LED Tail Lights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

eelsfoot · #1 10-27-2010, 09:35 PM

Anybody seen any vendors out there with LED inserts for the 300SD?

babymog · #2 10-27-2010, 10:48 PM

They are not DOT approved, do not put the light in all of the necessary angles for the correct light output.

eelsfoot · #3 10-27-2010, 10:57 PM

Uhhhh....okay.

Aquaticedge · #4 10-27-2010, 11:22 PM

Dont risk a FHP ticket. Stick with the normal bulbs

eelsfoot · #5 10-27-2010, 11:34 PM

Well, I wasn't looking for some drop in type cheap LED cluster....didn't know if there were true after market mods for the tail light assemblies.

One of my break light sockets is worn/loose and is not making contact...spring tension is gone. So was just asking the question before I started hunting down replacement parts.

I put LED turn signals on a Triumph bike I had and loved them....didn't know if were options out there for the MB.

Thanks guys.

Aquaticedge · #6 10-27-2010, 11:49 PM

go to a pick n pull or salvage yard. those holders should be somewhat modular

Renntag · #7 10-27-2010, 11:56 PM

Ok, so in the vain of actually answering the OP's question, I dont know that there is anything available. It seems that the best bet is a complete replacement board with multiple LEDs. I have wanted the same thing. The stock lighting on the older Mercedes is weak. (Especially the left rear tail lense....LOL)

cirrusman · #8 10-28-2010, 12:04 AM

This from a website called superbrightleds.com:
"Turn signal issues with LED bulbs
LED brake/tail lamps will not flash with thermal flasher units due to their extremely low current draw. Also, with stock flasher units, the turn signals may flash faster than normal (Hyper-Flash). These installations will require an electronic flasher unit, available in our car bulb shopping category (for some vehicles) or at your auto parts store. Try to find flashers designed to work with LED bulbs, they will say "LED compatible". Often HEAVY DUTY flashers will also work with LED bulbs.

We offer some LED Flashers in our Tail/Brake Turn Signal Bulb category but we do not know which one (if any) will fit your vehicle. You will have to compare the pin-out of your flasher with the pin-outs of the flashers we offer, to see if we have a match, BEFORE you order one. Sorry but we do not have a flasher application list or the expertise to tell you which of our flashers will fit your vehicle.

Another fix is the installation of Load Resistors which are wired across (in parallel with) the turn signal bulbs to simulate the load of a standard filament bulb. We also have these available in our car bulb shopping category."

It's not like just replacing the bulb and start flashing away...

dunl · #9 10-28-2010, 12:06 AM

I believe the problem is something to do with the fact that LED's put out light in a linear fashion, instead of spreading to all areas...therefore only brightest when viewed straight on.

Someone please chime in and let me know if I am correct. Thanks.

Renntag · #10 10-28-2010, 12:36 AM

I am fairly certain there are LEDs that have a wide viewing angle, thus still providing a similar amount of light as the old bulb from off angles.

Note, straight on, the LED offers far more light. From a safety stand point, isnt this what you want?

pawoSD · #11 10-28-2010, 12:51 AM

The way an LED casts its light is determined by the design of the diffuser lens, the actual diode that emits the light is very small at the base, most of an LED is a plastic diffuser for the light.

Putting in new bulbs makes a lot of difference, old ones have black filament coating on the glass from the slow dissolve of the filament which darkens the remaining light output.

CANDIDE · #12 10-28-2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eelsfoot

Anybody seen any vendors out there with LED inserts for the 300SD?

If the SD has the same lamp fault circuit as the SDL, using a LED lamp will cause the fault light to be on all the time. LEDs draw much less current than an incandescent lamp, which trip the lamp failed indicator.
Get the right stock lamp, unless the instant on and off effect of the LED repacement is worth it to you.

tbomachines · #13 10-28-2010, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CANDIDE

If the SD has the same lamp fault circuit as the SDL, using a LED lamp will cause the fault light to be on all the time. LEDs draw much less current than an incandescent lamp, which trip the lamp failed indicator.
Get the right stock lamp, unless the instant on and off effect of the LED repacement is worth it to you.

And as one of the posters above noted, the blinkers will flash really fast as if the bulb was out. I imagine getting the right resistor and putting it inline will remedy all of these issues. Furthermore, you can get clusters of LEDs as bulb replacements but they might not fit perfect and the color may be off a bit. One idea I've toyed with is getting a couple of sealed LED truck lights (like off the back of semis) and putting those in place of the rear housing for the taillamps...actually I've just talked myself into doing it since I have a spare pair. Those things ARE DOT approved for road use and you can get pretty hefty ones. I think I paid about $20 for a 4" red LED sealed cluster a year or two ago, can't remember if it was grommet-type or not.

tami · #14 10-28-2010, 08:43 AM

Personally I'd love to find LED for the car. I've replaced just about every light in my boat, including my white stern light, with LED. Next is the bow light, my incandescent fixture has just died.

In regards the directionality of LED, yes, LED are unidirectional. To solve this issue and have 360' light, the usual solution is to have an array of LED. This is the typical solution for boat lights.

There is a website called 'instructables' which does offer some LED wiring solutions for various things

JamesDean · #15 10-28-2010, 10:08 AM

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1535993-led-tail-light-project.html