LED Tailight Bulbs

[John P]

I'm interested in replacing the 6 VOLT brake light bulbs in my Euro '67 for the following reasons:

1. Brighter brake lights, and
2. Drawing less power (a precious commodity on a 6 volt car).

I'm interested in the screw-in bulb replacements.





I see ads for 12 volt bulbs, and I see ads for 6 volt bulbs for Porsche 356, but no 6 volt Beetle bulbs.

Does anyone have a source or experience with these? Does the 6 volt Porsche 356 bulb cross over to the 6 volt Beetle bulb in my '67?

Thanks, in advance. Driving my car during the day while being tailgated is scary, especially if the sun is low.

Cheers,

JP

[fiatdude]

John --- --- The 1156 and 1157 (single and dual filament -12v) style LED lights were innerchangable  with the 6v housings on my '56 -- just stuck some in --- I can't believe that the old Porsche's use different style bulbs. Go down to the ye old autoparts store and have them cross reference them.

[madoski]

Looks like you found those on the Samba.  Have you checked some of the online LED suppliers (I think LUMILED is one)...they've got all kinds of bulbs, and you may end up spending less there cause that's all they sell.  Just a thought.

[KAFUR1]

chip birks!!!!  _  has the best led's iv seen 

[Dougzilla]

Check here. I've ordered some LED dash bulbs for my Thing
from here.



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

[fiatdude]

I've got Chip's in my rear lights -- the superbrights in my dash and went down to the local autoparts store for the front turn signals like the one above. If I remember they were about $10-$12 each

[Chip Birks]

Thanks guys 
I'm awaiting a new run of boards...62-67 style.  12v only for this round though.  They will be here Feb 1.  Should have them available by mid month at the very latest.

[John P]

Thanks for all of the replies. I've done some more research, and the problem appears to be in sourcing a 6 volt, dual filament bulb ('62-67). Most of the 6 volt bulbs I've found are single filament ('61-ish and earlier).

I did find a replacement panel in 6 volt for the above, but it replaces the entire unit (turn signals/tail lights/brake lights). The problem is that you have to change your turn signal flasher to a electronic one because the LEDs don't draw enough power to activate the stock flasher. I don't want to do that (plus the brake lights blink at first which looks goofy on a vintage car, IMHO).

I have found one that appears it may work:

http://www.sierramadrecollection.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=6957





Listed for Porsche 356 (1950-1965). They refer to it as a "two-connector" which suggests that it's a dual filament. $45.50 a piece.   It looks like it matches the original bulb from my Euro '67. I'll email them to see if I can find out more. My only concern is that the bulbs are not red, and I've read that LEDs need to be the colour of the lens to get the best effect.

Another company lists a 6 volt 1157 in LED:

http://www.restoration-design.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1157-6V&Category_Code=



Only $12 per bulb. My concern is that they don't look like they have enough LEDs to make a big difference (and there are no before and after pics)

[Chip Birks]

John,
You're right about the light color being important.  I put red behind red lenses.  I've played around with amber behind red lenses just for curiosities sake and the lens looked totally amber.  I've heard that white will make a red lens look very pink.  Also, I have access to 6v LED compatible flashers.  They are awesome!  No rapid fire braking going on here.  I wouldn't sell them if they did that.  Not my thing.  I'll PM you the info on them if you'd like. 

[Chip Birks]

John,
Did you actually inquire about the color of the lights when lit?  I know that they are clear right now, but that doesn't mean thats the actual color.  I couldn't find any lit info on them on the site...
You can see that these have clear lights as well, but they light red.

[fiatdude]

I like the clear lights better than the red ones, just because they are brighter, which was the reason I switched in the first place.

[martin]

I was also told to not get the red ones as they are not as bright as the white ones. The pic of the 1157 bulb above has the 'chip style' of LED which are the most powerful LEDs and you will see them also on the floodlights for homes as they are the brightest. Does anyone make LED bulbs for headlights? LEDs are bright enough now.

[flat top]

Chip
What LED bulb would you use for the front turn signal on a 12V 66 bug?

Wayne

[Chip Birks]

I honestly couldn't tell you. I just ran regular incandescents on my 60. And will probably do the same on my 63 when it is done...at least for now, there is always the possibility that I could do something board style, but not sure how to pull that off and still look okay behind a very see through lens. I'll have to play around with it. I'll build my own stuff before I go to an autoparts store to buy the socketed types.

[flat top]

Chip
Do you have a web site so I can look at what you do???

Wayne

[Chip Birks]

Wayne, I do not have a site up at this time.  Best place to go is thesamba.com I have an ad there, it has a bunch of photos and info. 
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=892796