brighter tail lights
#1
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Hey guys. I found a bunch of threads about LED's but I was curious if anyone has tried the h1157 bulbs in the taillights. The only thing I can find is that they *may* produce too much heat and melt/warp the lens but can't find anyone that has had that issue. Mine are tinted (painted) and can be harder to see depending on the time of day. Thanks.
#2
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H1157 and 1157 in general are the wrong style of bulb. Completely wrong base. Start by using this list to see what types of bulbs work in the first place: https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...bulb-list.html
#3
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H1157 and 1157 in general are the wrong style of bulb. Completely wrong base. Start by using this list to see what types of bulbs work in the first place: https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...bulb-list.html
#4
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I checked out the H1157 bulbs and there is a warning on there to not use them in plastic sockets.
I used the Silverstar high performance bulbs in my tails, they are a little brighter than stock but not much.
I used the Silverstar high performance bulbs in my tails, they are a little brighter than stock but not much.
#7
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I would recommend some high wattage LED options versus potentially melting your housings and sockets with a 50w tungsten bulb. Also, thanks for the info on the sockets. I'll update the list when I find out the correct year range since nobody has bothered to tell me before.
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#8
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I would recommend some high wattage LED options versus potentially melting your housings and sockets with a 50w tungsten bulb. Also, thanks for the info on the sockets. I'll update the list when I find out the correct year range since nobody has bothered to tell me before.
#9
Douchebag On The Tree
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Ebay leds are gonna be hit or miss, though cree is usually seen as a decent brand.
If you want the absolute best quality and light output for your tail/brake lights...you need to pony up the cash.
http://www.vleds.com/catalogsearch/r...rake+lightsbay
If you want the absolute best quality and light output for your tail/brake lights...you need to pony up the cash.
http://www.vleds.com/catalogsearch/r...rake+lightsbay
#11
Douchebag On The Tree
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Yeah, the Triton V3s are ridiculous. I'm sure they're awesome, but I can't spend $100+ on two bulbs. The $50 pairs are much more doable and still give a much better output than pretty much any other bulb.
On stock lights I would go for the ebay leds and see how they do. If my lights where tinted I would spend the $50 for some quality lights. $50 is a small price to pay to not be rear-ended because someone can't see my brake lights. Not to mention, in that instance, the tinted tails would probably put the driver at fault even though they were rear-ended.
On stock lights I would go for the ebay leds and see how they do. If my lights where tinted I would spend the $50 for some quality lights. $50 is a small price to pay to not be rear-ended because someone can't see my brake lights. Not to mention, in that instance, the tinted tails would probably put the driver at fault even though they were rear-ended.
#13
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I have these in my car (you can get them with the 1157 style base): http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-7-5Watt-LED-Hi-Bright-STOP-TAIL-LIGHT-4157-3157-3057A-Wedge-Bulbs-RED-/390817929735?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5afe905a07&vxp=mtrPic comparing some tungsten bulbs (right) to the above 3157 style LEDs (left) - this is just the running lights, brake pedal is not being pressed:
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/ZexGX/Car/mods/LEDtails/301176_10151213090407931_200683583_n.jpg)
The outer 194 tail light bulbs on both housings were still tungsten bulbs at the time of the picture.
And a video:
There are even newer and brighter LEDs than this on eBay. Here is a newer design using Samsung LEDs, but not sure how they compare to the ones in my car: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-16W-1157-2357-Samsung-COB-high-power-LED-SMD-Super-Red-Brake-Turn-signals-/281257971843?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item417c481083They need to be short. There are notable depth clearance issues to consider for front DRL housings, side DRL housings, and rear tail light 194 style bulbs.
Last edited by ZexGX; 04-18-2014 at 05:11 PM.
#14
TECH Junkie
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Not only that, each Triton V3 bulb is rated at a measly 210lm max. That is not a very high output number at all.
