LED flasher for LED front & rear
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: From Oklahoma, stationed in Missouri.
Does anyone know where I can find a FF552NLF flasher? Doesn’t seem like it’s in production anymore. If not that then a reputable LED flasher for a 00 Firebird. Also can anyone confirm that the switchbacks will be White with fogs on an parking lights on? Or will it be amber like the DRL?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If you are only replacing the front lamps with LED bulbs then any of the electronic flashers will do the job. If you are replacing all exterior bulbs on your car with LEDs then you'll need a true no-load flasher. They are usually labeled "LED Flasher". Sorry, I don't have any information on particular brands.
On my 2000 T/A, the front lamps only switched to dim (parking) mode when the headlights were on. They stayed bright (DRL mode) when only the parking lights were on. Switchback bulbs produce white for the dim mode and amber for the bright mode so if yours is like mine, the switchbacks would be amber with the lights off or in parking mode and white only when the headlights are on. It's easy enough to check... watch the front lamps when you have someone move the headlight switch from off to P - if the DRLs dim then your switchbacks will switch to white but if they stay bright then your switchbacks will stay amber.
On my 2000 T/A, the front lamps only switched to dim (parking) mode when the headlights were on. They stayed bright (DRL mode) when only the parking lights were on. Switchback bulbs produce white for the dim mode and amber for the bright mode so if yours is like mine, the switchbacks would be amber with the lights off or in parking mode and white only when the headlights are on. It's easy enough to check... watch the front lamps when you have someone move the headlight switch from off to P - if the DRLs dim then your switchbacks will switch to white but if they stay bright then your switchbacks will stay amber.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
From: New Baden Illinois
Does anyone know where I can find a FF552NLF flasher? Doesn’t seem like it’s in production anymore. If not that then a reputable LED flasher for a 00 Firebird. Also can anyone confirm that the switchbacks will be White with fogs on an parking lights on? Or will it be amber like the DRL?
This is what you're looking for. Amazing company and fast shipping. Bought this for my 2000 SS because I put in l.e.d. turn signals. The hazard flasher was the same as the turn signal flasher so ignition two right away.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
Does anyone know where I can find a FF552NLF flasher? Doesn’t seem like it’s in production anymore. If not that then a reputable LED flasher for a 00 Firebird. Also can anyone confirm that the switchbacks will be White with fogs on an parking lights on? Or will it be amber like the DRL?
https://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/ca...-Fixed-Flasher
I can't help you on the switchbacks as i don't have them.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: From Oklahoma, stationed in Missouri.
Found it on their actual site.
https://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/ca...-Fixed-Flasher
I can't help you on the switchbacks as i don't have them.
https://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/ca...-Fixed-Flasher
I can't help you on the switchbacks as i don't have them.
4 X Pilot Automotive 3157 Red LED Light Bulbs (2 inner tail light bulbs)
2 X Auxito 194 LED Bulbs (Outer tail light bulbs)
4 X Auxito 194 Amber LED Bulbs (Side Markers)
2 X 3157 Amber LED Bulbs (Front turn signals)
I've had the 3rd brake light for a while now, I forget where it got it but lots of places carry them now. I did have to add some resistors to the 3rd brake light circuit to retain my cruise control.
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Hate to ask but how does the install go for all of those? Looking at screaming chicken or late model lighting for other options and cost. Any feedback? Awesome car btw and love the roof rack!
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
I never added photos of when I swapped out the LED's into my 02 SS.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
Attachment 594934
Attachment 594935
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Attachment 594936
Attachment 594937
Backup light which is an XP80
Attachment 594938
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Attachment 594939
Brakes applied
Attachment 594940
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
Attachment 594934
Attachment 594935
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Attachment 594936
Attachment 594937
Backup light which is an XP80
Attachment 594938
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Attachment 594939
Brakes applied
Attachment 594940
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Always use LEDs that match the color of the lens except with clear or white lenses - use red LEDs in a red tail light and amber LEDs in an amber turn signal. In other words, use the color you want to display regardless of the lens color (e.g. red LEDs for brake lights regardless of whether it's a red or clear lens). If you use white LEDs behind a red lens, you end up with pink tail lights.
Things like projector glass and multiple LEDs are not a good indication of the brightness of the bulbs. There are multiple types and generations of LED chips that make a huge difference in brightness. Believe it or not, even the lumens rating of the bulbs doesn't always indicate the brightest bulb... partly because many vendors simply add up the theoretical maximum output of the chips (similar to peak power vs RMS for amps) but also because the configuration of the lamp you install in has a huge effect on the apparent brightness. I have found some relatively inexpensive LED bulbs that perform better than expensive ones in certain lamps but generally the better bulbs cost more. I generally try a few different designs (cylindrical, tower, 2-sided, and the unique Philips design) to find the one that looks best in any given lamp. I have had good luck on several vehicles with the iBrightstar 9-30V LED bulbs from Amazon.
