I would like to replace my brake light bulbs with LEDs. Jim Franzen has retired and closed culayer. Any recommendations? I assume the flasher may also need to be replaced.
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I have CU’s lights but teardrop style, I think any good LED that fits the socket but is coloured like your lense should work. So long as it has led’s all around to act like a normal bulb. Some have tried white but in a red glass they do not give as good an effect. But hey what do I know I have Jim’s .
That's a good tip from Ray: Make sure the colors match, red LED bulb for red lenses, amber for amber, etc.
Beehives usually take an 1157 bulb, so look for an LED replacement bulb for that. You will need to change the flasher to one that is LED compatible. You can find them on Amazon or at your local FLAPS.
Anyone have experience with CANBUS LEDs? I am told you don’t need to change the flasher. Not that is a big deal.
Our cars don't have a CANBUS and a lighting CPU, so I'm not sure how you'd make that work.
I bought a pair of 1156 (brake) and 1157 (Tail/Directional) Red LED conversion bulbs at Autozone and put them in. That is the "MUSBJIM" preffered method and they work well.
I'm using an antique OEM VW flasher unit which saw the LEDs as failed bulbs and wouldn't blink, so I had to put in a pair of 10 watt resistors in series with the directional bulbs. Those resistors are also available at Autozone, and that made the flasher work again, because in Massachusetts we have to
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@JMM (Michael). What I read about CANBUS is that CANBUS-compatible LED bulbs are designed with built-in resistors or electronic components that mimic the power draw of traditional incandescent bulbs. This design ensures that the flasher recognizes the LED bulbs as if they were standard bulbs. I put some in my 1973 911E without changing the flasher.
Jim
Am I a bad person in that I read "CANBUS" as "CANNABIS"?
Jim, Aha! Sounds like a plan
Lane, Yes.
Where can I purchase the rubber seals that go around the beehive lights on an IM? Mine are dried out and before I dissemble the lights I thought it would be wise to have replacements. The ones I see on the web for beehives are made so the screws are exposed. Can’t seem to find a diagram or seal for ones without screws being visible as in picture in original post.