Guide to buying LED bulb replacements for turn and rear signals

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Vishnu Suresh

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thepaleobiker

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5 min read

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Mar 30,

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Many people have had great success replacing the stock halogen turn bulbs on their vehicle with LED replacements. But there are some key pieces of information that need to be addressed, before the replacement can be done. Should one buy the LEDs locally, or online? What type of LED do I buy? What color? Hopefully this short write-up will help answer some of these questions, and add to my previous posts on using LED bulbs.

Buying LED Bulbs Online

Generally, across all consumer goods categories, the advent of online shopping has revolutionized the entire experience. It is my humble opinion that buying online is the best source for your LED needs. I've listed some examples :-

Super Bright LEDs

Motorcycle LED lights'

Custom Dynamics

You can also, of course, buy specific LEDs from your choice of Amazon.com or Ebay.com as well. There are many good sources for LED bulbs. I specifically would like to call out 'JDM A Star', a retailer on Amazon, who consistently stock high quality LED bulbs. I have purchased all my LED bulbs over the last 2 years through them.

Buying LED Bulbs Locally

I've found that Wal-Mart tends to stock some of these LED bulbs (both & sockets) . I am sure that auto stores (Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, etc) locally might also have these in stock, at retail locations. So If one wants to buy them locally, it'd be best to call up and enquire.

However, the key problem when buying from Wal-Mart /local store Is that you'd need to make sure it's the latest technology bulb, and not an older version. How can you do this? The LED I used, bought from JDM A Star on Amazon, had 144 SMDs! I'm not sure you'd get this from a local store :( that is my major concern buying locally. Wal-Mart or another store could order these in for you, and you'd have to call them up to check availability.
How to choose a bright LED bulb (and what are SMDs?)

Most modern LED bulbs have a # of SMDs. The SMD (Surface Mounted Diode) is the little square diode you see on an LED bulb. The higher the # of SMDs , the more output on them. We'd like to get these higher output ones. LEDs may also have a projector lens at the front.

Example of low SMD count LED (older, probably less output in general'cheaper)

Example of an older/smaller LED bulb

Below is an example of a newer LED bulb type, more SMDs, likely more light output and powerful

Projector lens on LEDs (the JDM A Star 144 SMD bulb, with the lens projector visible)

Also, the LEDs with more SMDs tend to be longer in length too. So one needs to make sure you these can be properly used in your particular ride. Generally they fit most bikes. Some unlucky bikes might have too tight a space, so use the respective manual/measure the space length available. The positive side is that most online retailers (especially Amazon) offer free returns.

A size comparison of my V Strom stock halogen turn bulb, vs the Amber LED replacement I installed

As you can see, the LED I used, bought from JDM A Star on Amazon, had 144 SMDs!The Amazon-sourced LED Amber bulb I bought. It has a high # of SMDs :)

If you can get a similar number of SMDs from your chosen source, that's great! As of early , the 144 SMD count LED bulbs seem to be the latest tech. But even if SMDs are lower in count, you might get a brighter output (there are 48 SMD bulbs that are fantastic and much brighter than stock bulbs)

Also, make sure the right socket is in play. Two wire solutions are generally sockets, while three wire (rear tail brake combined) bulbs are sockets.

Different types of sockets

Want more information on cob led chip vs csp led chip? Feel free to contact us.

You can use this handy tool to lookup info on your vehicle. Please also confirm/verify with your vehicle's manual!
Phillips Auto light ' Bulb Finder

Types of sockets : 2 wire & 3 wire

You need to choose the color you need based on the output, not based on the bulb housing! What I mean by this is, that if you're buying turn bulbs, get Amber bulbs. It doesn't matter of your lens housing is Amber or clear. You might be tempted to buy white bulbs if you've Amber/Red bulb lens housing'. Please do not :) . The physics of light and how colors work, guides us to buying the color you wish to see.

How to choose color of LED | Does my Lens Housing Color Matter?

An Amber housing absorbs all other colors except Amber'. If you've a while LED rated for 5W, then only the Amber sub-component of that 5W light output is being transmitted by your housing. We don't want that !

If you instead use an Amber LED bulb rated for 5W, then all that 5W output gets transmitted out through the Amber housing. This is what we need! More light, better! So always buy the bulb based on your need, not based on the housing lens color.

Hope this helps anyone trying to update their motorcycle/car/truck lights to LEDs.

Please feel free to bring any corrections or updated additional info if you have any. I'd humbly appreciate your feedback! :)

Regards,
Vishnu

thepaleobiker

Today's most efficient way of illuminating and lighting is undoubtedly LED. When compared with older lighting technologies such as Incandescent, Halogen and CFL bulbs, you will find that LED is by far the most energy saving and smart solution.

The pace at which LED technology is growing is truly incredible, although they've now been around for many years, today's LED technology has completely changed lighting as we know it. We'll be the first to admit that the process hasn't always been consumer friendly, and we've compiled this guide to help you understand how any why you can benefit from making the switch.

What is an LED?

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are a type of electronic light source. LEDs are different from conventional light sources such as incandescent and halogen lamps. They last much longer, consume far less energy and emit very little heat. They are highly durable and do not feature fragile elements such as glass tubes or filaments; they are also safer because they do not contain any mercury or lead. LED bulbs are now available in the most common light fittings, including GU10, B22, E27 and MR16.

How much power do LEDs use?

LED Bulbs use up to 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen bulb of equivalent brightness. LEDs are far more efficient at converting electricity, measured in watts, into light, measured in lumens. As such, a typical 4 watt LED bulb can easily achieve a light output comparable to a 50 watt halogen, sometimes higher due to its high lumen to watt ratio.

