Forum Discussion

Bigdog's avatar
Bigdog
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014

LED tail lights.

I decided that I would try and change the tail lights on my Tradewinds over to LEDs and see if they are any brighter. I pulled the old bulb,got the number, Sylvania 3457 and headed for the rv store. Looked and looked and finally the counter guy found one package of Revolution 3157-280A and I checked and they were the replacement for the 3457s that I have. Took them home and installed one on one side and hit the flashers and wow, was it dim. Pulled it back out and checked the package again and way down at the bottom in very small letters it said, Porch light,color-amber.
Gonna be taking them back tomorrow and am wondering if there is any advantage to changing them out after all as the bulbs are really bright.. Also what would be the best ones to use. I did look at changing the whole units out,but those replacements are over $200 a pair and that's not worth it.
  • cpaulsen's avatar
    cpaulsen
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    They make all kinds of 3157 led bulbs....just make sure you get a bright one.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    Replacing only the tail lamp with an LED will most always disappoint. You should replace the entire fixture with an LED fixture.

    Your original lamp was 402 lumen and 38 lumen. For an LED to be brighter it has to beat these measurements plus be properly designed to work in a reflector type fixture.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2014
    Beemerphile nailed it. Replace the assemblies or don't bother.

    I got this type here They look like this



    except I got the triples with backup lights. $50 each for the ones pictured and $60 each for the triples.

    And they are AWESOME!!!
  • bg71361's avatar
    bg71361
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    beemerphile1 wrote:
    Replacing only the tail lamp with an LED will most always disappoint. You should replace the entire fixture with an LED fixture.

    Your original lamp was 402 lumen and 38 lumen. For an LED to be brighter it has to beat these measurements plus be properly designed to work in a reflector type fixture.


    I also agree with this! I tried the bulb replacement route and was very very disappointed. Go for a LED designed fixture.
  • PatrickA51's avatar
    PatrickA51
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    j-d wrote:
    Beemerphile nailed it. Replace the assemblies or don't bother.

    I got this type here They look like this



    except I got the triples with backup lights. $50 each for the ones pictured and $60 each for the triples.

    And they are AWESOME!!!


    Posted By wrote:


    beemerphile1 wrote:

    Replacing only the tail lamp with an LED will most always disappoint. You should replace the entire fixture with an LED fixture.

    Your original lamp was 402 lumen and 38 lumen. For an LED to be brighter it has to beat these measurements plus be properly designed to work in a reflector type fixture.


    I also agree with this! I tried the bulb replacement route and was very very disappointed. Go for a LED designed fixture.


    X3
    I was going to do the same to my RV and decided on replacing the whole assembly.
  • VintageRacer's avatar
    VintageRacer
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    While the replacement LED bulbs are available, your fixtures are only DOT legal with the original design incandescent bulb installed. That is due to the reflection pattern and lens colour and pattern being approved with that type of bulb. Your call, but I always install complete fixtures if at all possible.

    Brian
  • PFitt's avatar
    PFitt
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    I replaced my tail lights with these, Much Brighter and very east to do. $30 bucks each.
    http://commandelectronics.com/product/surface-mount-led-tail-lights-upgrade-kits/

  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    Yet another emphatic agreement.

    This is an area where Hocus Pocus claims of LED bulb vendors really gets unmasked in a hurry. Tail light vendors who claim to meet DOT specifications had better do so as this law still has teeth in it.

    Replacing incandescent fixtures with LED makes a huge difference in safety in my humble opinion. I can see it when I follow an RV. I attribute some of the brightening of lights to far less voltage drop. The strobe-like sharp flash of an LED tail light turn signal catches my eye better.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Oct 30, 2014
    PatrickA51 wrote:
    j-d wrote:
    Beemerphile nailed it. Replace the assemblies or don't bother.

    I got this type here They look like this



    except I got the triples with backup lights. $50 each for the ones pictured and $60 each for the triples.

    And they are AWESOME!!!


    Posted By wrote:


    beemerphile1 wrote:

    Replacing only the tail lamp with an LED will most always disappoint. You should replace the entire fixture with an LED fixture.

    Your original lamp was 402 lumen and 38 lumen. For an LED to be brighter it has to beat these measurements plus be properly designed to work in a reflector type fixture.


    I also agree with this! I tried the bulb replacement route and was very very disappointed. Go for a LED designed fixture.


    X3
    I was going to do the same to my RV and decided on replacing the whole assembly.


    Better buy an extra module, I found out that they DO "burn out".

    While I do agree that the ones in the pix above are bright so far the longevity of mine is not so good.

    Put them on my trailer 7 yrs ago, so far two out of four modules have failed. One module the Stop/Turn LEDs failed but the running lights worked and the other one the running lights failed and the Stop/Turn still worked.

    We only spend two weeks camping/traveling per year so a 50% failure rate within the first 2-3yrs is a dismal record.

    I also found it is cheaper to buy the two module units to keep as spares, much cheaper cost than buying individual replacement modules..
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2014
    YES. Bargman offers "LED Conversion Modules" and that was how I planned to go at first. Modules add up to more cost than all-new assemblies. Besides, I was having trouble with the Sockets as well as the Lamps, and the Assemblies hard-wire into the coach. Modules use the original Sockets...

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