LED Bulb Rear Turn Signal Light Upgrade

zxxn · 06-06-2007

Today I replaced rear turn signal bulbs to LED bulbs. I bought 3W amber LED 1156 bulbs from eBay and planned to put 8 ohm 50w load resistor to make them as 21w - oem bulb is 21w. Unfortunately, it has been very hard to find and buy 8 ohm 50w power resistor. I just got bulbs today and tried without load resistor.
IT'S WORKING FINE WITHOUT LOAD RESISTOR!!!!

I think the bulb is 3w and 3w is enough to avoid bulb faliure warning!

It's almost direct replacement. Only two modifications I did to fit the bulbs:

1. grinding off one of the pin on the bulb because it's 1156 not 1156A, so pin position is different.

2. grinding off four tabs inside bulb holder because LED bulb shape. (see 3rd photo)

I'm really happy because I don't need to tab wires to put load resistor!

It's very clean installation. I decided to replace front turn signal bulds and rear backup light bulbs with 3w LED.

They are really as bright as oem bulbs and blinking action looks very cool!!!

cyberdrakon · 06-06-2007

Hm...looks cool, any pictures with the lights on? any chance of before and after?

zxxn · 06-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberdrakon

Hm...looks cool, any pictures with the lights on? any chance of before and after?

Sorry, I didn't take pictures for before and after. But, brightness is same to oem bulbs. The LED elements in that bulb are chip LEDs. Those chip LEDs have almost 180 degree wide beam angle. It's amazing...

**Zeiser50** · 06-07-2007

Whaooo !

i've tried to do the same.
My results :
a) With a led bulb, it is not so bright as the original bulb . i've tried with two different kind of bulb :
- http://superbrightleds.com/specs/1157-x24.htm,
- http://autolumination.com/1156_1157.htm (lighttower more than 3W)

It seems that you have found a better bulb than me. Do you have some info regarding the bulb manufacturer (or seller) ?

b) Impossible to install my the led bulb without a resistor. Maybe your led bulb eats more amps.

So, for the time being, the original bulb remains.... But i have to test your bulb.

zxxn · 06-07-2007

Does your 3W LED bulb require load resistor?

Maybe my LED bulb is more than 3w.

I ordered same type LED bulbs for front turn signal lights.

When I get them, I will measure resistence. 12V 3W bulb should be 48ohm

and 12V 21W bulb should be 8.25ohm...

I will calculate wattage of the bulb based on resistence.

I think the reason my LED bulb is brighter than conventional LED bulb is

its chip LED elements have wide angle light beam(almost 180 degree)

and the beam pattern uses turn signal light reflector well....

**Zeiser50** · 06-07-2007

Zxxn,
i'm not sure you will able to make a impedance measurement with led. Only current measurement is possible. I will check on my side with the bulb data sheet in order to understand why a resistor is needed for me and not for you.

Is it this bulb : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VLEDs...spagenameZWDVW

412driver · 06-07-2007

I can answer them questions. In France the electrons are different. Mama said snails have something to do with it, I don't know about that, but mama is always right. I will ask Bubba this afternoon , he is tha resident electronics xspert, he wired up the lights on my tracter when me an everybody else gave up. Them lights work jus fine now, cept when it rains or tha sun is too hot or when tha moon is low in tha sky or when tha dawg barks.

zxxn · 06-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeiser50

Is it this bulb : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VLEDs...spagenameZWDVW

Yes, that is same one I bought.

leelk · 06-07-2007

i wonder how does it look like at night?
can you take some pic and show us?

**Zeiser50** · 06-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 412driver

I can answer them questions. In France the electrons are different. Mama said snails have something to do with it, I don't know about that, but mama is always right. I will ask Bubba this afternoon , he is tha resident electronics xspert, he wired up the lights on my tracter when me an everybody else gave up. Them lights work jus fine now, cept when it rains or tha sun is too hot or when tha moon is low in tha sky or when tha dawg barks.

i love this kind of humor . !!! Great !!!

i don't know if you smoke the herb behind your house .....

But do not change your stuff !!!

zxxn · 06-09-2007

I received LED bulbs for front turn signal lights this morning. As this type of LED bulbs has polority, first try failed....

After flipping the bulb, it's working fine....

As everyone knows, it's really painful replacing front turn signal bulbs.

After having tons of scratches on my wrist, I completed replacing bulbs and I'm happy.

No pain no gain.....

**etyu** · 06-10-2007

Did you need resistors on these? (front signal indicator lamps).

412driver · 06-10-2007

A smile is worth 10000 words and adds 2 days to your life. Hope my BS and humor gives you 1000 smiles a day.

**etyu** · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 412driver

A smile is worth 10000 words and adds 2 days to your life. Hope my BS and humor gives you 1000 smiles a day.

I heard an anecdote that laughter and smiles add to one's longevity. Certainly proven in studies that a positive attitude at the outset of a significant illness usually yields better survival rates/data.

Keep it up Doug. Don't stop!

zxxn · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

Did you need resistors on these? (front signal indicator lamps).

No resistors needed. That's why I put these LED bulbs. I don't like putting resistors because they produce extreme heat and need to tab wires.

