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Using LEDs for indication instead of bulbs

ang9444
in Skoda Fabia Mk2 (2007-2014)

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Hello,

 

Was wondering if I bought an orange LED and replaced my OEM indicator bulb, would it work and give sharper signalling like on the LED indicator lights on the newer BMW/Mercedes models etc.? Same applies for the break lights, if I changed them to LED, would they be sharper or do I need specially designed LED lights unit like on newer cars?

 

Thank you

I'm not sure how much crisper the light would be. You would need to get an LED suitable for the cluster. The bulb makes use of the reflector behind it so a directional LED might not give as much light which is why the cars that have them as standard have a row of them.

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You will need Canbus error free LED bulbs for the indicators and brake lights due to the difference in resistance, it will cause an error message to appear on the dash if you use normal LEDs.

They are quite cheap to buy and do look better than normal bulbs and due to their nature, they light up quicker and brighter.

  • Author

I'm not sure how much crisper the light would be. You would need to get an LED suitable for the cluster. The bulb makes use of the reflector behind it so a directional LED might not give as much light which is why the cars that have them as standard have a row of them.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Ohh right yeah makes sense. Would they not work very well in the reflector then like a normal bulb?

  • Author

You will need Canbus error free LED bulbs for the indicators and brake lights due to the difference in resistance, it will cause an error message to appear on the dash if you use normal LEDs.

They are quite cheap to buy and do look better than normal bulbs and due to their nature, they light up quicker and brighter.

Yeah I will look for some. Will they be brighter even in the reflector? As in would normal bulbs work better in the reflector than led bulbs would?

You can get LED bulbs which have multiple diodes placed in clusters around the fitting so they'll illuminate the reflectors.

I have these type fitted in my DRLs and they look much better than the standard bulbs and illuminate my garage if the light is turned off as the position of the diodes reflect off the light units.

They're quite cheap to buy so just get one set to start off with and see what you think.

  • Author

You can get LED bulbs which have multiple diodes placed in clusters around the fitting so they'll illuminate the reflectors.

I have these type fitted in my DRLs and they look much better than the standard bulbs and illuminate my garage if the light is turned off as the position of the diodes reflect off the light units.

They're quite cheap to buy so just get one set to start off with and see what you think.

Think I've seen them and they look really good, they will be the next ones i will be getting.. Cheers

  • Author

You can get LED bulbs which have multiple diodes placed in clusters around the fitting so they'll illuminate the reflectors.

I have these type fitted in my DRLs and they look much better than the standard bulbs and illuminate my garage if the light is turned off as the position of the diodes reflect off the light units.

They're quite cheap to buy so just get one set to start off with and see what you think.

Also, could you send me a link to these DRLs please? Or similar to yours

With indicators you may need some resistors/ diodes to make them flash at the correct time, otherwise they may flash too quickly I believe

    •
    • Like 1

    With indicators you may need some resistors/ diodes to make them flash at the correct time, otherwise they may flash too quickly I believe

    This!

    Not got any experience with doing it on cars, but on motorbikes LED indicators need a resistor or they'll flash a million times a minute. (Okay, maybe not that much)

    • Like 1

    Indicators and brake lights perform critical functions. Most aftermarket substitute LEDs will perform badly compared to the original incandescent bulb, particularly light distribution and angle as well as brightness. The optical design of the cluster is specific to the type of bulb.

     

    If you insist on fitting them (for vanity purposes I presume) be sure to inform your insurance company as its more than possible the "I didn't see any indicator etc" argument, will prompt questions from accident investigators.

     

    Personally I find the sharp response of LEDs and the artificial spectrum of leds , coupled with multiplexing in some cars, are nowhere near as good at commanding attention or as effective as traditional filament bulbs

    Save your money and get some chrome bulbs for a few quid looks loads better to me

    • Author

    Indicators and brake lights perform critical functions. Most aftermarket substitute LEDs will perform badly compared to the original incandescent bulb, particularly light distribution and angle as well as brightness. The optical design of the cluster is specific to the type of bulb.

     

    If you insist on fitting them (for vanity purposes I presume) be sure to inform your insurance company as its more than possible the "I didn't see any indicator etc" argument, will prompt questions from accident investigators.

     

    Personally I find the sharp response of LEDs and the artificial spectrum of leds , coupled with multiplexing in some cars, are nowhere near as good at commanding attention or as effective as traditional filament bulbs

    Well said, think i'll stick to bulbs lol

    • Author

    Save your money and get some chrome bulbs for a few quid looks loads better to me

    What are they? Any more info would be appreciated..maybe a link?

    What are they? Any more info would be appreciated..maybe a link?

    Philips do these...

    http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/581-PY21W-Philips-Silver-Vision-indicator-bulbs.html

    Or theres cheaper ebay ones which many love, or you could spray then yourself.

    These wont give a more prominent on/off like led's will. Theyre just normal bulbs which glow silver, but blend in better to the housing when turned off.

    They dont give that egg yoke effect that orange bulbs do

    • Like 2

    Philips do these...

    http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/581-PY21W-Philips-Silver-Vision-indicator-bulbs.html

    Or theres cheaper ebay ones which many love, or you could spray then yourself.

    These wont give a more prominent on/off like led's will. Theyre just normal bulbs which glow silver, but blend in better to the housing when turned off.

    They dont give that egg yoke effect that orange bulbs do

    Cheap spraying FTW :) done them on my Clio - think I'm secretly from Yorkshire! They are brilliant
    • Like 1
    • Author

    Philips do these...

    http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/581-PY21W-Philips-Silver-Vision-indicator-bulbs.html

    Or theres cheaper ebay ones which many love, or you could spray then yourself.

    These wont give a more prominent on/off like led's will. Theyre just normal bulbs which glow silver, but blend in better to the housing when turned off.

    They dont give that egg yoke effect that orange bulbs do

    Perfect, thanks will look into them

    •
    • Like 1

    No worries mate

    Have a look on ebay also

    Sent from my Galaxy S5

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