I have these in my car: 4 x 7 5Watt LED Hi Bright Stop Tail Light 4157 3157 3057A Wedge Bulbs Red | eBay
Pic comparing some tungsten bulbs (right) to the above 3157 style LEDs (left):
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/ZexGX/Car/mods/LEDtails/301176_10151213090407931_200683583_n.jpg)
The outer 194 tail light bulbs on both housings were still tungsten bulbs at the time of the picture.
They need to be short. There are notable depth clearance issues to consider for front DRL housings, side DRL housings, and rear tail light 194 style bulbs.
I have these in my car: 4 x 7 5Watt LED Hi Bright Stop Tail Light 4157 3157 3057A Wedge Bulbs Red | eBay
Pic comparing some tungsten bulbs (right) to the above 3157 style LEDs (left):
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/ZexGX/Car/mods/LEDtails/301176_10151213090407931_200683583_n.jpg)
The outer 194 tail light bulbs on both housings were still tungsten bulbs at the time of the picture.
They need to be short. There are notable depth clearance issues to consider for front DRL housings, side DRL housings, and rear tail light 194 style bulbs.
#15
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These ones are the 1157 versions of the ones that I have... It has a claimed lumen output of 350lm. A similar ad lists 370lm. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-1157-BAY15D-High-Power-7-5W-Super-Red-Car-Brake-Reverse-Gangster-Led-Light-/281024086381?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item416e57416d&vxp=mtr
Lumen ratings vary wildly depending on equipment used and environment, like heads and flow benches. The only way to know for sure is to put them side by side... and I don't know anyone around me who would be willing to drop $120 on two LED bulbs.
Lumen ratings vary wildly depending on equipment used and environment, like heads and flow benches. The only way to know for sure is to put them side by side... and I don't know anyone around me who would be willing to drop $120 on two LED bulbs.
#16
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These ones are the 1157 versions of the ones that I have... It has a claimed lumen output of 350lm. A similar ad lists 370lm. 2 x 1157 BAY15D High Power 7 5W Super Red Car Brake Reverse Gangster LED Light | eBay
Lumen ratings vary wildly depending on equipment used and environment, like heads and flow benches. The only way to know for sure is to put them side by side... and I don't know anyone around me who would be willing to drop $120 on two LED bulbs.
Lumen ratings vary wildly depending on equipment used and environment, like heads and flow benches. The only way to know for sure is to put them side by side... and I don't know anyone around me who would be willing to drop $120 on two LED bulbs.
#17
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I have white 7.5w in backup bulbs in one car, and some other "high power" 3157 amber ones (I cannot remeber the exact wattage, I want to say 20w). None are brighter than 70% of a stock bulb, AT NIGHT. During the day, they are almost useless. Tritons are the best direct swap LEDs out there currently and are on par with stock bulbs.
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#18
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Huh. That's odd. All the 7.5w style LEDs I've used in my car were notably brighter than stock bulbs (and evident in pictures). I've followed my car before at night and realized that they are annoyingly bright compared to Sylvania tungstens. Had friends make similar comments too. If you have red Triton V3's in your tail lights, I'd be willing to ship you my 7.5w 3157s so you can compare them in a side-by-side ( and then return them, of course
).
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I do not have red Tritons but there is a member on here who does, and they posted direct sunlight pics. The title of the thread has Triton v3 in it if I remember correctly.
Found it: https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...installed.html
#19
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^^^That's one reason I'm leary about going with LED's. I like the way they look and don't mind getting a different flasher but the 1157 bulb is rated @ 402 lumens, and the 2357 bulbs I have in there now are 503 lumens. I definitely don't want to spend $ on bulbs just to switch back to what's in there now. Also found that 3157 bulbs are rated at 400 lumens.
#20
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^^^That's one reason I'm leary about going with LED's. I like the way they look and don't mind getting a different flasher but the 1157 bulb is rated @ 402 lumens, and the 2357 bulbs I have in there now are 503 lumens. I definitely don't want to spend $ on bulbs just to switch back to what's in there now. Also found that 3157 bulbs are rated at 400 lumens.