Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

bikermike wrote:I installed LEDs for the rear tail / brake lights and the flickering up front when braking has been resolved.

i gotta see those rears in person!
where's the video

^ditto for me

I used the more conventional 1157 led replacements. I had to replace the blinker with a small electronic circuit because the original blinker does not work with the more efficient led lamps. Sure, you can add resistors or "dummy" loads to trick the blinker but I didn't want to. When I originally read this thread I got an idea. The normal way the blinkers work is the running lights are on and the blinkers make the bulb brighter. What I did and this is only on the rear lights, I disconnected the running lights and added a 10 volt regulator between the running light circuit and the brake lights. When the turn signal is activated, the bulb blinks on and off from whichever state they are in, off or dim running or bright brake. It is a lot more noticeable. This along with my BRIGHT third light on the roll bar should help keep bumpers out of my trunk!

Spyder,
Did you use the original blinker can or a HD can? I'm wondering if that would work.
The roll bar light is a good idea

Linda

This evening I met up with Mike to check out his LED tail lights
The running lights and braking lights are noticeably brighter than my old, incandescents.
I think this a wonderful upgrade for helping visibility...here are few comparison pics:
running:

brake:

farther away:

I'll take some pics tomorrow with LEDs on one side and indandescents on the other to ensure the camera exposure is the same, but they are pretty bright.
For those of you interested, you can search ebay for "high power" or "CREE" LEDs. The LEDs should match the color of your lens. 1157 would be for dual function bulbs and 1156 for single function.

Garm, what's the ETA on your shipment? Turn signals are next.

The Roadster purists will notice I have the brake/tail lights up top. That's intentional for visibility.

it's on the way. I'm out of town for a week though. You all get a break from my pesky posts, woooo!

The way I did it was to remove the dim / running tab on the rear led bulbs *(did not want to modify the wiring) than route a lower voltage from the running light circuit to the brake switch terminal. When the running lights are turned on the "brake" portion of the rear leds glows at the lower level.

This is one of those "impulse" purchases on eBay. But I'd love to support you Garm. So hurry up and make this week go by. I want to see how yours look!

What are the led rears. Brake and running leds?

On a '67.5 with stock wiring and sockets:

1157 bulbs would be brake and running
1156 bulbs would be turn signals

I currently have LEDs only for the brake/running lights.

(Holding off on turn signals until Garm hooks us up)

Garm:
Whatever happened with this? Do you have these available or not?

Are these the same?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260969384348?re ... 5750wt_922" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Linda

There are 2 types of switchback bulbs:
Amber - Off: the white running light is totally off during the turn signal operation
Amber - White: the bulb will cycle amber to white during turn signal operation

Descriptions are the bottom of this page:
http://autolumination.com/switchback_wiring.html

I believe the less expensive ones are Amber-White.

I prefer the Amber - Off type. I think they are more noticable.

I would confirm with any ebay seller on what type they are listing.

As for the tower style bulbs, since LEDs are directional, I don't think there is much benefit from all those LEDs on the sides when installed in our housings. It also may be a tight fit. I opted for the projector style.

If the ones you found are cheap enough you can give them a try and report back.

Mike,
after driving with you several times and noticing how visible your turn signals/running lamps are I am considering using the switchbacks.

-Can I use these bulbs only in the front? What do I need to properly run them?
-If I want to run them in the back as well what do I need?
thanks!

From your grille post I gather you want to run clear lenses. To duplicate my setup you'd want the switchback 1157 LEDs (white + amber combo bulb) on the front with clear lenses. Then front running/parking lights would be white and turn signals would be amber.

Another option would be to run amber bulbs with the clear lenses, but of course there will be no "switching back" between amber and white.

You wouldn't run the amber / white on the back. My understanding w/ LEDs the bulb should match the lens color for best results if not using clear lenses. You have amber rear turn signals, right? If you do not alter your '67.5 wiring, you'd want amber 1156 bulbs for turn signals and red 1157 bulbs for brakes/running.

You may need LED compatible flasher cans for turn signal and hazards.

I like the high power projector type bulbs noted earlier in this thread.