<VV> License Plate Light Conversion to LED?

[George Jones]

Keep in mind that LED's typically have a narrow viewing angle. For instance,
a LED with a 60 degree viewing angle can be seen effectively from any
direction within 30 degrees of the top center of the LED. For early model
Tail/Brake/Signal lamps, as well as license lamps, this shouldn't present
much of a problem since their bulb socket faces rearward and the LED's would
project at the correct viewing angle. For late models, however, the bulb
socket insert from the bottom of the lamp housing at about a 30 degree angle
(a guess) from the horizontal. This would result in the need to mount the
LED's in the bulb socket at about a 60 degree angle, and ensure it faces
rearward.

There are a number of 1157 LED replacement bulbs available commercially, and
when inserted in the socket, they appeared bright enough (looking straight
on, or from the side), but when inserted in a late model socket, it just
didn't seem bright enough for my personal taste.

YMMV


On Nov 28, 2007 5:43 PM, Tony <tony.underwood at cox.net> wrote:

> At 02:12 PM 11/28/2007, paulsiano at aol.com wrote:
> >I have noticed that the bulb is "hard" on the lens.? Has anybody
> >tried an LED replacement?? Any suggestions as to where I might start
> >to learn more about the possibility of such a conversion?
>
>
> For what it's worth:
>
>
> You can roll your own LED park/brake/taglite replacements via some
> electronics savvy, an Allied Electronics catalog, and some inside
> knowledge about high intensity LEDs which can be had for cheap.
>
> All you would need is some burned-out lamp bases, a few resistors of
> the correct value, and a little ingenuity and you could cook up LED
> replacements for everything except the headlights.    What's more,
> the LED replacements would use *much* less than the incandescent
> originals.    And, they certainly wouldn't cook a dark spot on the
> tag light lens because they don't get hot.
>
> Likewise the domelight lens which is famous for browning out from the
> OEM type interior bulb.
>
>
> I just recently (last weekend) ordered a batch of LEDs to make
> headlights for the model train layout locomotives which don't vary in
> intensity (not DCC equipped) when you run the speed controls up and
> down.   I've been meaning to eventually get around to cooking up LED
> replacements for the park/brake lights on a couple of 'Vairs.
>
>
> tony..
>
>
>
>
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-- 
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George Jones
--------------------------------
Tidewater Corvair Club (since 1987)
Central Virginia Corvair Club (since 2006)
Corvair Society of America (CORSA)(since 1987)
'65 Monza Crown V8 Convertible
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2397326
'66 Monza Coupe Custom (in progress)