LED Lightbulb replacements

[josh]

Has anyone tried replacing the generic 1157 type bulbs in turn signals and such with LED type bulbs. After a bit of research on Manjo's site it seems that the 1500a cuts it pretty close with amperage so not much to spare for accesorries, and I have been thinking of adding 2 55watt driving lights, which are 4.5 amps apeice if the conversion I found is correct. Anyhow was thinking I could gain some amperage by swapping to led bulbs

[v0lusia]

I did it with my Volusia but after riding with people behind me they said they were hard to see in daylight. So I dumped them. LEDs are "directional" meaning they send light out in a narrow path. Regular bulbs send light out in a wider path that is easier to see. Expensive LEDs are much brighter but they are big bucks. Police, fire, and trucks are using them but I haven't seen them in 1157 type bulbs.

[VulcanE]

I have swapped all mine out for 1157 and 1156 base bulbs. They have 32 LEDs per bulb, 18 shine straight out, then they have 2 rows of 9 going around to shine out in all directions. I've asked everyone I ride with if they can see them, and everyone says they can see them just fine, and the law hasn't pulled me over either. One thing, they draw so little power that the bike thinks it has a blown bulb (turns flash real fast), so I had to get a "load equalizer" and mount in-line, now they flash normal. I used a "dual load equalizer", so I could use one unit for both turns. The brake light works without an equalizer. I have all clear lenses. In the back,red LEDs (2 in the stock turns, 2 in the trunk turns, 1 in the stock brake) and 2 amber in the front turns. I think I paid $17 a set on eBay, and the load eaqulizer came with the Kury "Run-Turn-Brake controller"

[moenko]

I will recommend Sylvania SilverStar bulbs for both the headlamp and the directionals - they are definitely brighter than the stock bulbs. I used the Sylvania 4H-ST in the headlight of my C50 with great results at night. Planning on replacing all bulbs on the Nomad with that type as well, including the lightbar.

[scion0]

I did not know Sylvania SilverStar made bulbs the directionals too. Do you happen to have the part number? I use them in my headlamp already.

[moenko]

Hi Scion, yes, the single filament (rear) are "1156A ST" and the dual filament (front) are "1157A ST". I use the 1157 for the tail light also. The bulb has a slight orangy tint to it but it will not actually "shine" orange.

[v0lusia]

Originally Posted by moenko

Hi Scion, yes, the single filament (rear) are "1156A ST" and the dual filament (front) are "1157A ST". I use the 1157 for the tail light also. The bulb has a slight orangy tint to it but it will not actually "shine" orange.

If you can find them with out the A in the number they should be clear the A is for Amber (I am not sure they make them). Also you can use a 2357 bulb, I got mine at Advanced Auto (Moe fyi.... you need 2 1157/2357s for the taillight)
http://www.gadgetjq.com/brakelight_replacement.htm

[moenko]

Ah, that makes sense and would be the correct bulb for the tail lights. Thanks Shawn!!!

Originally Posted by v0lusia

If you can find them with out the A in the number they should be clear the A is for Amber (I am not sure they make them). Also you can use a 2357 bulb, I got mine at Advanced Auto (2 1157/2357s are required for the taillight)
http://www.gadgetjq.com/brakelight_replacement.htm