Bulbs Versus LED

[69Ford]

Two pics taken with same camera one with LED's one with Bulbs. The picture with bulbs I took several times my camera would not focus on it. Not enough light I think. These are white LED's WOW

[69Ford]

Also these are two different gauge sets restored the same way. The one with bulbs original used gauges. The LED gauges NOS. So the numbers are a little brighter. Thanks for looking

[68RGR]

Did you use LEDs mounted in a lamp base or did you wire them directly?

Either way, what LEDs were used?

How well do they dim?

[sargentrs]

Looks great! More details please.

[Mancar1]

and looks

[Calfdemon]

I also want to know exactly what LED bulbs you used!

[toddspeed]

looks great - yes details please!

[69Ford]

I used bulbs I bought from White Gauges. They sell a lot of dash white gauges and gauge restoration products on Ebay. I bought them this way. The bulbs fit right into the original socket about $5 each They don't dim on my variable voltage power supply. I haven't tried dimming them in the truck yet. had them installed but didn't think of dimming them. Also they come in different colors so I may run with clear plastic over the blinkers and high beam signals. Also I heard you have to run an electronic blinker to use them on your blinker lights something to do with not drawing enough current to make the blinker work correctly. Advantage less current draw and no heat buildup. We all know how much our wires are overtasked already. Oh I forgot they also look awesome. Here's a picture of a blue one I know its a little blurry but I'm in a hurry. Also buy the NAPA blinker cheap and looks nice and original sound installed.

[ToughOldFord]

Wow is right, looks great!

[68RGR]

LEDs can be dimmed but the effect might be a bit different than with normal bulbs. And, the voltage range for dimming might be different. It will depend on the specs for the LEDs used and the configuration.

Even though I have been using LEDs for years in electronics projects, I have not been a big fan of replacing brake lights, etc with LEDs. But, for the dash, you can literally see the benefit.

I found some LED replacement "bulbs" for the 1895 lamps in the F100 gauge clusters. They use 7 LEDs each. Normally, an LED needs around 2 volts at maybe 20 ma to operate properly. So, 7 of them in series might need something closer to 14 volts. Sound familiar?

While the ones I found are not exactly like the ones in the photo above, they are quite a bit less expensive - 20 of them for $8.48 delivered. Or, for single LED "bulbs", even less at 20 for $5.69. Not sure if the single LED units will be bright enough but the 7 LED ones could be. No "brightness" specs (CP, lumens, etc) are provided. And, the fact that the blue "bulb" pictured above has 4 LEDs doesn't mean it is dimmer or brighter than the ones with 7 LEDs. LEDs have different light outputs so 4 of a particular type could be just as bright, or brighter, than 7 of a different type.

See:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360690418521

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360778960930

There might even be some better deals (not to mention more complete specs) if you take the time to look through the 2058 results you get after searching for "led bulb 1895"!

I have no connection to the seller.

But, I do know one thing - I will (at least) be replacing the turn signal indicator bulbs with something like this! Of course, I could also use a new lens for the gauge cluster . . .

Anyone got one they are willing to part with . . . Cheap?

[abyars111]

Those bulbs made a big difference. I'll be using them in my upcoming F600 dash restoration.

In regards to using an electronic flasher. It's not needed unless all the bulbs in the turn signal system are changed to LEDs. For instance, I run LED turn signal bulbs on the rear of my '55 Chevy car. I have the stock incandescent bulbs up front and in the dash and they produce enough current draw for the standard flasher to work correctly. I have a friend who has LEDs in the front and rear of his car but he left the incandescent bulbs in the dash and the flasher doesn't work. I believe that just changing the bulbs in the dash to LEDs want affect the flasher operation.

[69Ford]

What bulbs did you use I see 68RGR posted a reply about other manufacture's that are cheaper just wondering if you tried them Thanks for your info on the flashers.

Those bulbs made a big difference. I'll be using them in my upcoming F600 dash restoration.

In regards to using an electronic flasher. It's not needed unless all the bulbs in the turn signal system are changed to LEDs. For instance, I run LED turn signal bulbs on the rear of my '55 Chevy car. I have the stock incandescent bulbs up front and in the dash and they produce enough current draw for the standard flasher to work correctly. I have a friend who has LEDs in the front and rear of his car but he left the incandescent bulbs in the dash and the flasher doesn't work. I believe that just changing the bulbs in the dash to LEDs want affect the flasher operation.

[abyars111]

I'm using a LED circuit board made by Technostalgia on my 55' Chevy car instead of the socket type. http://www.cool-leds.com The board mounts behind the taillight lens and has several LEDs spread out. It's a nice unit and much brighter than the stock single bulb. They also make them for our trucks. I kept having trouble in my car keeping the bulb base grounded so I installed these in 2006. People notice them. They have the flash feature. Hit your brakes and they flash quickly twice then stay on. They also double as the turn signals. You have to remove the bulb socket and splice the wiring.

[Calfdemon]

When I had my 67 Firebird, I upgraded the rear lights to circut board LEDs and it made a HUGE difference. The stock bulbs were too dim and I was worried that someone was going to drive right up my ass when I hit the brakes. Once I ran the LEDs, those things blinded people.

Based on that, I was contemplating running LED's on the crew cab as well. I see that LMC has 2 sets which are really not that much as far as full circuit board LED replacements go. Are either one of these the ones you are talking about, Anthony? And if not, has anyone used either of these and have any feedback on them? The top set has the built in quick flash when you hit the brakes and that set looks like it needs to be wired in. The 2nd set does not have the flash, but looks to plug directly in to the existing bulb socket (and they are cheaper). I was thinking of buying a set of the cheaper LED's..

Here are the ones I am talking about: https://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=65

***EDIT: Upon looking at the site you linked to Anthony, the top kit does appear to be the exact same kit from Technostalgia in their Ford section (only $10 more expensive). At least the picture of the components included and the circuit boards look identical. So I will consider that kit a good review. I am not sure I want the flashing brake lights though and like the idea of the direct plug in so I can go back stock at a later time if I want. So still thinking of the cheaper set.

[abyars111]

Rich, I think you are right, they look like the units made by Technostalgia. I will say that Eckler's sells the bulb base plug in type for Tri-5 Chevy's and I have heard a few failures on those. Eckler's units are made in China. I've never heard anyone complain about Technostalgia. Back when I bought my set Technostalgia bought circuit boards overseas but assembled them in house with American sourced parts. Technostalgia units let you select between flashing and steady brake lights. I can understand you wanting the ability to go back stock as well.