Topic: 1157 LED bulbs

[HawaiiMike]

I picked up a couple of 1157 LED bulbs intending to use one for the tail light on my CB550.  Here's the e-bay auction so you can see the description: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250613924773&viewitem=#ht_3082wt_1165

Both bulbs work, however they only work as a brake light.  The marker light function doesn't seem to work.  My old incandescent tail light bulb works correctly so I know it's not a wiring problem with the bike.

Does anybody have a solution or a recommendation for a different bulb?  At least I didn't spend a lot - $5 bucks including postage for two.

Thanks, Mike

[mick750F]

   Here you go...http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Ftail-brake-turn.html

Mike

[Pac-Man350]

The LEDs probably don't draw enough juice to function as a marker. You may have to get a load resistor for that.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fcarbulb-notes.htm

[mystic_1]

Why would he need a load resistor for a taillight?

I understand why some people use them on turn signals, but you do not need one for a taillight.  Don't need one for turn signals either if you change your flasher relay.

Sounds like faulty bulbs to me.  Tried jumpering them straight to the battery to test them?

mystic_1

[Industrial Rat400f Killer]

I bought one of those LED lights from super bright and it's not super bright, more like super dim.
I only bought one because the 1157 bulbs that I could find were junk and lasted a short time.

[Pac-Man350]

I bought one of those LED lights from super bright and it's not super bright, more like super dim.
I only bought one because the 1157 bulbs that I could find were junk and lasted a short time.

there are some LEDs that are in fact super bright, I've used some small bulbs in my dash on another bike and they allow me to see (turn indicator, neutral indicator) in direct sunlight. I'll probably look at some point at doing this in the CB350f.
The taillight bulbs are noticeably more dim and I would not use them if you plan on riding at dusk or at night. They draw less power and there is no filament to get joggled or broken on a bump, but they are definitely dim.

[mystic_1]

The taillight bulbs are noticeably more dim

As you say this depends entirely on the bulb.  Not all LED's are the same just as not all incandescent bulbs are the same.

You need to be looking for specs in either "lumens" or "millicandles" (mcd) to tell you how bright the LED's you're buying will be.  I have some 1000mcd LEDs that I'll be using in my taillight conversion, they're plenty bright.  Off-the-shelf Radio Shack LED's can start as low as 5- to 10 mcd.  Special LEDs from places like www.superbrightleds.com can get up to 18,000 mcd.

Replacement 1157 bulbs can vary between any of these extremes.  If there's no output spec listed, beware!  Many of the LED 1157's sold in auto-parts stores are too dim.  It doesn't matter if they have 5, 9, or 20 internal LEDs of those LEDs are feeble.

Don't try to compare lumens versus mcd, btw, they're not the same.  Google or Wikipedia or HERE for more info on this.

Beware also to look at Beam Width specs.  Many LEDs throw only a narrow beam.  Wide-angle LEDs are better for this application.

mystic_1

[HawaiiMike]

Why would he need a load resistor for a taillight?

I understand why some people use them on turn signals, but you do not need one for a taillight.  Don't need one for turn signals either if you change your flasher relay.

Sounds like faulty bulbs to me.  Tried jumpering them straight to the battery to test them?

mystic_1

I wired them straight to the battery and they are very bright!  Both the marker and brake light work.  I have two other motorcycles I can install them on and see if the bulbs work.  The stock light bulb works in the socket, I wonder why these don't?

[Stixxy]

I've been using two like these in my tail light for 2 years with no problems. They are plenty bright day and night.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/4-18-LED-RED-1157-BASE-PARK-LIGHT-BULB-DC-12V-/280495346994?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414ed35532

[mystic_1]

Why would he need a load resistor for a taillight?

I understand why some people use them on turn signals, but you do not need one for a taillight.  Don't need one for turn signals either if you change your flasher relay.

Sounds like faulty bulbs to me.  Tried jumpering them straight to the battery to test them?

mystic_1

I wired them straight to the battery and they are very bright!  Both the marker and brake light work.  I have two other motorcycles I can install them on and see if the bulbs work.  The stock light bulb works in the socket, I wonder why these don't?

That's a bit odd, so the LED bulbs work fine on both functions when tested manually, but not when plugged into the socket, and a stock bulb words fine in the socket?

Are the bulb bases the same?  Post photos of both if you can.  Sure you're putting it in the right way around?  Normally 1157 bulbs can only go in one way because the side pins are offset from each other, but it's possible to do if the socket is worn and/or the bulb's pins are short.  Try rotating the bulb 180 degrees and see if you can still put it in.

Reaching even further, test the polarity of the current coming from the socket and make sure both circuits run in the same direction.  Incandescent bulbs don't care about polarity but LED's do.

mystic_1

[MikeJW]

If the polarity isn't correct, LEDs won't light at all. LED means 'light emitting diode' and a diode will only pass current in one direction.
Just tryin' to help.
Mike in Memphis

[vorhese]

I made my own for my Triumph. I used the same bulb.

[HawaiiMike]

I think it's okay now!  The bike is in pieces, I was connecting the tail light wires to the battery however I had not tried reversing them.  Now the lights work.

Thanks

[Industrial Rat400f Killer]

Wile I research deeper into which led might be brighter than he one I have can somebody tell me something?

Which is brighter?
clear led behind a red lense
red led behind a clear lense

[mystic_1]

A red lens absorbs all wavelengths of light except for red, which it allows to pass.

A white LED emits light in all wavelengths.  Some of these then get blocked by the red lens.

A red LED emits light in only red wavelengths.  All of this light passes through the lens.

Therefore, with a red LED and red lens, more of the emitted light makes it through the lens.  Thus, red LED behind red lens is the brightest, all other things being equal.

mystic_1

[Industrial Rat400f Killer]

Thanks for the info I'll be ordering a new bulb soon.