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Topic: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights... (Read 986 times) previous topic - next topic

Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Last weekend we managed to get the rear lighting assembly apart and replace burned-out lights. On our way to WalMart I turned into an O'Reilly's Auto Parts store on an impulse. O'Reilly's recently bought out Schuck's which had been around on the west coast for 50 years. While I had a nice visit with a friendly bulldog, the DW went into the store and discovered that they actually stocked LEDs suitable for brake lights (two contact, two pin), tail light (one contact, two pin) and clearance/running lights (flat contacts). Not exactly cheap but only about 2x the price of the regular models ($20 for a two-pack of brake lights). These are plug-in replacements for the stock incandescent lights.

They didn't have quite enough lights to fix me up so I had to buy an incandescent for the port side but they work great and the prices are coming down.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #1 –
Now if I could only find a plug-in LED replacement for headlights and driving lights I'd be happy. Or at least happier. :P

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
Last weekend we managed to get the rear lighting assembly apart and replace burned-out lights. On our way to WalMart I turned into an O'Reilly's Auto Parts store on an impulse. O'Reilly's recently bought out Schuck's which had been around on the west coast for 50 years. While I had a nice visit with a friendly bulldog, the DW went into the store and discovered that they actually stocked LEDs suitable for brake lights (two contact, two pin), tail light (one contact, two pin) and clearance/running lights (flat contacts). Not exactly cheap but only about 2x the price of the regular models ($20 for a two-pack of brake lights). These are plug-in replacements for the stock incandescent lights.

They didn't have quite enough lights to fix me up so I had to buy an incandescent for the port side but they work great and the prices are coming down.

Craig 

Do you know the manufacturer name and model number for these plug-in replacements?

Thank you.
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #3 –
I bought a lot of my led bulbs on ebay.  They were relatively cheap.  Just do a search on ebay with the bulb number (ie. 1157 led), and it will show up for purchase.  I routinely buy stuff like that off of ebay as I can do this from the comfort of my home.  Of course it is a little difficult to return if there is an issue. 
Best of Travels

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #4 –
Read a interesting article that said that the plug in leds were no where near as bright as the normal incandescent lamps.  It had pics for comparison.  Said one would get much better results doing a whole housing replacement with Grote or Trucklite led light housings.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #5 –
It may seem counter intuitive but you should use a RED LED if you have a red lens and Yellow LED if you have a yellow lens.  This is because a red lens will pass almost all the light from a red LED but a white LED is a mixture of colors and it blocks all but the red part of the spectrum.  Ideally the LED, which has a very narrow spectrum, should be matched to the exact same color as the LED.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wa_desert_rat –
Now if I could only find a plug-in LED replacement for headlights and driving lights I'd be happy. Or at least happier. :P

Craig

Hey Craig,

Have to agree the headlights are a weak spot on these coaches. I couldn't see much driving at night.

I tried polishing 20 years of abrasion, sunlight and age from my headlights, but the results were dismal. Looked at HID conversions, etc, but nothing for this style headlights (87-91 Ford F-100 and Bronco). The only option wouild be to hack up the works with a universal kit, but then you may have a problem with a DMV inspection. Finally just decided to replace the whole assembly. After shopping around a lot, I found a seller on ebay for new factory replacements, then using the store name found their website with even lower prices (no ebay fees). Got a pair with a 3 year warranty (most are 30 days  ::) ) . The $216 per pair price includes the chrome trim, free shipping, and they even came with new headlamp bulbs (but not marker bulbs) from here --> 1990 Ford F150 Truck Headlight at 1AAuto.com with how-to installation video.

Important point - these pass DOT inspection in all 50 states (not always the case).

Installing these next week. This will be somewhat time consuming. When FT installed these, they cut off part of the support bracket on the headlight side, pop riveted a small piece of aluminum angle to the fiberglass on the inboard side of the headlights, and used one pop rivet to connect the cut down headlight support to the aluminum angle. The new headlights will have to cut down the same way, and pop riveted in place. They did at least use the bolt in connections on the outboard end.

I will finally be able to see where I'm going in the dark.  :)

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #7 –
Steve.... take lots of photographs. These still won't be LEDs but at least will be clear. You might check and see if you could just use the glass and maybe save some work. Another possible application for very high gripping tape.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."
 

Re: Source for LED brake, tail and running lights...

Reply #8 –
I had a closer look at the installation this morning. The cut side of the headlight assembly is screwed to the angle, not pop riveted. One of the screws was rusty enough I couldn't tell the difference. It isn't as bad as I first thought. Still need to cut the support assembly down, but that's not a biggie with the old one out to use as a template.

I wouldn't consider opening up the new headlight assemblies. They are very well sealed. Cheaper ones I looked all had feedback indicating they leaked.

Yes, the new ones are clear - I can actually see the lamp inside.  ;D  I'll take some pics on the swap. Also adding LED daytime running lights below the headlights - these were only $17.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa