License plate LED bulb upgrade - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

WARP TEN · 07-01-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by efnfast

Hmmm, good point.

Yeah, I see why you would have worried with your old plate that they took away.....Bob

GOLDCYLON · 07-01-2017

All finished !

Tripler · 07-02-2017

Nice ...

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-=Jeff=- · 07-06-2017

#24 @ superbright LEDs. I will say they are not as bright in the side markers, the design of the bulb does not utilize the OEM reflector in the side markers.. Also the front turn/Park bulbs will require a resistor if replaced. I am still working on a solution without resistors as to me, the point of LED is less current, add the resistor and you have more draw again

ZR1North · 07-06-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

#24 @ superbright LEDs. I will say they are not as bright in the side markers, the design of the bulb does not utilize the OEM reflector in the side markers.. Also the front turn/Park bulbs will require a resistor if replaced. I am still working on a solution without resistors as to me, the point of LED is less current, add the resistor and you have more draw again

Every bulb in my '91 is now an LED, except for the front park/turn signals which I have not replaced for the reason Jeff mentioned. I assume a digital flasher (with the ground lead embedded) inserted in the four-way flasher would solve that problem, but I have yet to try it since the four-way flasher is so difficult to access. When I installed Corvette HID's replacement LED tail lights, I had to use an electronic flasher in the signal light flasher (which is much easier to access that the four-way flasher) to allow the signal lights to function properly, but that alone would not prevent the signal lights/flashers from operating erratically when I tried LEDs in the front.

-=Jeff=- · 07-06-2017

No the flasher will not fix it but will be needed. The problem is the way the side marker and park/turn bulbs are wired

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ZR1North · 07-06-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

No the flasher will not fix it but will be needed. The problem is the way the side marker and park/turn bulbs are wired

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Ah, I'll delve into the wiring diagrams further as well.

-=Jeff=- · 07-06-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZR1North

Ah, I'll delve into the wiring diagrams further as well.

I will save you the hassle. The side markers run 12v in both directions. Parking lights off, when turn signal is on the side marker is also on. Parking lights on the voltage travels the opposite way and when the turn signal it on the side maker turns off (opposite).

I have not really looked to see what can be done to keep the function the same.

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ZR1North · 07-07-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I will save you the hassle. The side markers run 12v in both directions. Parking lights off, when turn signal is on the side marker is also on. Parking lights on the voltage travels the opposite way and when the turn signal it on the side maker turns off (opposite).

I have not really looked to see what can be done to keep the function the same.

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Thanks Jeff - great analysis; no wonder the flashers and signal lights were erratic when I tried the LEDs in the front park/signal light sockets. I am going to delve into this further as well. Looks like some digital switching circuitry (to address the AND-OR functions) might be required between the lights and the control signals.

-=Jeff=- · 07-07-2017

This is from an 88, probably the same in later years but maybe not

GM used the filaments of the bulbs to their advantage, if I apply 12v to both sides of the bulb it will be off, but with LEDs that does not work, since the Bulb is basically a short, the new LEDs are not.

IF I were to place the LED in the front of my car and remove the front Side marker it will work in both cases

I have a 2 relay (per side) solution which might be the best I am going to get. it will change the wiring of the marker light and a ground will need to be added, But it would work.

Also in current OEM state, if you put LEDs in the front side marker, they will only with parking lights OR Turn signals, not both ( due to GM Design)

07-01-2017	#12
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	Re: License plate LED bulb upgrade All finished ! __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

07-02-2017	#13
Tripler Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 716	Re: License plate LED bulb upgrade Nice ... Sent from my LG-H831 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

07-06-2017	#14
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,144	Re: License plate LED bulb upgrade #24 @ superbright LEDs. I will say they are not as bright in the side markers, the design of the bulb does not utilize the OEM reflector in the side markers.. Also the front turn/Park bulbs will require a resistor if replaced. I am still working on a solution without resistors as to me, the point of LED is less current, add the resistor and you have more draw again __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

07-06-2017	#16
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,144	Re: License plate LED bulb upgrade No the flasher will not fix it but will be needed. The problem is the way the side marker and park/turn bulbs are wired Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978