LED tail light bulbs

[Spinneyhill]

I have an idea I would like to replace the incandescent 18/5 W, BA15D, 6V positive earth bulbs with LED bulbs. BA15D = dual filament with opposite pins (offset pins = BAY15D).

 

Direct plug-ins are available.... for negative earth. Some say they are 400 lumens, whereas the 18W bulb is probably barely half that.

 

I want the same look and feel (i.e. no multi-lights such as sold by The Filling Station) and only brake and tail light. Indicators will be separate.

 

Yes it is easy to change polarity, but what if one doesn't want to do that? Are there any available for positive earth?

 

 

[jp928]

I am fitting LEDs to my Rover, but fortunately its a neg earth, which surprised me somewhat. I think your only option will be to isolate your light fittings completely from the chassis and run 2 wires everywhere. I was told my car was not an earth return  system, but with the dynamo having only 1 wire (charge output) it can only be neg earth - and the dynamo charges fine.

 

jp 26 Rover 9

[maok]

Here you go mate.

 

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page4.html

[hchris]

8 minutes ago, maok said:

Here you go mate.

 

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page4.html

 

Thoroughly recommend these, have used them myself and found the clarity and brilliance fabulous; to the extent I often have people who have driven behind me ask where I got the bulbs; and yes available in both polarities.

[Spinneyhill]

17 minutes ago, maok said:

Here you go mate.

 

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page4.html

 

Thanks for the link. I have sent an email. Very simple and basic web site!

[Beltfed]

Boy not sure, but those 6 volt LED's don't look like dual elements from here.  Let use know if they are as I need them too.

[Spinneyhill]

I found these on eBay. They don't say but they are for -ve earth:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162164738984?euid=86ebee0a0c2b40b4b592a0667e0e66a2&bu=43848574544&cp=1&sojTags=bu=bu

 

They claim to be 400 lumens from 2.8W, which is extremely good if true.

[Beltfed]

What is -ve?

[maok]

-ve = negative...:)

[Beltfed]

Here's another way you may have not thought of if you just gotta have LEDs and can't fine them.  You can reverse the polarity of your car (if it's not a v-12 Lincoln).  Disconnect the battery then.....

1. Reverse the wires on the coil.

2 Reverse the wires on your amp meter.

3. Reverse the battery cables.  Now is a good time to tie the ground (earth) to the engine instead of the fame if not already done.

4. Re-polarize your generator.

And there you have it.  Now you can get the -ve earth bulbs you want.

[Spinneyhill]

7 hours ago, Beltfed said:

Here's another way you may have not thought of if you just gotta have LEDs and can't fine them.  You can reverse the polarity of your car (if it's not a v-12 Lincoln). 

 

Thanks for that. I don't want to modify the car in that way, just replace consumables with modern versions.

[Beltfed]

Well, it always an optsion if you wish.  Please let us know what you find as I own an V-12 and can't change polarity. PM me if you wish.

[zeke01]

I bought LED taillight bulbs from classic and vintage bulbs several years ago for my '33 Dodge (positive ground or earth, whatever). They have worked well. They recommended and I bought red bulbs. I was told that red bulbs made the light brighter even through the red taillight lens. It sounds odd but they are indeed bright. Zeke