How long do LEDs last?

One of the biggest benefits of using LED is its outstanding life time expectation due to very efficient thermal management, LED Bulbs are able to remove heat through heat sinks to help prolong the life expectancy of the bulb by slowing down lumen depreciation. A well-built LED with good thermal management should last up to 50,000 hours. Be wary of retailers making exaggerated claims about the life expectancy of their products.

How bright are LEDs?

The brightness of a bulb is measured in lumens (Lm), the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb. Despite using very low wattages, LEDs are able to emit the same brightness as traditional light sources. To make things easier, most retailers quote an equivalent incandescent wattage so consumers can replace their lights and keep the same brightness.

You used to look for wattage when buying new light bulbs, but wattage only measures energy use. Because energy efficient bulbs use considerably fewer watts, we now use lumens, which measure brightness, to select new bulbs. The chart below can help you determine how many lumens you'll need from your new bulbs:

You used to look for
WATTS (Energy)Now you look for
LUMENS (Brightness) 150 W lm 100 W lm 75 W lm 60 W800 lm 40 W450 lm Estimates based on typical incandescent bulbs

How can LEDs help me save money?

Whether it's in a standard household or a commercial environment, lighting represents as much as 20% of the overall energy consumption. By switching to LED, a considerable amount of money can be saved due to the lower wattages of the products. LEDs also last far longer so you won't need to replace them often and their reliability means you won't need to worry about maintenance. Once you've switched to LED, you will start saving money in less than a year.

Are LEDs safe?

Yes. Unlike CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), LEDs do not contain mercury. They also give off comparatively little heat, making them safer to handle after prolonged use. The absence of glass enclosures and fragile parts also reduces the likelihood of breakage, so you won't have to worry about broken glass.

Why are LED lights eco-friendly?

Using LED lights cuts carbon emissions. When you replace your old incandescent or CFL bulbs with LED, you are essentially reducing harmful CO2 levels being released into the air. This is because LED lights use less energy, energy that power plants produce by burning fossil fuels and oil. The less energy that these power plants need to make through burning of fuel, the less carbon emissions are released into the environment.

LED lights don't waste energy. Incandescent bulbs consume high amounts of energy but only give minimal light luminance. Where is the excess energy going? Excess energy is converted to heat and released also into the environment, excess energy means wasted energy.

LED lights do not contain harmful metals. Lead and mercury are classified as the most toxic heavy metals in the world. And halogen, incandescent, and CFLs contain these heavy metals. Discarding these bulbs elsewhere or even in landfills can cause the lead and mercury content to spill and be mixed into your source of water or as a vapour in the air you breathe. On the other hand, LEDs don't contain any of these harmful metals.

What types of LED bulbs are there?

Thankfully, LED bulbs exist as replacements for most caps, shapes and sizes so there's always an LED for you.

We stock LEDs in a wide range of types including standard GLS, candles, golf balls, reflectors, spotlights and tubes.

Will your LED bulbs work in my existing fittings?

Yes, all our LED bulbs are retrofit and are designed to work with existing light fittings and be used as direct replacements. Please ensure that any fittings being placed in bathrooms are both fire-rated and waterproof and hold suitable certification of IP65 or higher to comply with relevant building regulations for bathrooms.

Are LED bulbs dimmable?

Like most retailers, we offer both dimmable and non-dimmable LED Bulb options; you will find these on our respective product pages.

Do I need to use a special dimmer for LED dimmable bulbs?

Yes. LEDs use very little power compared to halogen bulbs. While this is good news for your electricity bills, it also means they will not work properly with your existing dimmer switches and may lead to a shortened bulb life, a lower light output and a buzzing sound. For an optimum performance, you must use trailing edge dimmers which have lower minimum loads and are designed to be used with LED bulbs.

We offer a wide range of compatible LED dimmers, which you can see here.

Do LEDs come on immediately or do they need to warm up?

Unlike CFLs, which usually take a few minutes to reach full brightness, LEDs reach full brightness instantaneously.

What is an SMD LED?

SMDs (Surface Mounted Device) are the new generation of LED lighting, the majority of our bulbs contain SMD chips allowing our bulbs to be much brighter than older generations of LED. The LED is soldered directly onto the PCB therefore requiring less space and improves the thermal connection.

What is a COB LED?

Chip on Board (COB) is the most recent development in LED technology using chips with multiple diodes (typically 9, or more). There is no casing with COB technology which enables a much denser LED array of light compared to SMD. A consistent and controlled light beam is given off, without any visible individual light points, thus offering great optics. COB offers a greatly improved lumen per watt ratio compared with other LED technologies such as DIP and SMD. COB technology gives the best conditions for optimal cooling, which in turn will increase efficiency and lengthen the overall life of the lamp.

What colours are LED bulbs available in?

Light output is most commonly found in one of three colours: warm white, cool white and daylight. Warm white is usually used in domestic capacities and is the normal colour associated with a standard halogen bulb making the ideal replacement. Cool white is a cooler white colour often associated with fluorescent tubes in offices or retail outlets. Daylight colour is a very white light, almost with a tinge of blue to it, and provides the very best colour rendering.

Will LEDs operate outdoors or in cold temperatures?

LED are ideal for operation under cold and low outdoor temperature settings unlike CFLs. They are also extremely durable and built with sturdy components and can withstand tough conditions. Because LEDs are resistant to shock, vibrations and external impacts, they make a perfect choice for outdoor light systems.

For more information, please visit smd vs cob led-technology.