LED bulbs for taillight?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: LED bulbs for taillight?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Sacchi on Thursday, September 13, 2012 - 10:31 pm:

Hi everyone,

I want to get LED bulbs for the taillights on my 1924 touring car -

The problem is that since the socket inside the taillight assembly points to the side (parallel to the back of the car) and that LED bulbs tend to be directional, the beam is not thrown through the lens.

Is there a bulb available that will work in this application?

Thanks,

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Thursday, September 13, 2012 - 10:41 pm:

How about a small piece of plastic mirror plexiglass cut to set in at a 45degree angle to throw the led rays out the lens. Or heat the plexiglass with a hair dryer and bend it in a semi circle to redirect the led. Use some silicone sealer to secure it in place.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Thursday, September 13, 2012 - 10:44 pm:

Lining the inside of your tail light(s) with aluminum foil might be a simple fix.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Friday, September 14, 2012 - 09:07 pm:

I can make custom LED lights, if need be. They typically aren't as pretty as professionally made ones, but they sure do work well.

PM me if you're interested.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willard Revaz on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 06:32 pm:

Check out www.superbrightleds.com/

They have angled base LEDS which might suit your tail light.

They also come in 6 volt and various pin configurations.

Be sure to use a RED LED when going through a red lens in your taillight. A white LED will have most of its light absorbed by a red lens.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george house on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 05:22 pm:

I just bought a cheap $6 LED light at TSC to use in my kerosene tail for my '19 centerdoor. Since it has a little magnet on it, I can easily detach and use it in the '14. Driving a very slow black car at night is a very bad idea since the invention of texting cell phones, CDs and driver side make up mirrors.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Sacchi on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 02:50 am:

Willard,

Thanks for the tip. - they have what looks like the ticket, an LED bulb that has an adjustable right angle, and pretty reasonably priced, too.

I will give them a try and report back....

Bob S.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 12:42 pm:

Bob - which LED are you referring to? Are you using this type of tail light?
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/1292


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 05:13 pm:

One note of caution. I have tried LED 2 element bulbs for tail/brake lights. The brake light worked great but the running light that is to come on with the headlights was very ground sensitive and wouldn't work well. I switched back to double element halogen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 09:41 am:

It might draw some flak from some purists, but hey safety is safety. My friend went to Walmart and bought some LED bicycle taillights for his 27 touring. They come with flexible arms that you use to wire them on. We mounted them on the top saddle irons. Just push the button and they light up. between the two of them and the stock taillight, it was hard to miss us when we were out motoring. The best part? Nobody would be yelling at us about having a taillight out. haha


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 09:51 am:

Thanks Jared, that's a simple alternative and a good idea. I'll take a look at Wallyworld.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 10:43 am:

I also go to TSC for my night driving tail light. TSC sells an amber colored one that has LED bulbs and measures 6" X 4" with a magnetic base. If you have a steel body car it can be quickly stuck on which ever car you are using that night. IT IS BRIGHT
Warning, flashing red is for emergency vehicles only, so if you use the flash mode, you better have the amber light not the red. A local cop explained that to me one night.
If you get caught with some of those purist, it can be quickly taken off.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 11:24 am:

Willie - I think I bought that light a few days ago. "2 Function Magnetic LED Amber Safety Light", SKU Number: 2830053

Its very bright an will do until I find something that is a little more pleasing. A bargain at $25.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 02:18 pm:

That's another upside to the bicycle taillights. A lot of them have a steady or flasher built in, so if something were to go wrong with your car you can pull over and turn on the flashers. Instant hazard lights.


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