I purchased 4 Pilot Automotive LED 1157 replacement bulbs (IL-1157W-15} to install on my 2000 model motor home. The tail light cluster is a Bargman very similar to what is in use on older Lance truck campers. I am sharing my motor home results just in case someone has $$ burning a hole in their pocket and wish to replace their incandescent 1157 bulbs with LED.The MAJOR problem encountered was when the turn signal was used, all the side marker, clearance, parking, and tail lights would dimly blink.When this issue would be encountered with an incandescent bulb, you would begin searching for a bad ground. I checked all the grounds and found them to be good.My theory (proven to be true) was since the turn signal and tail light use the same LEDs, the stronger current allowed (regulated via internal resistors) during a turn signal operation was back feeding the tail light wire on the motor home, thus causing all connected bulbs to become energized.Solution: $5.00 of parts from Radio Shack - two #6A2-TPMSCT diodes and two #274-656 terminal blocks. The diodes are placed inline of the tail light wire just before the tail light/stop light fixture. One on each side of the motor home.The LED light problem was fixed!Video - Blinking

I noticed on eBay that many of the LED bulb dealers are now including blurbs about problems with turn signal bulbs and how to fix them. Guess this issue is very widespread.

Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.

rjxj wrote:Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.I had 3 of the 1157 incandescent bulbs "expire" since last October. The motor home is 15 years old and these bulbs may have been the originals. While I was considering replacements, I said "Why not LEDs". O'Reilly Auto Parts had a display and I purchased 4.They are brighter than the incandescent and list 50,000 hours life time. Less load on the "system" thereby giving me that extra HP and fuel savings :). Just kidding, but it all adds up.50,000 hours x 45 MPH average = 2,250,000 miles.I should never have to replace a rear brake light/tail light/turn signal for a long, long, long, long, time!

I'm running this version, which has been working fine. It must have some circuitry inside to prevent the backfeed problems.http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt_1157.htm

1157 LED Replacement Bulbs | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

JumboJet
Explorer
Feb 11, 2015
bka0721 wrote:
You might have more "eyes" that have done this previously, in the motorhome forum. Just request the moderator to move your post.

b

Actually, that was my first post when I was looking for assistance. Most of the MH folks are wanting to know which DP to buy.

And a search over there yielded nothing which was the same over here for outside LEDs.
joeshmoe
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
JumboJet wrote:

I should never have to replace a rear brake light/tail light/turn signal for a long, long, long, long, time!

Yeah, theoretically. But that simple isn't reality. LED's (even high quality) can and do burn out prematurely. In some cases, way sooner than incs. I've replaced two, plantronics running light fixtures already on a camper that's only been used 10-12 times in the last 17 months. AND, how much of that use was with the lights on? Not much. The problem with LED's is the quality. Some are. Some aren't. For quality LED's, you'll need to spend more. But then, you have ask yourself if outside lighting is worth the extra cost vs. light output.

I decided to go the cheap route with the dome lighting and map lights in the truck and my wife's car. So far, three have died within a year.
I believe you get what you pay for with cheap, LED lighting.

For interior, camper lighting, I think LED's are a no-brainer.
bka0721
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2015
You might have more "eyes" that have done this previously, in the motorhome forum. Just request the moderator to move your post.

b
Super_Dave
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
I haven't been a fan of the LED tail lights as now, running lights constantly look like brake lights due to the increased brightness. Following one of these vehicles can be like looking into a vehicle coming the other way with its brights on.
dakonthemountai
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
toedtoes wrote:
rjxj wrote:
Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.

I replaced all my clearance lights with LED. I figured they'd last long enough that I could seal my lens covers without having to worry about changing the bulbs out. Now they are sealed against water and less likely to fall off due to branches, etc.

Another reason, small as it may seem, is that after replacing all the bulbs on the exterior of the camper and the truck with LEDs, They are pulling less amps from the alternator while driving; and with only a standard alternator charging 2 big AGM batteries (or 2 wet cell) all the help and less "stress" on it the better.. Just my own opinion. I'm no 12v system expert... though I try to play one on the internet from time to time! ;)

Dak
JumboJet
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
trail-explorer wrote:
I'm running this version, which has been working fine. It must have some circuitry inside to prevent the backfeed problems.

http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt_1157.htm

The Pilot LEDs bulb do not have the included diode. I read some posts in other forums that bulbs such as yours corrected the problem with the "cheaper" Pilot bulbs. When I say "cheaper", they were only $10 each.

I now have $11.25 in each bulb plus a couple hours of testing and fixing!
toedtoes
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2015
rjxj wrote:
Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.

I replaced all my clearance lights with LED. I figured they'd last long enough that I could seal my lens covers without having to worry about changing the bulbs out. Now they are sealed against water and less likely to fall off due to branches, etc.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
I'm running this version, which has been working fine. It must have some circuitry inside to prevent the backfeed problems.

http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/stt_1157.htm
JumboJet
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
rjxj wrote:
Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.

I had 3 of the 1157 incandescent bulbs "expire" since last October. The motor home is 15 years old and these bulbs may have been the originals. While I was considering replacements, I said "Why not LEDs". O'Reilly Auto Parts had a display and I purchased 4.

They are brighter than the incandescent and list 50,000 hours life time. Less load on the "system" thereby giving me that extra HP and fuel savings :). Just kidding, but it all adds up.

50,000 hours x 45 MPH average = 2,250,000 miles.

I should never have to replace a rear brake light/tail light/turn signal for a long, long, long, long, time!
azrving
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
Why bother with led on the outside of the vehicle. I thought it was all about cutting battery consumption inside the RV? I have had vehicles for 10 years and not replaced exterior bulbs. Incandescent dont seem to be a problem or am I just lucky.