LED Bulbs

[ThickCobra]

I decided to replace the std 1157 bulbs, front parking/directional and rear parking/brake/directional bulbs with 1157A comparable LED Bulbs by Sylvania purchased at my local auto parts store. I replaced one bulb at a time and tested functionality. When they worked they were definitely slightly brighter and didn't heat up...a bonus. However, the system would not accept all 6 bulbs and still work. I also purchased 2 new heavy duty flashers by Novita, EL12, 552 Upgrade.

So, since it will accept only 4 bulbs, with everything working properly including emergency flashers, I chose to keep the front amber bulbs as original. The battery is a fully charged Optima yellow top. I'm uncertain how to proceed to detect the problem.

[edwardb]

From what I tell by searching, the Novita EL12 is still a electro-mechanical turn signal flasher. For an all LED setup, you need a solid state flasher. Sounds like with all LED's, you aren't getting enough current draw for the Novita flasher. Not unexpected. I have all LED bulbs in #8674 with solid state flashers. All from Watson's Streetworks. Everything works perfectly.

[ThickCobra]

You are correct. For some reason I mistakenly believed it was solid state. But, I see that Street Works also sells mechanical LED flashers. I'll go by your experience and purchase the solid state ones.

Thanks

[boat737]

If the flashers have a dedicated ground (a separate wire or contact) that should work with LED's. I have two different kinds in the car (one for flashers, and an adjustable flash rate one for the turn signals) and all works fine. Since they both "click" when operating, I'm assuming they are electro-mechanical. I did use the 1157 LED's from SuperBright LED's.

[edwardb]

You are correct. For some reason I mistakenly believed it was solid state. But, I see that Street Works also sells mechanical LED flashers. I'll go by your experience and purchase the solid state ones. Thanks


If the flashers have a dedicated ground (a separate wire or contact) that should work with LED's. I have two different kinds in the car (one for flashers, and an adjustable flash rate one for the turn signals) and all works fine. Since they both "click" when operating, I'm assuming they are electro-mechanical. I did use the 1157 LED's from SuperBright LED's.

A more accurate response on my part should have been to use solid state flashers or electro-mechanical ones specifically made to also work with LED's. Meaning they trigger at a low current draw. Lower than the traditional ones used for many years with incandescent lighting and a better option IMO than adding resister dummy loads that used to be the common solution. I hadn't seen the electro-mechanical LED flashers from Watson's before. Likely similar to the ones boat737 mentions. It is true that solid state ones don't have an audible click. They are eerily silent. But I couldn't get the old style ones, even those supposedly with louder clicking, to be heard in previous builds. Once the engine is running and side pipes doing their thing, the clicking is no longer audible. That's one of the reasons on this build I purposely have bright LED indicators on the turn signals. Plus I have them right in front of me on the dash. They are visible even in bright sunlight. One other advantage of the all solid state ones is that they are completely sealed. No more water running into the flashers and ruining them if the windshield posts are not sealed up completely. Ask me how I know. Twice on #7750. :(