Bulb/LED Question - Sorted! Pic Page 3

Post by **Pushki** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:02 am

I decided to upgrade my rear numberplate lights.

I ordered these.
They're T15 W16W. I then found some text on the light unit that says W5W 8W #168.

From the limited research I've done, they will fit in the sockets (I think), but will they damage my electrics?

I know nothing about electrics! Volts, amps, watts, ohms. It all baffles me!

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:05 am

Nah it'll be fine as long as it fits nice. Might be a bit bright tho.

I got white LED ones. First batch went all flashy after a few months. Got sent free replacements. Look pretty nice more modern blue/white than oldie off yellow.

Post by **Pushki** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:19 am

Thanks Judderod!

I'm slightly worried about the brightness level.
I'll try them and if they're too bright I'll get the right ones.

Post by **Merlin** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 am

Get IndigoLemon's thoughts as well. He has LED rear bulbs. They may throw the brake warning light.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:36 am

they mess up the back-up light circuit on my type S. it needs to 'see' a given value of resistance on the circuit or it thinks bulbs are out or the circuit is compromised.

to solve this you need to put a resisor inline to fool the circuit into thinking all is as it should be.

something 'like' this

but not this

Post by **indigolemon** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:41 am

I have LED number plate bulbs (not canbus) in mine, no problems at all - straight swap and running sweetly. The pain in the bum is the led brake light bulbs, and here is where I reveal my OCD tendencies ...

With filament brake light bulbs, and the LED spoiler brake light, the spoiler always lights first. It's only a fraction of a second quicker, but you notice it, and this bothers me. So I bought some LED brake light bulbs. Sadly, this triggers the 'brake lamp' warning circuit, and so, I did this:

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/wiki/in ... ning_light

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:42 am

I swapped my rear plate bulbe to LEDs without any canbus gubbins with no issues, mind the car has only been driven for a mile and a half since then, that was 2 years ago.

Post by **indigolemon** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:43 am

This ^ Pushki, your bulbs are listed as "Canbus" - so yours have a resistor in-line already as part of the bulb so they draw the same as regular filament ones

Post by **Pushki** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:57 am

Thanks guys! I was just worried about the wires melting or the fuses blowing.

I should have them in a day or two. If they're no good, I can put the old yellow bulbs back in.

I have reverse and rear fog LEDs already fitted without any problems.
I've no immediate plans to swap the rear/brake light bulbs. Maybe when they need replacing.

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:05 pm

indigolemon wrote:With filament brake light bulbs, and the LED spoiler brake light, the spoiler always lights first. It's only a fraction of a second quicker, but you notice it, and this bothers me. So I bought some LED brake light bulbs. Sadly, this triggers the 'brake lamp' warning circuit, and so, I did this:

Probably a bit late now, but Philips do some fast response brake/tail lights. They are brighter and light up something like 33% faster, the idea being whoever's behing you knows you're braking sooner, hence effectively increasing their stopping distance.