Forum Discussion

buc1980's avatar
buc1980
Explorer
Apr 07, 2016

Led cree bulbs

I want to replace the signal bulbs on my FW and I find some bulbs by JDM ASTAR.They are 1157 cree 50w for 29$ for 2.Anybody try them or use other one which are a lot brighter than the incandescent one.Please let me know before I start the camping season.
  • I thank you for the response.The people who list the bulbs say that is 50w bulbs but being a LED use only 10w regular.
  • What is the need or purpose of having brighter turn//brake lights? If it's added visibility for following motorists, installing a light bar with flashing signal function may be a better solution.
  • If those are actually 50W LED bulbs with CREE LEDs, then they will be far, far brighter than the incandescent bulbs in your taillights. They'd produce more light than your high beam headlights, too, though likely not as well focused.

    I'm not sure the sockets on most taillights would be happy with 50W bulbs. That's around twice the power dissipation of a standard 1157 bulb, and so close to twice the heat generated. (Even an LED bulb converts a large majority of the power supplied to it into heat rather than light.)

    If the lights are abnormally dim, it might be more helpful to check all the wiring and connections and grounds for proper tightness and sizing. You may simply have low voltage at the lamps under load.
  • Also remember, if you tail lights are incandescent, the lenses will not work as well with LED bulbs. There was an article in Trailer Life I think that showed the results. I would consider replacing the entire fixture for the tail lights.
  • buc1980 wrote:
    I want to replace the signal bulbs on my FW and I find some bulbs by JDM ASTAR.They are 1157 cree 50w for 29$ for 2.Anybody try them or use other one which are a lot brighter than the incandescent one.Please let me know before I start the camping season.


    Unless your signals are white, you want the LED color to match the lens color.

    White leds, despite what our eyes say, are actually BLUE, and their phosphor coating gives off some yellow, to trick us into seeing white. Put a blue led behind a yellow or red lens, the result is not good. An incandescent bulb gives off mostly red and yellow light, so it works well behind these colored filters.

    If your signals are red, get red led replacements, sometimes called red-orange or dot red.

    If your signals are yellow, get yellow led replacements, sometimes called orange, amber or dot yellow.

    for example:
    right angle 1157 dual function

    more 1157 bulbs
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I agree the cree chips are the latest and greatest LED, BUT for your tail lights you can buy two for these for .......$9.49 with only a 50,000 hour life. Will be plenty bright enough.



    I would buy these for ....$4.75 as I like the 5050 chips and they will be bright enough.

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