LED lights in taillamps

[Barney Eaton]

I purchased some running/stop LED bulbs (devices) for my '39 thinking they would be a big improvement........

I could not get them to work.... it seemed like as I started them into the socket, the running light would light but when both contacts made, nothing worked.

I have seen some similar problems with LED and the new fluorescents,

example, I tried 7 volt night light LED's in a nightlight with a photocell and they would not work, but worked fine in a night light with a switch.

A similar problem with fluorescents screwed into sockets with photocells, some worked and others would not.

I have not contacted my electrical expert but I suspect these new devices are very sensetive to any power on the line.

I may need to install diodes in both + lines on the '39 to get these LED's to function correctly.

Do we have anyone here with experience?

[Guest 47jag]

Barney,

Since LEDs are polarity sensitive, have you tried reversing the polarity off car? The lamps that I have seen are dismantle-able with care and could be rewired to suit. I assume the '39 is positive ground/earth and most LEDs are designed for modern negative ground cars.

Art

[Guest Grant Magrath]

The 39 is a negative earth car Art.

Cheers

Grant