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Anyone Used Philips Ultinon Led Tail Light Bulb?


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#1 BaronVonchesto

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 06:24 AM

So I'd like to use LED bulbs for my tail lights to make them brighter as the old mini tail lights are far dimmer than those of modern cars.

 

I first tried these from ebay: https://www.ebay.com...eQAAOSwZQRYW5bI

 

while they were nice and bright, the problem i had was that both the brake and the tail light would come on at the same time if either was switched on, which is of course unacceptable.

 

I saw these Philips Ultinon bulbs on amazon and was wondering if anyone had used them before and if they're any good?

https://www.amazon.c...ull-spons&psc=1

 

 



#2 Bobbins

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 07:09 AM

Have you looked at Spiyda replacements: https://www.spiyda.c...led-lights.html

#3 Dusky

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 07:09 AM

Only a few modern cars have brighter taillights. 95% is still on p21/5 bulbs.

#4 unburntfuelinthemorning

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 08:03 AM

My Mini's tail lights are just as bright as modern cars - except for the moderns which use LED tail lights.



#5 paulrockliffe

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 09:14 AM

Have you looked at Spiyda replacements: https://www.spiyda.c...led-lights.html

 

These look good, but expensive.  I don't like that it shows £16 for a pair of bulbs, but when you select an item it adds £32 to the basket.



#6 panky

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 10:37 AM

Have you tried taking the lenses off and giving them a good clean on the inside, and a quick polish of the reflectors while you're there. It's amazing the difference it makes if they're a bit grubby.



#7 paulrockliffe

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 11:00 AM

Have you checked some ******* hasn't stripped clear lenses from your car before selling it to you, leaving coloured bulbs under coloured lenses?  I can attest that this leaves the bulbs very dim!



#8 Midas Mk1

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 11:54 AM

I use twenty20 bulbs, highly recommend. 



#9 Carlos W

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Posted 13 March 2019 - 03:51 PM

It could be a wiring fault making them dim

#10 BaronVonchesto

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Posted 14 March 2019 - 04:28 PM

its possible theres some extra resistance on the circuit making the bulb a bit dimmer, but its really not that much dimmer than it ought to be. havent tested it but i imagine the bulb is probably seeing something like 11 volts instead of 14 with the engine on.

I suspect the main reason for dimness its the plastic that isn't all that transparent anymore. There's no way mini tail lights are as bright as modern ones. Modern tail lights use much more transparent plastic and better quality reflectors. Most also tend to use halogen bulbs.

I have tried cleaning the plastics, didn't do much to be honest, mostly just because i think they aren't as transparent as they used to be due to being old



#11 BaronVonchesto

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Posted 14 March 2019 - 04:40 PM

figured i'd just buy a bunch of different ones from china and try em out to find one that lights up separately for the tail light and brake light. most apparently dont because they just use a voltage converter to make it slightly dimmer when not braking which is dangerous as the difference in brightness is minimal



#12 Dusky

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Posted 14 March 2019 - 07:54 PM

its possible theres some extra resistance on the circuit making the bulb a bit dimmer, but its really not that much dimmer than it ought to be. havent tested it but i imagine the bulb is probably seeing something like 11 volts instead of 14 with the engine on.

I suspect the main reason for dimness its the plastic that isn't all that transparent anymore. There's no way mini tail lights are as bright as modern ones. Modern tail lights use much more transparent plastic and better quality reflectors. Most also tend to use halogen bulbs.

I have tried cleaning the plastics, didn't do much to be honest, mostly just because i think they aren't as transparent as they used to be due to being old


No. What halogen bulb is sold for brake lights? Right. I sell about 20 of these every day so...

But you found your problems. Fix the wiring, buy new lenses and reflectors.

#13 roblightbody

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Posted 07 April 2019 - 09:05 AM

I spent ages trying to figure out why one of my taillights was dimmer than the other, before eventually it dawned on me that the red bit of the lens was much darker (too dark) on one side. When replaced with a new one, problem solved.

I recently tried the expensive Moss led tail lights, but they're far too bright, so went back to high quality original spec bulbs.




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