10 replies to this topic

[JoeBodge]

will a standard MK4 wiring loom be able to cope with powering LED bulbs? whch i will use for my brake indicators and fog lights. ive seen them in halford and various other places, they have a normal bulb base but have 4 or 5 LEDs at the top - i no LED's pull less amps than normal bulbs, but just wanted to check first as they are quite £££.
thanks

[Tomf]

Well i know a few people with them and i used to have tham and we never had any problems with them.

[Big_Adam]

LED's use LESS power (think) than regular filament bulbs.

Is an issue with legality of them I think. Also if you use them for indicators then you need a special relay for them or they flash waaaay too fast.

[twinks22]

LED's use LESS power (think) than regular filament bulbs.

Is an issue with legality of them I think. Also if you use them for indicators then you need a special relay for them or they flash waaaay too fast.

yes you r correct leds require less current and the stanard set up for indicatdcators use bi metallic relays which will make them flash to fast .i believe if you use the electronic type they should work properly .

[Gr4h4m]

Thats why Volvo started using them as brake lights as they react faster giving the driver behind you more stopping distance..... if you look at some cars the high middle brake light comes on before the side ones showing the diff in speed...

[JoeBodge]

thanks - will prob get some - might have a think about the indicators.
do you know where to get them from cheaper then halfrauds???? - they are £12.99 for 2!!!! well ££££

[PhoenixSimon]

I got mine from this guy

csmsupplies@yahoo.co.uk

I got 2 fogs 2 stop and tail and 2 indicators all with 11 LEDS on each for £22 posted.

Simon

[JoeBodge]

thanks phoenixsimon

[Bungle]

if they are for the indicators then you need bulbs with a resistor built in to the bulb so that they will flash

[Dan]

Normal electronic flasher units can't drive standard LEDs either. You need an LED flasher unit or resistors in the bulbs or in the circuit. All flasher units used with conventional bulbs depend on the load in the circuit to determine if a bulb has blown (which is a requirement of the system) so if you fit lower resistance bulbs by using LEDs it sends it all to hell.

[Brumski]

If you get LED bulbs, then make sure you get the ones with the LED's that point back twards the reflector as well (24 led bulds IIRC).
Otherwise the light shows as a central dot... the ones with the reflector facing LED's give a much 'fuller' spread of light using the reflector.