LED vs Standard - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 11-17-2006, 08:13 PM

Has anyone used LED bulbs? Are they much brighter or the same?

techguy512 · #2 11-17-2006, 09:20 PM

I'm experimenting with LED bulbs now (interior only).

My goal is to change the dash and instrument lighting to red, at a brightness level that's makes the instruments visible.

The issue with our W123s is that the 74 series instrument (rice grain) bulb has a nearly omnidirectional illumination
pattern, and the light-pipe and fiber optic systems we have rely on it. The LED bulbs have a much narrower
viewing angle (most of the light comes out the front). I'm experimenting with mods to the bulb lens to get more
light out the sides.

For any given light output, the LED bulbs will be 5x to 10x more efficient. Less heat, and no more melted instrument
cluster plastic.

tobybul · #3 11-17-2006, 09:41 PM

r u saying that there is an LED bulb available that will fit into the cluster light sockets?? If so, where do u get them?

pawoSD · #4 11-17-2006, 09:56 PM

You can get LED's that have a wider dispersement of light than typical ones, they're just harder to find.... I like the dull yellowed lighting in my car, gives it that antique 1982 feel....similar to the lighting one would have found in a train station lobby at the turn of the 20th century.

twr · #5 11-17-2006, 10:53 PM

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/in_dim_search-1/N-111+10201+600002840/c-10101
LED Light Bulbs - JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

Biglex · #6 11-17-2006, 11:16 PM

What about for tail lights? Has anyone used these? I saw a set on ebay but didnt want to be the test dummy just yet since i just got the car a month ago.

PanzerSD · #7 11-18-2006, 12:17 AM

I tried the LED bulbs in the rear and all it did was reduce the light from an entire lens panel lighting up to a small red dot in the center of the lenses and it barely was visible from 25'

I AM going to switch to LEDS all around by using clear LED reverse 4" lamps and modifying my tail light housings...

I have a sample lamp and one of these days I'm going to try to see if it'll work, at least for the stop lamps...

I'll post pics..

Biglex · #8 11-18-2006, 12:51 AM

Please do post them when you get them. I found these on ebay, they could look really cool, and arent really expensive, just not sure how they would look. It also doesnt SPECIFICLy say the LEDs are included, just kinda leads you believe they are.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-95-MERCEDES-W124-E-CLASS-LED-TAIL-LIGHTS-300E-E320_W0QQitemZ300048928741QQihZ020QQcategoryZ33716QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

PanzerSD · #9 11-18-2006, 03:55 AM

The only thing LED about those is the turn signal. kind of pointless really, the better SAFER LED lights would have high intensity LEDS for all light functions..

Shawn D. · #10 11-18-2006, 08:58 AM

Y'all,

I've been making custom LED brake/tail/park/turn arrays for various BMWs and am going to devise a set for my W123 300td soon. Here are some more details as I posted in this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=1325480&postcount=245

Let me know if Y'all are interested in more than just a tire-kicking way.

-Shawn

techguy512 · #11 11-18-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

r u saying that there is an LED bulb available that will fit into the cluster light sockets??

Yes.

http://autolumination.com/194_marker.html

The #74 fits the CCU and fiber-optic spider, as well as some of the warning lamps in the instrument
cluster. I'm waiting for my #194 bulbs. I'm planning to use them for the dash lighting.

Like I said, I'm working on mods to the lenses to get more
light out of the side - especially needed for the fiber-optic spider.

Big J · #12 11-22-2006, 04:24 PM

I tried several LEDs from autolumination. The straight LEDs were nowhere bright enough to replce the bulbs in the dash. They have a non LED bulb called a superstar. It worked great, put out too much light. Worked great for 2 months until it melted the housing in my dash. I'm back to normal bulbs in the dash.

I replaced all festoon bulbs (inside and outside) with superbright LEDs and they work great. I replaced the gear selector light with an LED it works great. I have a thread with all the numbers and such if you search for LED and Big J.

Autolumination has a 28 or 32 LED bulb for the back. I bought 2 and replced my brake lights on one side. They were so much dimmer than the regular bulbs. I used the LEDs to replace my backup lights and they are fine for that.

rrgrassi · #13 11-22-2006, 04:50 PM

http://www.superlumination.com has some cool stuff.

Parrot of Doom · #14 11-22-2006, 05:45 PM

LED sidelights on mine:

At night they're superb. The spread isn't as good as normal filament bulbs, but its good enough.

Note that the headlights are normal bulbs. I'm waiting for one to pop so I have an excuse to purchase some better bulbs, something much less yellow.

katja · #15 11-23-2006, 02:11 AM

Another thing to remember is that the white LED's use a phosphor that degrades over time so the light will unfortunately become somewhat dimmer after a few years. Red, yellow & green LEDs don't have this problem.