LED bulb replacements

[Bryan Boyle]

In the theme of 'having on hand for future consideration', has anyone researched the replacement LED bulbs for our cars?

Specifically:

Side marker lights
License plate lights
single filament turn signals (yes, I know the flasher has to be updated to an electronic; did that last summer)
Stop/running lights
Instrument lights

Just wondering...

[BDA]

A few years ago I made up a list and posted it somewhere... I looked on the lotuseuropa group files section and in the Technical Articles and DIY tools and tips section here and I couldn't find it so here it is:

Superbrightleds.com
===================
Brake light (2):                 1157-R24-WV
Rear Turn signal (2):          1156-A24-WV
Front Turn signal (2):         1157-A24-WV
Backup lights (2):              4410-W1-CB

Rear Side markers (2):       BA9S-R4-90-12VAC
Front Side markers (2):      BA9S-A4-90-12VAC

License plate lamps (2):     LPC-C-NW2

High beam indicator (1):     BA7S-B (for S2)
Turn indicators (2):            BA7S-G (for S2)
Oil/ignition indicators (2):   BA7S-R (for S2)

Interior Festoon (1):           3610-NW4

Moss Motors
===========
Instruments (6):         170-972 or
                                      170-971 (short)

Summit Racing
=============
Flashers (2):           

I don't remember where I got all this but it all worked on my car. I was warned early on that you should use the correct color LED bulb or it could wash out the lens (i.e. a white LED behind a red lens gives you a pink light).

I searched some of the Superbrighleds.com part numbers and some are discontinued but they give alternates. I have the European style tail lights (red/white/amber) so I have a separate turn signal light. This will likely mean that you'll have a different brake light than the one I listed. Superbrightleds.com has a conversion search feature (or used to) where you enter the bulb number and it gives you LED options.

I had some issues with my idiot lights. I think there were two different style bulbs used on my car so don't assume you'll need only one style. I don't remember exactly what I did but I had to get new bulb holders from britishwiring.com. Here are some notes I made but other than the bulb holder callout, I can't help you with it. (I think I might have replaced all of my idiot light bulb holders.)

Idiot lights

5) C614 push in bulb holder to fit 1/2" tube
1) blue/white 14 ga wire
1) brown/yellow 14 ga wire
1) white/black 14 ga wire

I went to different flashers because the turn signal cancel mechanism isn't very good and I would go a mile down the road with my turn signal still on. I went with two of these (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KG4NMSN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) but I'm not sure I would advise it. These flashers make a beeping sound which sounds very strange but I've gotten used to it. I believe Superbrightleds.com sells resistors to put with your turn signals so you can use the original flashers. I thought that was not "in keeping" with using LEDs... Oh well...

If I were to do it again, I don't think I would bother with the idiot lights. It may be because of my flashers but the idiot lights don't really flash properly. A turn signal idiot light will turn on and it just gets dim between flashes.

The LED in my oil pressure gauge was too long and fouled the needle so I had to pull it out a little. That gauge doesn't light up as brightly as the others. That may be why I added the short version of the instrument lights but it may not be. I think I would have fixed it if I had a shorter bulb that worked...

Wish I could be mroe help!

[Bryan Boyle]

Jim: your list is MORE than helpful!  Moss, in their print catalogues, do talk to matching the color of the LED to the color of the lens so at to not wash out...pink stop lights aren't exactly legal.  Can't help but think that reducing the current draw (as small as it may be) is a good thing...as an aside, replaced all the lights on my Cessna with 'legal' LED upgrades, and the ammeter barely moves when I turn on the landing/taxi and position lights whereas before it was a noticable needle movement when I did make my presence known. 

I'm liking the Kyoto headlight H4 replacements I got from Daniel Stern Lighting.  Have the high-current relay system to install at some point; don't drive a lot at night, and when I have...they are a lot better than the Cibies I had on the S2; the tooling is worn out for whomever is producing them, but the new retrofits are excellent (Japanese) quality.

I already swapped out the two flashers for electronic; they're just more reliable and non-dependent on voltage (ie they flash at the same rate regardless of whether it's 13.8v while at road speed or a little less sitting at a light.)  Also, cranked up the flash rate a bit for the hazzard so it's more noticable (if I need it; let's face it, at some point a Lotus needs to have the hazards on while on the side of the road...lol).

I'll check superbrightleds for their current stock.  These mods are 'on the list' albeit at the bottom if you saw my workshop 'to do', 'in process', and 'active job' shelves.  I keep nibbling around the BIG job of yanking the lump, farming out the tranny for refresh, and doing the head gaskets, seals, and clutch. 

Appreciate the list, and have printed out for later acquisition! 

[BDA]

Glad it was helpful.

I’m contemplating installing relays for “everything.” The headlight switch posts are pretty massive and the current draw is a lot less with my LED headlights so I may not bother with relays for them. I don’t drive much at night either so I figure the stress on the switch is pretty minimal.