CHMSL LED mod

[-=Jeff=-]

rear bulbs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by secondchance

Which LED do you recommend for tail/brake lights and side markers?

There is a series article in HOTB which goes into detail, including sources and options for LEDs.

Some of the individual electrical circuits may require LOAD resistors to replace the original current drawn by the stock incandescent bulbs or certain components (e.g., relays, blinker switches, etc) may not work - affecting other lights, etc. in the circuit.

Where LOAD RESISTOR option is necessary, understand that resistor is intended to restore the normal (stock) current load otherwise interrupted by the insertion of the LED(s). No reduction in current load (of the alternator) will be realized...in those instances.

The CHMSL is NOT one of them. The CHMSL circuit branch is isolated from the brake light circuit branch - "stand alone" (if you will). Therefore, the CHMSL is unique in that no LOAD resistor is necessary.

However, If LEDs are inserted in the tail/stop lights, you have two choices:

1. LOAD RESISTORS
   
2. using a special "LED" (turn signal) blinker* (highly recommended!)

*Upgrading the turn signal blinker avoids having to use LOAD RESISTORS. Such resistors replaces the original current demands of the original circuit design, defeating the advantage using LEDs would have otherwise provided.

The stock HAZARD blinker does NOT have to be changed - internally designed differently to work regardless of the load, even if one or more lights are damaged/not working.

For more specific details/sources, PM me.

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

However, If LEDs are inserted in the tail/stop lights, you have two choices:

1. LOAD RESISTORS
   
2. using a special "LED" (turn signal) blinker* (highly recommended!)

*Upgrading the turn signal blinker avoids having to use LOAD RESISTORS. Such resistors replaces the original current demands of the original circuit design, defeating the advantage using LEDs would have otherwise provided.

The stock HAZARD blinker does NOT have to be changed - internally designed differently to work regardless of the load, even if one or more lights are damaged/not working.

For more specific details/sources, PM me.

Thanks for the heads-up, Paul. I suspected reduced load messing with conventional blinker and ordered LED friendly electronic blinkers. Didn't know about hazard lights not needing electronic blinker and ordered two. Ah, well...

Also, last Saturday I was eager to see if I can make CHMSL work with new LED strip and used 3M solution to rig it - not the most elegant solution. I ordered 1/8" x 1/8" plastic angles so that I can create a slot where LED strip can be slid in and out. No one probably will ever have to disassemble CHMSL housing since LED life expectancy is pretty high but just in case the next owner (not that I am planning on selling the car but) upon disassembly will not double over in laughter.

[-=Jeff=-]

I have no Load resistors and Hazard flasher works fine.. I still have the front 2 parking bulbs as incandescent.. no issues

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I have no Load resistors and Hazard flasher works fine.. I still have the front 2 parking bulbs as incandescent.. no issues

I wonder if it’s due to 4 LED lights lighting up simultaneously adding up to sufficient load that even conventional blinker is able to see the load and function as intended.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I have no Load resistors and Hazard flasher works fine.. I still have the front 2 parking bulbs as incandescent.. no issues

Yep! I concur. Initially I considered LOAD resistors for the tail lights, because the turn blinker would not function after LEDs were installed (current draw was too small w/ LEDs). However, replacing the blinker with one deigned to work with LEDs was much easier to do.

If one also replaces the HAZARD blinker for an LED rated one, I don't see that being necessary, based on actual testing. With or without bulbs or LEDs connected, the HAZARD blinker cycled at the same rate - regardless of load.

Obviously then, it (the blinker switch) appears to be a different animal from the turn signal blinker...AND it makes sense(?) when I thought about it: HAZARD function is critical, even if one or several lights are (say) smashed/broken in an accident - the reason for using the HAZARD blinker in the first place. Whereas, the turn signal blinker failing is intended as an indicator to the driver that a bulb is burnt out/not working (i.e., not on the same level of urgency as the HAZARD blinker...).

I opted for simply replacing the incandescent tail/brake light bulbs with LEDs.

Far as LED brightness goes, there are choices. I chose LEDs that do boost visibility somewhat, but (my thought was) w/o being obnoxiously bright to drivers behind me. Cost too increases with lumens. But, I don't see the need for the stop lights to "blare" like the after-burners of a fighter jet!

The brake lights are "tower" LEDs; cylindrical. However, the sockets for the corner turn illumination lights would not accept the tower bulbs, due to the construction of the LED bases. Some go after the sockets with a Dremel and reshape them so the LEDs would fit. However, there IS an LED replacement that has the proper base designed to be a direct replacement for incandescent bulbs (also shown below).

.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Far as LED brightness goes, there are choices. I chose LEDs that do boost visibility somewhat, but (my thought was) w/o being obnoxiously bright to drivers behind me. Cost too increases with lumens. But, I don't see the need for the stop lights to "blare" like the after-burners of a fighter jet!

I completely disagree with this statement. As stated above I was rear ended on the freeway 3 times in 15 months. I would rather burn a hole in the AZZHATs retina behind me if it saves me from being rear ended ever again (BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE ME STOPPING). My Zs are daily drivers vs. a pleasure car on the weekends so every work day I am in the thick of traffic. Its a safety issue. My Safety..

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

I completely disagree with this statement. As stated above I was rear ended on the freeway 3 times in 15 months. I would rather burn a hole in the AZZHATs retina behind me if it saves me from being rear ended ever again (BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE ME STOPPING). My Zs are daily drivers vs. a pleasure car on the weekends so every work day I am in the thick of traffic. Its a safety issue. My Safety..

You may have a point! And, those "retina burning" LEDs are available. But, i'm not sure a red ARC light would make a difference...I'm familiar with Pheonix AND Tucson area freeway traffic - almost as bad as I-295 or I-355's contruction zones @ rush hour through Chicago. (Perhaps welding a section of railroad track as bumpers might work. Hang LEDs from those!

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

You may have a point! And, those "retina burning" LEDs are available. But, i'm not sure a red ARC light would make a difference...I'm familiar with Pheonix AND Tucson area freeway traffic - almost as bad as I-295 or I-355's contruction zones @ rush hour through Chicago. (Perhaps welding a section of railroad track as bumpers might work. Hang LEDs from those!

Lol and rear rockets. Remember James Bond drove a C4 in a bond film

[XfireZ51]

I have one of Jeff’s CHMSL on RozaNero.