LED Bulbs

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Mad Max
Joined: Sun 28 Feb, 2010 11:18
Posts: 442

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LED Bulbs

Post by Mad Max »

Hi Everyone,

Not totally sure that this is the correct section, but hopefully I'll get some feedback.

I'm looking to replace my tail light bulbs with LED versions as one of the bulbs looks to be getting towards the end of it's life.

I need a 382 type bulb, but there's a few different designs of LED on the market...

I like the look of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-1156-BA15S ... 417b5637c5

...but then theres these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10X-1156-9-LE ... 311wt_1111

...these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-1156-382- ... 53f455629d

..these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-AMBER-BA1 ... 071wt_1111

(I know some are ambers, but it's the bulb design, not the colour that I'm looking to discuss... I know ambers won't work well as a tail light! ;) )

Anyone got any experience of any of these? Any recommendations?

Cheers :)
deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
Posts: 761

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: LED Bulbs

Post by deni2s »

IMHO don't use LEDs as tail lights.
1) The light will be quite directional, so only small spot on the lights will be bright - doesn't look good, I spent a lot of money on LEDs in tail lights, and now I am not using them because of that.
2) LED's have tendency to be very bad performers if there is some obstacle (like red glass of light or rain, or fog), I believe this could be because of higher colour temperature (about 5000K). It will not look bright and you are playing with your safety.
3) Not sure about UK laws, but in Latvia you can't pass MOT with LED lights if they are not certified.
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: LED Bulbs

Post by Southernboy »

LED's without any diffusion lens in front of the led are very directional. The ones with diffusion - as per the second example - are perfectly good. They will refract the LED output through the mini lenses in front of each led. They are perfect for the job, and since you're placing them inside the acryllic taillight cover, the acryllic acts as a diffuser too.
"Normal is overrated"
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Mad Max
Joined: Sun 28 Feb, 2010 11:18
Posts: 442

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Re: LED Bulbs

Post by Mad Max »

Brill, cheers SB. I'll give 'em a go and post the results :)

Deni - I hear what you're saying and I appreciate your input, but for a few quid they're worth a pop :)

EDIT - make that 99p - I'm in no rush, haha!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321462657232? ... 1497.l2649
t-tony
Joined: Sun 21 Feb, 2010 23:17
Posts: 353

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: torksey lock

Re: LED Bulbs

Post by t-tony »

If you are going to use led light try the "Cree" style led bulbs they are really good and not directional but very bright, BUT not cheap. I bought 2 for my reversing lights and they were roughly £10 a pair. Excellent light output though. :)
"Knowledge and experience are not always the same"
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