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Hey, I know you said you are out of stock, but I just bought some T10 bulbs for brake lights on my wife's HHR......... and theyre nothing short of crap. Any chance you have some really good bright T10 lights lying around, or are there any you could recommend?
This is what I bought and am severely underwhelmed....
TL;DR: To replace an exterior light with LEDs a custom aftermarket enclosure is generally required. It's expensive and it doesn't really improve function. Stock brake lights get the job done in most cases, so compared to interior lights, the bar is set pretty high.
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LEDs work easily for interior lamps because stock lights are a crappy starting point.
Due to safety regulations, stock exterior bulbs generally work really well - it's rare that I see a car and think "wow, those brake lights are ****ty" and even when I do, I suspect the issue is mostly maintenance - an electrical problem, really old bulbs, or dirt in/on the lamp lens.
The other big difference is that LEDs emit light directionally compared to stock bulbs that output light in a near 360 degree dome pattern. The stock lamp housings have reflectors that focus this dome light pattern in the directions it needs to go. LEDs on the other hand, need to have a chip pointing in all the desired directions or possibly a fancy reflector design that can take a single high power LED and spread the light out over a large area. A lot of LED enclosures have an insect-eye pattern for this reason.
As far as the LEDs in the link, they're probably not a very good quality - price is not always, but often a good indicator of quality. For comparison, the main interior lights that go in the kits I sell cost me $1.50 to $4 per piece and that's a wholesale price.
Check this out for an example of an LED brake light that seems to have a good design.
If you're looking for reverse lights I got these for my MK and they are the brightest awesome reverse lights I have ever seen in a vehicle. Different bulb base but they might make one? http://m.ebay.com/itm/281640608501?rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Ftype%3D3%26campId%3D5336714545%26toolId%3D10001%26customId%3Disgurfdwbs0007xg00004%26mpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fitm%252F2X-Error-Free-T15-T10-High-Power-15W-LED-Backup-Reverse-High-Stop-Light-921-912%252F281640608501%253F_trksid%253Dp3693.c100102.m2452%2526_trkparms%253Dao%25253D1%252526asc%25253D20140212121249%252526meid%25253D5b0a5f8b4da44a4c95ea060ee8f70804%252526pid%25253D100102%252526%26srcrot%3D711-53200-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D1084945759301&_trkparms=ao%3D1&asc=20140212121249&meid=5b0a5f8b4da44a4c95ea060ee8f70804&pid=100102&_trksid=p3693.c100102.m2452&_mwBanner=1&ul_noapp=true
TL;DR: To replace an exterior light with LEDs a custom aftermarket enclosure is generally required. It's expensive and it doesn't really improve function. Stock brake lights get the job done in most cases, so compared to interior lights, the bar is set pretty high.
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LEDs work easily for interior lamps because stock lights are a crappy starting point.
Due to safety regulations, stock exterior bulbs generally work really well - it's rare that I see a car and think "wow, those brake lights are ****ty" and even when I do, I suspect the issue is mostly maintenance - an electrical problem, really old bulbs, or dirt in/on the lamp lens.
The other big difference is that LEDs emit light directionally compared to stock bulbs that output light in a near 360 degree dome pattern. The stock lamp housings have reflectors that focus this dome light pattern in the directions it needs to go. LEDs on the other hand, need to have a chip pointing in all the desired directions or possibly a fancy reflector design that can take a single high power LED and spread the light out over a large area. A lot of LED enclosures have an insect-eye pattern for this reason.
As far as the LEDs in the link, they're probably not a very good quality - price is not always, but often a good indicator of quality. For comparison, the main interior lights that go in the kits I sell cost me $1.50 to $4 per piece and that's a wholesale price.
Check this out for an example of an LED brake light that seems to have a good design.
I get what youre saying, theyre just for the 3rd brake light that's attached to the hatch not the actual brake lights themselves.
These will fit my application too as they are T15/T10.... might be worth looking into.
I looked at the listing and deep in the body of that thing, it says it's a T15 base. If you need a T15, it should fit (at least at the base). For a T10 socket, it shouldn't fit.
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As far as the interior LEDs, I expect all sets to be back in stock by next week (aside from the WJ set - that's probably a couple months away). Once they are back in stock, shipping is going to be even better - faster and (hopefully) fewer errors.
I looked at the listing and deep in the body of that thing, it says it's a T15 base. If you need a T15, it should fit (at least at the base). For a T10 socket, it shouldn't fit.
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As far as the interior LEDs, I expect all sets to be back in stock by next week (aside from the WJ set - that's probably a couple months away). Once they are back in stock, shipping is going to be even better - faster and (hopefully) fewer errors.
So I'm researching this and from what i see the base is the same on T10 and T15s..... but the bulb size is different... is that not the case?
● T10/T12/T13/T15 Wedge(194 906):
* T”x”(T10/T12..etc.), “x” stands for the width on the top of bulb, there is nothing to do with the socket, basically T8/T10/T12/T13/T15 use the same socket in 10mm, that’s what we usually call T10 socket.
Features & Application : 1. 12VDC: Car/Motorcycle/Scooter 24VDC: Truck/Trailer/Boat(some boats are compatible in both 12/24V) 2. Usually for SIGNAL/TURN/INDICATOR/LINCENSE PLATE/ GAUGE DASHBOARD/INTERIOR LIGHT( Depends on types of vehicles)
Mutual Replaced By or usually well known to call : W5W 147 152 158 159 161 168 184 192 193 194 259 280 285 447 464 501 555 558 585 655 656 657 1250 1251 1252 2450 2652 2921 2825 PC 175 2886X 579 901 904 908 909 912 914 915 916 917 918 920 921 922 923 926 927 928 939
So I'm researching this and from what i see the base is the same on T10 and T15s..... but the bulb size is different... is that not the case?
