Recently I decided to have a look at improving the lighting on the ’73 Dodge Dart.
Starting out slowly with the turnsignal lights, I purchased some LED lightbulbs to test with. I got myself some White dual filament LED bulbs and also a number of Red dual filament LED bulbs.
Below are the results of the lighting change;
Some photos with varying exposure and darkness showing the LED lights and the headlights combined;
I also tried the red LEDs in the taillights, but the photos don’t clearly show enough change compared to the stock light bulbs.
One thing became clear that the Red LEDs didn’t ‘flash’ like original lightbulbs do.
Instead of blinking ‘brighter’, the LEDs just blinked entirely OFF and ON.
Also with 4 LEDs installed in the car, the flasher-unit didn’t work anymore either. I somewhat expected this but still had hope it would work since the flasher kept working with the white LEDs on the front.
Conclusion;
The Red taillight LEDs need to be differently wired, in order to blink properly as expected.
Also the flasherunit needs to be changed out for one that works with the lower power consumption of the LEDs.
LED bulbs have a lower ohm, so the original blinker unit of old cars wil not work. You have to install a newer relay with additional ground. For the headlights i would use the Philips White Vision, then you have equal white light and the output is some 50% more light!
Soon we have to meet again! How is your blower project doing? Still standing in the corner? 😉
No, a different corner! How’s the NewYorker these days? 🙂
I received a pair of relays ment for LED lights today. Also got some different LED lights by mail.
Will try and see how those work.