a spare one of these on my desk right now:

My thread about making them received so little attention that I was just about to toss it up on ebay.

Chaosratt, Do you still have any boards and the components? I'm interested. How difficult was the install in the lens?

 

[AdamDJ]

Chaosratt, Do you still have any boards and the components? I'm interested. How difficult was the install in the lens?

You can get something similar to that on ebay.. they are called led intergrated tail lights..

 

[buzzbomb]

Has anyone had any experience using Luxeon or Star leds? I've bought myself a 1watt one with it's own driver, and I'm planning on shrinking it down into a bayonette fitting, so it'll provide about the same light output pattern as the original incandescent bulb, so it'll be able to use the original reflector. Testing has shown it's definately brighter than the original, but as I don't have any spare brake light housings or much time to experiment, it's on the waiting list.
I've also thought about building a board and fitting two luxeon (or cheaper no name brand!) leds side by side. Heat dissipation is an issue with these leds, but I think the housing could handle maybe 2 watts without having a complex heatsink. Just an aluminium backing plate should do.

One day if I get time I'll be able to finish this and post some photos!

BB

 

[Jman]

Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Tailgate]

I have had one of these for a long time (scrolll down for FZ6):

Clear Alternatives: LED Board

Nice 'n bright, requires not much mod'ing. This is a NON integrated tailight setup. I use my stock lens.

 

[Chaosratt]

Has anyone had any experience using Luxeon or Star leds? I've bought myself a 1watt one with it's own driver, and I'm planning on shrinking it down into a bayonette fitting, so it'll provide about the same light output pattern as the original incandescent bulb, so it'll be able to use the original reflector. Testing has shown it's definately brighter than the original, but as I don't have any spare brake light housings or much time to experiment, it's on the waiting list.
I've also thought about building a board and fitting two luxeon (or cheaper no name brand!) leds side by side. Heat dissipation is an issue with these leds, but I think the housing could handle maybe 2 watts without having a complex heatsink. Just an aluminium backing plate should do.

One day if I get time I'll be able to finish this and post some photos!

BB

I have one(1) spare tail housing with red cover. Yours for $20 + S&H.
Fair Disclosure: It's missing the little gasket that fits between the lens and housing base.

 

[paulinus]

I always wanted to try one of these. spider-led-light/ I had to put an LED bulb in for the tail light after my rigged up lighting for my Givi bags. I agonized over which would fit the housing and have radially aimed LEDs...etc. I was displeased and I'm going to reconsider my light set up on the bags, or order something different. /shrug

My apologies if someone else already mentioned the spider LED. I skimmed thru. :spank:

 

[seoulski]

I have had one of these for a long time (scrolll down for FZ6):

Clear Alternatives: LED Board

Nice 'n bright, requires not much mod'ing. This is a NON integrated tailight setup. I use my stock lens.

Thanks Tailgate. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm not interested in the integrated tail. I just wanted something brighter for safety. Just ordered one to go in my OEM housing. Hope it works out well.:thumbup:

 

[buzzbomb]

I have one(1) spare tail housing with red cover. Yours for $20 + S&H.
Fair Disclosure: It's missing the little gasket that fits between the lens and housing base.

Nah I might pass on that thanks mate, I'm in oz, and currently am snowed under with work and renovations, thanks for the offer tho!

BB

 

[Jman]

I always wanted to try one of these. spider-led-light/ I had to put an LED bulb in for the tail light after my rigged up lighting for my Givi bags. I agonized over which would fit the housing and have radially aimed LEDs...etc. I was displeased and I'm going to reconsider my light set up on the bags, or order something different. /shrug

My apologies if someone else already mentioned the spider LED. I skimmed thru. :spank:

That spider light looks very cool and seems to have LEDs on both sides of the expandable legs. Are you going to get one?

 

[Tailgate]

Thanks Tailgate. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm not interested in the integrated tail. I just wanted something brighter for safety. Just ordered one to go in my OEM housing. Hope it works out well.:thumbup:

If necessary, there's a thread somewhere on tailight removal (it's kinda complicated!). After I received my LED plate, it wasn't exactly "instructions clear" how to install the mod. I had to purchase two very small and long self-tapping screws to mount the round LED base (1 piece) to my stock set-up (one has to drill two small holes). I also had to buy another two very small but short self-tapping screws to mount the LED board to the LED base. Once it's mounted, it's problem free and a nice, bright LED board set-up.