I think you're right. I made the incorrect assumption that the T5 being almost 5mm wide and the T10 being 10mm wide was something that extended to the T15 and above.
I deal with smaller lights, so it never came up directly for me. That is, when I need a T10 to fit in a certain area, I find out what limits I have in the enclosure and find something that fits and gets light there it should be.
Crazy. In other news, I got a new order of lights! If only I had a spare several hours to test, prepare, and package them into sets.
I think you're right. I made the incorrect assumption that the T5 being almost 5mm wide and the T10 being 10mm wide was something that extended to the T15 and above.
I deal with smaller lights, so it never came up directly for me. That is, when I need a T10 to fit in a certain area, I find out what limits I have in the enclosure and find something that fits and gets light there it should be.
Crazy. In other news, I got a new order of lights! If only I had a spare several hours to test, prepare, and package them into sets.
My Green Set is still going strong!!! Great stuff!
My Green Set is still going strong!!! Great stuff!
Please let me know if that changes. My only real concern is in the rocker switch lights. They tested really well in the office, but it is hard to simulate time and the hot-cold cycles these things go through in normal use.
Good luck with the exterior light.
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As far as light sets go, I can make a set of any type if anyone is interested, but doesn't want to wait until next week.
I have lights to build any interior XJ, ZJ, and TJ set ($35) and instrument sets (white, blue, or green) for the XJ and TJ ($25 - $30)
I'll make an LED strip setup for the 97-01 XJ climate control panel for $20 shipped. These sets are made in white, blue, or green as the main backlight color and they all have red leds behind the heat part of the climate control panel. The pic below is of the white setup. I only have time to make them on weekends, so there will be a delay compared to everything else. As long as I'm still making them, I'll support them - if there are problems, replacements sent in the first year are shipped at my cost - after that, buyer picks up shipping. I'll need some information about the failure and might need it shipped back. The similar setup in my XJ has been working with no problems for more than a year, so I don't anticipate a lot of issues. (see below for pics). I think $20 is a lot of money for this improvement, but with the time to make these, I can't do it for less. *I also recommend, but don't supply glue. There is adhesive backing on the LED strips themselves, but there is nothing to secure the wires between the strips. I suggest high temp hot glue, but people have used epoxy, superglue, and even rtv sealant.
I'm trying to get a wire manufactured so I can make better dome lights for certain ZJ and XJ models. I put a pic of it below - I'm a total CAD noob. The drawing is a line model showing the center path of a 1mm diameter wire.
When that stupid wire is done, I'll work on getting a new light designed for the WJ. The WJ set is excellent except that the front lights can't be turned on individually. When that is fixed, I look forward to making WJ sets again.
Just finished my overhead console install so I had to order these
Thanks for the order. Did you order yesterday?
If I had accessories that needed switches, I'd be all over a new switch panel! I'm thinking about trying some new high-powered back-up lights and it would be nice to have a switch so I could turn them on manually. If I go that route, I'll be getting one of your panels. Another thing I'd like is a USB port that operates even while the vehicle is off.
With this and the other orders this weekend, I should be able to get the wire design for the 98-01XJ and 93-98ZJ finalized. I'm really excited about that.
The WJ overhead console light is looking like it might become reality too.
I could really use reviews on a shopping reviews website. If you would, please let me know. I'd appreciate it.
As always, if anyone has something about their light set that they don't like, let me know that too. All sets have seen improvements in the last year, so it's likely the issue has been addressed or will be shortly.
If I had accessories that needed switches, I'd be all over a new switch panel! I'm thinking about trying some new high-powered back-up lights and it would be nice to have a switch so I could turn them on manually. If I go that route, I'll be getting one of your panels.
I certainly appreciate it
Originally Posted by akasnajo
Another thing I'd like is a USB port that operates even while the vehicle is off.
That's what I have now, with the blue sea 1039 wired in to the right side power socket so it stays on all the time.
I'm satisfied with all the XJ and ZJ sets. There are some small improvements still in the works, but they mostly make things easier for me. Functionally, there are no more improvements planned.
So, What now?
Interior color sets? Not enough demand, I think.
Instrument sets - I could add a red set, but there really isn't much demand for blue and green, so I think red is a bit of a stretch.
Exterior Jeep lights (brakes, headlights, fog lamps, etc)? Complicated, expensive, requires navigating federal safety regulations.
Off-Road lights? Is there anything missing? I feel like I could spend an hour on Amazon and have everything I need to turn my XJ into a disco ball / mini sun. But, the factory that makes most of the interior lights I use also makes exterior lamps. If their quality with those is anything like their interior lights, I would consider it.
Refrigerator light kits? I've been toying with the idea of making an LED light set for inside my fridge and freezer.
I'd like to come up with dimmable LEDs for the sun visor lights - or some kind of backlight panel that can be fit behind the clear lens. Ideally, it would be capable of dimming, but it would be fine if it didn't.
Anyway - I think I'm done with XJ light kits unless there is something else I can work on. Maybe LED back-up lights (plug-and-play) and a good quality license plate LED?
