12/24v LED rear lights

[djc]

I am considering fitting LEDs to replace my rear light clusters. There are plenty on the bay, but I've seen some that are 12/24 and they have more LEDs in them. Do they actually work OK on 12v - maybe they run a small transformer inside the box or something? Alternatively if anyone recommends an LED cluster that works well please advise. I plan to fabricate a new rear bumper to house, btw.
['91 Sami]

[Anton]

I've considered doing the same, but I was always concerned about the amount of light they put out, would the person following your Zuk have a proper idea of what you're doing? Could they see your turn/stop lights properly?

The 12v/24v ones may have voltage regulators. But it's impossible to tell you anything about a product that is not in front of us - at this stage it's a bit like a case of "how long is a piece of string?" - we can't really give an answer. Your best bet is to ask for a data sheet from the person selling.

Also, I think that you probably would have to swap the indicator relay, or install "ballast" resistors. Assuming that the indicator cluster doesn't have them installed already...

[dan_2k_uk]

Have a look through my build thread. I have some rather nice very bright ones I built into my rear bumper from a company called LED autolamps.

[Ladaman]

I've got these on the back of mine.

Click Here for Ebay Listing


They are 12/24V, and work perfectly well on 12v, not transformer is needed. I think it is so they can be fitted to HGV's on 24V with no problems.
I did need to fit a different flasher relay as Anton metioned, but I have LED front indicators too.

[djc]

questions Ladaman - those don't have reverse or fog - am I allowed to lose those (MOT whatever, rules and stuff) - and also what do you have on front as I can't find a led combo side/indicator (white side for front)?

[Ladaman]

I think you need a fog light for the MOT, I originally had the £3.50 type, but kept breaking it off road. I've now got a matching LED one.

IMG_4005.JPG (674.17 KiB) Viewed 8000 times

You can get matching reversing lights too, but I haven't bothered with one of those. I might fit one to balance the "look" up.

On the front I fitted three small round ones into a plate.

photo 3 small.jpg (202.85 KiB) Viewed 8000 times

More than enough brightness wise, and reliable when off roading.

[djc]

just got it, I guess your front sides are in the headlight? Mine are in the side/indicator cluster. Do i need to make a change to sort this?

[Ladaman]

Yeah my front sides are in the headlights.

Just change the rear lights, and leave the fronts as they are. You might still need to change the indicator relay though, but they aren't much, and a straight easy swap.

I only did what I did, because the Samurai had no rear lights at all, the front headlights were broken, and had no front indicators or sidelights when I bought it.

The only lights it had were the side repeaters

[Rhinoman]

Why not use something like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Function-LE ... 4498&rt=nc

They have all the functions required.

[Anton]

Ladaman - aren't those the same as the ones Dan got?

You might still need to change the indicator relay

I should change mine, my indicators flash a bit fast (MOT man is ok with them) and all I've done so far is put LED bulbs in my side repeaters.

Why not use something like these:

Those do look good, but I'd find out what wattage they draw first. I tried elcheapo LED bulbs in the Land Rover (ugh, what a stupid move) lights I fitted on the back, and it flashed way too fast.



I got stop/tail and indicator bulbs. They all sucked pretty damned hard. You could barely tell they were illuminated during the day!

You get what you pay for, thankfully I only wasted about a fiver on those. If I got LED lights in future, it's going to be decent ones and I'd check they were putting out a similar amount of light to the ones Dan and Ladaman fitted - which according to the specs on this page is:

0.07a @13.8v (0.966W) for stop
0.02a @13.8v (0.276W) for tail
0.19a @13.8v (2.622W) for indicators

That's not the whole story (LED efficiency, wattage output vs surface area etc) but it'll give you an idea of whether or not these LED's are any good, I think.