Things like projector glass and multiple LEDs are not a good indication of the brightness of the bulbs. There are multiple types and generations of LED chips that make a huge difference in brightness. Believe it or not, even the lumens rating of the bulbs doesn't always indicate the brightest bulb... partly because many vendors simply add up the theoretical maximum output of the chips (similar to peak power vs RMS for amps) but also because the configuration of the lamp you install in has a huge effect on the apparent brightness. I have found some relatively inexpensive LED bulbs that perform better than expensive ones in certain lamps but generally the better bulbs cost more. I generally try a few different designs (cylindrical, tower, 2-sided, and the unique Philips design) to find the one that looks best in any given lamp. I have had good luck on several vehicles with the iBrightstar 9-30V LED bulbs from Amazon.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
Red behind the red, yellow behind the yellow and white behind the clear. Diode Dynamics XP80's are great and are bright.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Always use LEDs that match the color of the lens except with clear or white lenses - use red LEDs in a red tail light and amber LEDs in an amber turn signal. In other words, use the color you want to display regardless of the lens color (e.g. red LEDs for brake lights regardless of whether it's a red or clear lens). If you use white LEDs behind a red lens, you end up with pink tail lights.
Things like projector glass and multiple LEDs are not a good indication of the brightness of the bulbs. There are multiple types and generations of LED chips that make a huge difference in brightness. Believe it or not, even the lumens rating of the bulbs doesn't always indicate the brightest bulb... partly because many vendors simply add up the theoretical maximum output of the chips (similar to peak power vs RMS for amps) but also because the configuration of the lamp you install in has a huge effect on the apparent brightness. I have found some relatively inexpensive LED bulbs that perform better than expensive ones in certain lamps but generally the better bulbs cost more. I generally try a few different designs (cylindrical, tower, 2-sided, and the unique Philips design) to find the one that looks best in any given lamp. I have had good luck on several vehicles with the iBrightstar 9-30V LED bulbs from Amazon.
Things like projector glass and multiple LEDs are not a good indication of the brightness of the bulbs. There are multiple types and generations of LED chips that make a huge difference in brightness. Believe it or not, even the lumens rating of the bulbs doesn't always indicate the brightest bulb... partly because many vendors simply add up the theoretical maximum output of the chips (similar to peak power vs RMS for amps) but also because the configuration of the lamp you install in has a huge effect on the apparent brightness. I have found some relatively inexpensive LED bulbs that perform better than expensive ones in certain lamps but generally the better bulbs cost more. I generally try a few different designs (cylindrical, tower, 2-sided, and the unique Philips design) to find the one that looks best in any given lamp. I have had good luck on several vehicles with the iBrightstar 9-30V LED bulbs from Amazon.
I figured that, but when I pulled the tail light bulbs out from the WS6, they were all clear. Which is why I asked.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Do you have video of them flashing? Just curious. For $90/set, i'll be spending $270 if I do the XP 80s for the front and rear. WS6's need 4 3157 style bulbs for the rear.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That's correct. The incandescent bulbs that are factory installed have always been clear except for amber turn signal bulbs. That's because changing color means tinting the glass of the bulb rather than changing the color of the light source (filament) itself. Tinting the glass reduces output so it's a trade off between brightness and color. With LEDs, the light source itself (the LED chip) produces the color so matching them to the lens gives the most effective look.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
That's correct. The incandescent bulbs that are factory installed have always been clear except for amber turn signal bulbs. That's because changing color means tinting the glass of the bulb rather than changing the color of the light source (filament) itself. Tinting the glass reduces output so it's a trade off between brightness and color. With LEDs, the light source itself (the LED chip) produces the color so matching them to the lens gives the most effective look.
This is one of those cases where the lamp design has a huge impact on apparent brightness. The tail lights have bulbs which go straight in from the back so they depend mostly on filling the reflector with light. This is where high end bulbs like the Diode Dynamics can really shine (pun intended). The front lamps have the bulbs go in from the bottom so you're looking at the side of the bulb rather than the end. You can use less expensive bulbs in this situation and still get impressive results. Bear in mind that the front bulb's bottom mounting limits the height of the bulb which will fit without running into the top of the housing so most of those tall tower style bulbs won't work.
I appreciate all of the info, you know your stuff!
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Wait for their 20% off sales. They should be having one for 4th of July, Labor Day and Black Friday.
https://vimeo.com/174143867
https://vimeo.com/174143867
Thanks for the tip! I like the "defined" flash - that is the look i'm going for. Some LED's act more like the regular bulbs when they flash.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: MO
Instead of going the flasher and external resistor route, I went with Lasfit LEDs. The headlights and fog LEDs are absolutely brite white. Whiter than DD. The turn signals come with an integrated resistor for front and back and the reverse does as well. They also have the proper size and type interior LEDs. Check them out, they are less and last as longer or longer than DD. Used then in my 19 Traverse so they do work with resistors. I use DD throughout my 09 Colorado and ended up exchanging the dome and replacing high beams and fogs. Much happier. Left the tails intact and still using the external resistors.
Lasfit, remove and replace w/o external resistors and flashers. Head light LEDs range from $59.00 to $69.00 for both low and high beams, switchbacks or turn signals around $20 and dome and license LEDs are from $6.00 to 12.00.
Lasfit, remove and replace w/o external resistors and flashers. Head light LEDs range from $59.00 to $69.00 for both low and high beams, switchbacks or turn signals around $20 and dome and license LEDs are from $6.00 to 12.00.