led taillight

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Ralph F
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:09 pm
First Name: Ralph
Last Name: Fitz-Gerald
Location: Monkton, Vermont

led taillight

Post by Ralph F » Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:08 pm

I know there has been a lot of discussion about led head light for model t but, has any one found one for a 15 taillight?
thank


Moxie26
Posts: 1315
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
MTFCA Number: 407
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: led taillight

Post by Moxie26 » Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:09 pm

The 15's had kerosene tail lights , electric lights did not come in until 1919


Luke
Posts: 585
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 1:04 am
First Name: Luke
Last Name: P
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926
Location: New Zealand

Re: led taillight

Post by Luke » Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:13 pm

Ralph,

Mindful of Robert's comment I assume you've got a converted lamp?

Perhaps if you could provide some more detail on that, and/or show a photograph of the socket, it should be possible to point you towards a suitable LED lamp.

Luke.


mtntee20
Posts: 527
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:51 pm
First Name: Terry & Sharon
Last Name: Miller
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 Center Door, 1920 TTWood cab Farm Truck with cable dump grain bed, 1920 TT C-Cab with express bed, 1927 Wood body Dairy Delivery truck
Location: Westminster, CO
MTFCA Number: 32583
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: led taillight

Post by mtntee20 » Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:29 pm

I purchased some 6 volt BAY15D sockets. These will take a double element (1157) standard OR LED light "bulb". These have two wires, one to each base contact and ground through the housing. You will find them in different configurations meaning, 2 ear/screw base, 1 ear/screw base, and no ear base.

I also purchased some 6 volt BA15S sockets. These take a single element (1156) standard OR LED light "bulb". Only one wire to the contact and ground through the housing. Again, you will find them in different configurations as above. I purchased the sockets to specifically convert to modern bulb configurations.

CAUTION.....WARNING......READ THIS!!!!

Many LED bulbs being sold on line are NOT 6 volt items. A majority of the LED bulbs being sold will light on 6v-24v DC. The Problem: BRIGHTNESS. As you would expect, the lumen output at 6v is seriously less than on 12v and/or 24v.

If you contact the seller, they may or may not tell you the item is specifically for 6v. You will have to find a reputable vendor you can trust. I have found most on line sources will tell you anything to sell their products. "Is this bulb rated for 6v DC?" "Yes, it will work on 6v DC." BUT, they leave off the part about NOT AS BRIGHT. This is one BIG reason most ads do NOT specify lumen output. When they do specify lumen output, it's usually on/at 24v DC.

Good Luck,

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5410
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: led taillight

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:30 pm

Ralph F wrote:
Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:08 pm
I know there has been a lot of discussion about led head light for model t but, has any one found one for a 15 taillight?
thanks
You can purchase a 12 volt sport battery (I got one for a trolling motor because its a deep cycle design that allows it be recharged many times unlike a motorcycle style battery). Ah, ampere hours, is the spec to look for. Led's don't take much so a 100Ah battery driving a 2amps of LED calculates a 50hours but likely an easy 45 hours of continuous use.
Also are you just interested in a tail light or one that functions as tail and brake light?
Recent discussion https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php? ... ed#p234988
Mount 4.png
mount 5.png
mount 5.png (398.24 KiB) Viewed 793 times
--
Here are some past discussions. Google'd led oil lamp mtfca
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/2 ... 1332691923
mount 1.png
mount 1.png (475.11 KiB) Viewed 794 times
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/7 ... 1500812760
mount 2.png
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1537302804
mount 3.png
mount 3.png (93.47 KiB) Viewed 794 times
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1418346769
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/7 ... 1514737510
Last edited by TRDxB2 on Sat Oct 01, 2022 5:21 pm, edited 3 times in total.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


RVA23T
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:27 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: C
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
Location: Clarksville, Virginia
MTFCA Number: 52098

Re: led taillight

Post by RVA23T » Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:03 pm

Got some from this web site:
www.ledlight.com

6v negative ground link:
www.ledlight.com/6-volt-negative-ground ... ights.aspx

They also have single (BA15S), dual (BA15D) or "headlamp" styles (cheaper than ebay but the pins on this:
www.ledlight.com/ba15d-led-headlight-5- ... rized.aspx are not clocked correctly for the true High/Low head lamps but I like them anyway.) Also sell sockets as well if you are modifying another type of fixture.

I use the LEDs in the park and brake light and am using standard filament bulbs for all 4 turn signals to keep the flasher happy but is see they now have the led negitive ground flasher now so that might be a future mod.

If one has an electric car (with a generator) and are currently using your incandescent/filament 6v headlamps to control generator output, you might/will need to readjust the 3rd brush to lower output. I think my present light set up only pulls 2 amps on the aftermarket ammeter in the dash.
Last edited by RVA23T on Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Socialism is resentment disguised as compassion enforced by tyranny disguised as tolerance.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: led taillight

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:43 pm

As mentioned above, a 1915 came with a single kerosene tail light. Do you have that, and want to install an LED in it? Or has a later electric tail light been added to your car? Either way, you can ignore all that stuff about six volts and adjusting the generator you don't have. 1915-1918 headlamps are magneto lights. Unless you convert those to LED also, any lights you add will be a separate system. I would suggest 12 volts for that.
1 LED's for six volts are scarce and getting more so;
2 A 12 volt battery can be used for a phone charger, GPS navigation device, tire pump, etc., as well as tail/brake lights and turn signals.

Some people charge their batteries between drives, but you can easily install a charger in the car that will run off the magneto. I am not an electronics person. If I can do this, anybody can.

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG102.html
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Steve King
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:39 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: King
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Touring, 25 Coupe, , 26 Touring, 22 Aluminum Fordor, 23 Coupe
Location: Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Board Member Since: 2010

Re: led taillight

Post by Steve King » Sat Oct 01, 2022 1:21 pm

I ordered 2 led headlights and 2 taillights from LEDLIGHT.COM yesterday myself. I left them a message and a salesman returned my call and I ordered them based on his opinion for my 6volt 23 coupe. We'll see what I come up with. Sometimes diving into it I figure is better than sitting on your hands. I have a another set in my 30 Tudor and they are brighter than I had before.


Moxie26
Posts: 1315
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
MTFCA Number: 407
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: led taillight

Post by Moxie26 » Sat Oct 01, 2022 1:52 pm

Steve our '26 runabout has those bright LED headlights and also LED bulbs in the two stop/tail lights. .. ampmeter shows fraction of power used compared to regular bulbs, easier on the generator & 6 volt battery.

User avatar

TWrenn
Posts: 3389
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Wrenn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
Location: Ohio
MTFCA Number: 30701
MTFCI Number: 24033
Board Member Since: 2019

Re: led taillight

Post by TWrenn » Sat Oct 01, 2022 2:12 pm

Snyders seems to have LED's that I believe are for both head and tail lamps, as well as multiple voltages. Some aren't cheap. But take a look at them. I'm not ready to make the move just yet, I drive my brass cars mostly so obviously wouldn't work! And seldom drive st night even in the '25 Fordor.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic