LED instrument lights

Razorburns · 07-20-2017, 12:07 AM

Ran into a bit of a question here:

I replaced the both bulbs in the speedo with blue LEDs..... they look super sweet and is a bit brighter to boot. Picked up a replacement turn signal relay to accommodate LED turn signal bulbs, and put that in.

Moved onto replacing the neutral and the turn signal indicator lights with blue LEDs. The neutral indicator lit right up and is awesome. Quite a bit brighter and really slick looking. The turn signal one though only lights up to indicate one side (while the signals themselves light up just fine). I pulled out the bulb, switched it around, and the OTHER side is indicated (again, the signals themselves are working fine).

Am I missing something here? The contacts on the LED indicator bulbs look exactly the same as the OEM bulbs, so I'm not sure what is going on. Put the OEM bulb back in. I'll come back to it another time.

Can post photos of things lit up blue if people want.

alantf · 07-20-2017, 06:36 AM

Looks like you may have to put blocking diodes to the bulb.

Razorburns · 07-20-2017, 11:19 AM

Thinking that 1 LED may have been faulty itself. There is no reason for it to only indicate one side (or the other when switched around) if both contacts are connected. Going to try another LED bulb to see if it still happens.

My guess it's the cheap bulbs I bought. I'll update as I get more info.

Razorburns · 07-20-2017, 11:22 AM

What it looks like with blue speedo lights, the neutral light on and the turn signal light on.

The blue is much brighter and truer color in person.

alantf · 07-21-2017, 06:58 AM

Dunno, but the bulb you bought seems to be polarised. That means it'll only work when the + & - are the correct way round. The indicators right & left swap polarity for whichever side you want.

Razorburns · 07-24-2017, 11:18 PM

Just got a replacement blue LED, way better built and way better quality. Put it in and BAM, totally works perfectly. Guess buying cheapo crap is a bad idea. Definitely will know better next time.

If you are looking for LED bulbs of all types... check these guys out. SUPER happy with them so far.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/

07-20-2017, 12:07 AM	#1
Razorburns Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 66	LED instrument lights Ran into a bit of a question here: I replaced the both bulbs in the speedo with blue LEDs..... they look super sweet and is a bit brighter to boot. Picked up a replacement turn signal relay to accommodate LED turn signal bulbs, and put that in. Moved onto replacing the neutral and the turn signal indicator lights with blue LEDs. The neutral indicator lit right up and is awesome. Quite a bit brighter and really slick looking. The turn signal one though only lights up to indicate one side (while the signals themselves light up just fine). I pulled out the bulb, switched it around, and the OTHER side is indicated (again, the signals themselves are working fine). Am I missing something here? The contacts on the LED indicator bulbs look exactly the same as the OEM bulbs, so I'm not sure what is going on. Put the OEM bulb back in. I'll come back to it another time. Can post photos of things lit up blue if people want. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by Razorburns; 07-20-2017 at 12:24 AM.
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07-20-2017, 06:36 AM	#2
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Looks like you may have to put blocking diodes to the bulb. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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07-20-2017, 11:19 AM	#3
Razorburns Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 66	Thinking that 1 LED may have been faulty itself. There is no reason for it to only indicate one side (or the other when switched around) if both contacts are connected. Going to try another LED bulb to see if it still happens. My guess it's the cheap bulbs I bought. I'll update as I get more info. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-21-2017, 06:58 AM	#5
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Dunno, but the bulb you bought seems to be polarised. That means it'll only work when the + & - are the correct way round. The indicators right & left swap polarity for whichever side you want. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-24-2017, 11:18 PM	#6
Razorburns Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 66	Just got a replacement blue LED, way better built and way better quality. Put it in and BAM, totally works perfectly. Guess buying cheapo crap is a bad idea. Definitely will know better next time. If you are looking for LED bulbs of all types... check these guys out. SUPER happy with them so far. https://www.superbrightleds.com/ Last edited by Razorburns; 07-24-2017 at 11:50 PM.
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