| 46coupe | -- 09-01-2020 @ 9:42 AM |
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I tried the search function and could not find the sources you all talked about. I would like to put the LED bulbs in my 46's tail lights. The old bulbs are 1154s. Thanks Brad
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| supereal | -- 09-01-2020 @ 10:01 AM |
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The only LED bulbs for old cars I have found are 12 volt type. Good suppliers, such as C&G, show halogen bulbs for your car, but most don't increase visibility to any extent. For my '47 I have installed a stoplight bar on top in the rear license plate. I put it on after my car was rear ended by a driver who claimed he didn't see the stop lights! Some improve the lighting by painting the inside of the light housing with silver or white paint. Be sure that the housing is well grounded. I run a separate wire to all light housings to provide a good ground. This alone can often improve performance. In this age, where modern vehicles have massive stop lights, our vintage cars need all the help we can give them!
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| Mark46-48 | -- 09-01-2020 @ 12:56 PM |
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Try LEDLight.com, product number 97465 (also available from Amazon; search "6 volt LED automotive)
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| kubes40 | -- 09-01-2020 @ 1:12 PM |
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I'd installed one on the left side of my '36 to compare to a regular bulb on the right. Dark garage - at night. I noted no discernable difference. I would not waste my money on these ever again. Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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| trjford8 | -- 09-02-2020 @ 8:29 AM |
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I agree with Mike on the use of LED bulbs in stock tail lamps. The only way LEDs work properly is when they come as a sealed unit with their own lens. Behind a stock lens there is no advantage. If you want the lights brighter paint the inside of the housing with white or silver paint and make sure they are grounded properly.
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| 46coupe | -- 09-02-2020 @ 8:29 AM |
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Thanks for the info. I'll check out the site
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| 46coupe | -- 09-02-2020 @ 8:33 AM |
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After checking price, etc, I think I'll do as you suggested and use the stock bulb. I had a brake lite bar on the car when purchased and took it off. I'll probably reattach it as the people around here think their NASCAR drivers and seem to want to slipstream anyone in front of them.
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| TomO | -- 09-02-2020 @ 9:35 AM |
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I enhanced my taillight brightness on my 40 Merc by using a flashlight reflector modified to fit in the housing around the bulb. That improved the brightness about 40%. I ordered LED bulbs and installed them and I would say that the brightness improved 100%. I paid $25 a bulb, but I figured it was better than having someone run into me at night because they cannot see the lights. I took some photos to show the difference, but they got lost with my phone. I'll try to get some more and post them. Here is where I bought them http://classicbulbs.com/ Tom
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| therunwaybehind | -- 09-02-2020 @ 9:36 AM |
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Getting hit from behind is a "situation awareness" thing. The woman who became my wife in 1966 got hit from behind in her brother-in-law's (older sister's) car three times at the same location, the Long Beach traffic circle before I married her. Then one day after we were married we got sandwiched by a car coming very fast on Imperial (?) at Rosecrans forcing three cars behind into me as I tried to catch up to the two cars ahead and then got knocked into them. Years passed and then ladies in Dodge Darts began to run into the back of my car first on Lampson at Los Alamitos and then twice on the San Diego Freeway as I was cruising in the next to fast lane with the fast lane open. Enough? Not really, in Winter a car plowed into the rear of a car my sister had given me at Livernois and Randall in Troy, Michigan. Then the next day a van crashed into me at the same corner as I waited for traffic to clear on Livernois and started to move in a right turn. My current restored stock 1947 Ford 5-window coupe is a virtual one. Yes I have been hit by a car while walking in a cross walk with a walk signal while the car without lights stopped and turned left with a blinking red at Livernois and Wattles, while two earlier cars went North and South on Livernois very fast. I had seen pedestrian jumping over cars but alas that was years before and the best I could do was land on the hood and roll off on the other side hitting my forehead while the car bumper had hit my right shin. The car then paused and drove off. LED tail lights? I thought they had long life advantages but see several new cars with one tail light out baiting the police.
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| wmsteed | -- 09-02-2020 @ 10:52 AM |
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LED/Halogon bulbs in old car lights is not a good idea, both of which tend to be directional and therefore do not emit much light to the side of the unit, especially in the old style of tail light. Paint the inside of the light body white, white is more reflective than silver and make sure the lights are well grounded. A little dialect grease in the receptacle also helps. To increase visibility on the front and rear turn signals on my '39 conv coupe I had special LED lights made that we fitted into the bumper over-rides, red for the rear, amber for the front. The turn lights also work on the Hazard lights providing four-way flashers front and rear. The modification is hardly noticeable when the lights are not on, when in operation the LED turn lights are very bright as are the original tear drop shaped tail lights. When I get my '36 coupe back on the load, hopefully latter this year, I am going to use the same LED lights in the bumper overrides on the '36. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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| wmsteed | -- 09-02-2020 @ 10:58 AM |
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Rear view of my 36 coupe... Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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| silverchief | -- 09-02-2020 @ 11:45 AM |
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There is a gentleman in Ohio who builds a small inexpensive battery operated unit which uses a mercury switch to activate a very bright set of four lights when you brake. They come with suction cups for putting on your window, or they can use the screws on your license plate. I bought one for both, and believe me, when activated by your braking, they are VERY bright. They are quality made and I am very happy with them. I don't recall his name or contact information, but I'm sure other members know who I am talking about and will furnish it.
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| 46coupe | -- 09-03-2020 @ 8:42 AM |
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Tom O Do you know or remember the specs on your bulbs? Candlepower or lumens? I'll also check out the website. Thanks
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| supereal | -- 09-03-2020 @ 8:58 AM |
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I bought my "light bar" from a place called "Top Serve" (brakeflasher.com). I don't know if they are still around, as I installed the bar in 2007. It is a great unit, bright and adjustable for steady or flashing light, or split for turn signals. Was $67.99 when I bought mine, plus S&H. Worth every cent. Haven't had a problem (or a crash). This message was edited by supereal on 9-3-20 @ 8:59 AM
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| supereal | -- 09-03-2020 @ 9:18 AM |
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Put "top serve brake lights" in Google. Lots of versions, and a whole lot less expensive than mine!
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| Model B | -- 09-03-2020 @ 10:23 AM |
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silverchief, I believe you are referring to the Quick Brake Flasher. I have one on my '50 Ford Custom Deluxe. It's a good alternative to running wires etc. The webpage link is: www.brakeflasher.com If this link doesn't work...try googling it. I think I paid about $25 for it. This message was edited by Model B on 9-3-20 @ 10:26 AM
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| silverchief | -- 09-03-2020 @ 12:25 PM |
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Model B Thank you! You are exactly right. Very good quality. Easy to attach, with no modifications - even wiring. A bargain price for something that makes it fast and easy to solve a serious concern.
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| TomO | -- 09-04-2020 @ 10:15 AM |
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I finally got a chance to take pictures of my LED tail lights. I was not able to get the brake lights, because I did not want to crawl under the car to bypass the switch and could not get anyone to put their foot on the brake. The first photo is with the lights from my modern car shining on the car from about 20' and the second photo is without any extra light including no flash. The lights look blurred due to my shaky hands and long exposure. I do not have a comparison shot with the old bulbs. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 9-4-20 @ 10:20 AM
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