**Zeiser50** · 06-10-2007

i need to try them !

**Zeiser50** · 06-18-2007

Bulb has been bought.
Hope i will receive them before my next trip in Japan (next week).

i will post some "piturs" of the result, for each model.

phatchink · 06-18-2007

I have a stupid question, if they're just as bright then wats the pointin changing them?

cyberdrakon · 06-18-2007

They light up faster, and SHOULD last longer.

**Zeiser50** · 06-18-2007

Switch on and off faster. No other reason than cosmetic .

06-06-2007	#1 (permalink)
zxxn SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 54 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	LED Bulb Rear Turn Signal Light Upgrade Today I replaced rear turn signal bulbs to LED bulbs. I bought 3W amber LED 1156 bulbs from eBay and planned to put 8 ohm 50w load resistor to make them as 21w - oem bulb is 21w. Unfortunately, it has been very hard to find and buy 8 ohm 50w power resistor. I just got bulbs today and tried without load resistor. IT'S WORKING FINE WITHOUT LOAD RESISTOR!!!! I think the bulb is 3w and 3w is enough to avoid bulb faliure warning! It's almost direct replacement. Only two modifications I did to fit the bulbs: 1. grinding off one of the pin on the bulb because it's 1156 not 1156A, so pin position is different. 2. grinding off four tabs inside bulb holder because LED bulb shape. (see 3rd photo) I'm really happy because I don't need to tab wires to put load resistor! It's very clean installation. I decided to replace front turn signal bulds and rear backup light bulbs with 3w LED. They are really as bright as oem bulbs and blinking action looks very cool!!!

06-07-2007	#4 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	Whaooo ! i've tried to do the same. My results : a) With a led bulb, it is not so bright as the original bulb . i've tried with two different kind of bulb : - http://superbrightleds.com/specs/1157-x24.htm, - http://autolumination.com/1156_1157.htm (lighttower more than 3W) It seems that you have found a better bulb than me. Do you have some info regarding the bulb manufacturer (or seller) ? b) Impossible to install my the led bulb without a resistor. Maybe your led bulb eats more amps. So, for the time being, the original bulb remains.... But i have to test your bulb. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

06-07-2007	#6 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	Zxxn, i'm not sure you will able to make a impedance measurement with led. Only current measurement is possible. I will check on my side with the bulb data sheet in order to understand why a resistor is needed for me and not for you. Is it this bulb : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VLEDs...spagenameZWDVW __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

06-09-2007	#11 (permalink)
zxxn SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 54 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	LED Front Turn Signal Lights.... I received LED bulbs for front turn signal lights this morning. As this type of LED bulbs has polority, first try failed.... After flipping the bulb, it's working fine.... As everyone knows, it's really painful replacing front turn signal bulbs. After having tons of scratches on my wrist, I completed replacing bulbs and I'm happy. No pain no gain.....

06-10-2007	#12 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Did you need resistors on these? (front signal indicator lamps). __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

06-06-2007	#2 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Hm...looks cool, any pictures with the lights on? any chance of before and after?

06-07-2007	#5 (permalink)
zxxn SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 54 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Does your 3W LED bulb require load resistor? Maybe my LED bulb is more than 3w. I ordered same type LED bulbs for front turn signal lights. When I get them, I will measure resistence. 12V 3W bulb should be 48ohm and 12V 21W bulb should be 8.25ohm... I will calculate wattage of the bulb based on resistence. I think the reason my LED bulb is brighter than conventional LED bulb is its chip LED elements have wide angle light beam(almost 180 degree) and the beam pattern uses turn signal light reflector well....

06-07-2007	#7 (permalink)
412driver Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salisbury North Carolina USA Vehicle: 99 SLK230 Other Toys: TOO MANY TOYS Posts: 1,010 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I can answer them questions. In France the electrons are different. Mama said snails have something to do with it, I don't know about that, but mama is always right. I will ask Bubba this afternoon , he is tha resident electronics xspert, he wired up the lights on my tracter when me an everybody else gave up. Them lights work jus fine now, cept when it rains or tha sun is too hot or when tha moon is low in tha sky or when tha dawg barks.

06-07-2007	#9 (permalink)
leelk Senior SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Ramon, CA Vehicle: 06 SLK55 AMG Posts: 135 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i wonder how does it look like at night? can you take some pic and show us?

06-10-2007	#13 (permalink)
412driver Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salisbury North Carolina USA Vehicle: 99 SLK230 Other Toys: TOO MANY TOYS Posts: 1,010 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A smile is worth 10000 words and adds 2 days to your life. Hope my BS and humor gives you 1000 smiles a day.

06-10-2007	#16 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	i need to try them ! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

06-18-2007	#17 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	Bulb has been bought. Hope i will receive them before my next trip in Japan (next week). i will post some "piturs" of the result, for each model. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

06-18-2007	#18 (permalink)
phatchink Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 123 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a stupid question, if they're just as bright then wats the pointin changing them?

06-18-2007	#19 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	They light up faster, and SHOULD last longer.

06-18-2007	#20 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 506 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	Switch on and off faster. No other reason than cosmetic . __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-
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