1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Replacement Of All Bulbs, Except Headlights, With Led

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Uncle Vin, Oct 1, 2021.

  1. Oct 1, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    348
    I have a 67' Dauntless which is all completely stock. The jeep still has the Spartan signal switch as well. All lights work, including the blinkers. I am interested in converting all to LED bulbs. I have conducted some preliminary research, but I want to get input from the members on this site, as nobody knows our old CJs better than us. Please chime in.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2021
    Criss likes this.
  2. Oct 1, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Apart from a simple flasher replacement I don't see any issues other than perhaps if you have an alternator/genny charge indicator, that would not react well to a bulb change.
     
  3. Oct 1, 2021
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2008
    Messages:
    348
    Howard: Can you point me to a specific flasher that you have in mind?
     
  4. Oct 1, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I’m running all LEDs except the headlights in mine. Any auto parts store will have generic two- or three-prong flasher units that are electronic that say “LED compatible” on them. They maintain the same flash time regardless of amp draw.

    Besides the amp light issue that Howard mentioned, there’s really nothing to it. LEDs come in 1056, 1057 and 1057A equivalent sizes, just labeled “LED” after the number. It’s plug and play.
     
  5. Oct 1, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Like itlksez says, really any 'electronic" flasher will do if it has the right number of pins- just grab one off the shelf at your local FLAPS, they'll probably have the led bulbs as well.
     
  6. Oct 1, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Messages:
    545
  7. Oct 2, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,459
  8. Oct 2, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    I did this on my '67, and had no issues with it at all.

    I've only noticed one difference after installing an electronic flasher and LED bulbs in the turn signal & brake lamps (besides the fact that they're now a lot brighter than they were with incandescent bulbs). For some odd reason, the indicator light on the turn signal switch now flashes longer than it used to.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2021
  9. Oct 3, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    LEDs are different from incandescent bulbs.

    First, they are polar. They have a positive (+) and a negative (-) which must be connected correctly for them to light. These are diodes (Light Emitting Diodes) and they either block or pass current, depending on the polarity.

    Second, they will not tolerate unlimited current. The amount of light they produce is determined by the current; more current equals more light. You can limit the current by stringing a bunch of them together, or by putting a resistor in series with the LED. If you have an LED with a maximum current of 100ma, and a barrier potential of 2 volts, a series resistor of 100 ohms will limit the current. Ohm's law: (12 - 2)/0.1 = 100. If you purchse plug-in replacement bulbs, they should already account for this.

    Finally, they use a lot less current to make the same amount of light. Randomly picking some numbers off the web, the bright filament in an 1157 is 21 watts (I = P/V = 1.75 amps) while the equivalent LED makes 5 watts (5/12 = 417 milliamps). This is why your flashers either don't work or are slow. The traditional mechanical flasher can uses a bimetal switch that opens and closes as it heats and cools from its internal resistance. Less current, less heating, slower (or no) cycle. The "electronic" flashers use a timer chip that opens and closes the same, regardless of the current.
     
    maurywhurt likes this.
  10. Oct 3, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I used the SuperBright replacement bulbs in the dash of my VW. Worked well, very bright and dimmable.
     
  11. Oct 4, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    Here's what I used:

    Amber Parking / Turn Signal Lights: 2X AUXITO 1157 Amber yellow LED Turn Signal Parking Light Bulb Error Free EOA | eBay (I tried the SuperBright amber bulbs first, but ended up liking these better).

    Red Taillights: From Super Bright LEDs: (Red) 1157 LED Bulb - Dual Function 27 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb | Super Bright LEDs

    Flasher: Amazon.com: CEC Industries 12V Heavy Duty 3-Pin Electronic Flasher EF33RL Relay for LED and Incandescent Bulbs (1-Pack) : Automotive

    I installed halogen headlights that very closely resemble the stock ones, but are a good bit brighter. I used these: (Amazon.com: GE Lighting H6024NH Nighthawk Automotive Halogen Sealed Beam Headlight Bulb : Automotive,) but there are several different brands / models available.

    Also....I almost forgot that I replaced the bulbs in the speedometer gauge cluster with LED's. The first ones I tried were actually a bit too bright, and I ended up using these: Amazon.com: Ruiandsion 2pcs BA9S LED Bulbs 0.5W AC 12V Yellow COB 1SMD LED Car Interior Dome Map Light,Non-polarity : Automotive
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2021
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  12. Oct 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The non-polar LED bulbs probably use two LEDs, connected in opposite polarity. Only the LED with proper polarity lights. If they ever quit, you should be able to turn them around and use the other LED.
     
    maurywhurt likes this.
  13. Oct 4, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    Thanks, Tim, I was wondering about that....
     
  14. Oct 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Yeah, I presume. That would be the easy way to do it. The SMD LEDs are really cheap now, compared to the price of the finished product. And they don't need to be high-spec if they don't make a lot of light. If you test one with a battery or other 12V source, you might be able to see one side light up and then the other side.
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2021
    maurywhurt likes this.
  15. Oct 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
New Posts