Need Your Experience With 1157 LED Purchases

[patbrandon1]

Can you please share with me what LED blinker bulbs you have bought that have the best difference between running mode and braking mode for a 1987 1200 Interstate? I.E. which bulbs get a lot brighter when you apply the brakes?

I have searched GoldwingDocs, because I slightly remember WingAdmin posting which bulb he had great success with, but could not find it. I also searched the internet to try to find some info, but without actually seeing the bulbs in action, it is pretty much a crap shoot as to what bulb may be adequate.

I was sucessful when I went all LEDs on my '82 Interstate 1100. But the same bulbs I bought do not create enough of a difference between running, and when the brake light comes on. I am pleased with how the blinkers work and show up. I believe because the lense in the rear of the '87 is different, that may cause the light to not produce as much of a visible difference between running, and braking.

I don't really want to have to keep buying different bulbs to see which one may produce enough of a difference to be safe. So I am asking for your experience with which LEDs worked best for you as a big visible difference for your brake lights.

So if you can help me save some money by not havng to buy thirty-six more bulbs to find a good one, I will send you some cookies or a pie. (That is if I can get Annie to make you some, because you would not want to eat anything I baked).

[Charlie1Horse]

Hello Pat,
I tried several LEDs for my 86 GL1200A and found that most of the units that I bought locally would not be satisfactory at all. The way they were designed and the design of the 1200 tail light assembly would lose most of the illumination in the light assembly as the units would light up straight out of the end but I needed them to light up all around the side. I ended up finding some on ebay and they worked very well, as well as on my GL1500I. Check ebay for:
4x 1156 High Power 2835 Chip Amber Yellow Turn Signal Blinker LED Light Bulbs
These are AMBER for the rear turn signals and will be plenty bright. I left the regular bulbs in the front turn lights and the turn signals flash faster than before but don't hyper-flash.
4x 1157 High Power 2835 Chip Red Projector Turn Signal/Brake LED Light Bulbs
These are RED for the tail and stop lights and will be plenty bright
Be sure to use AMBER for the rear turn signal lamps and RED for the tail lights They are much better than the white ones.
WingAdmin can explain the reason for this much better than I. You can even contact SYNETIC through ebay for more help.
I use the white 1156 High Power 2835 Chip units for backup lights on my truck and blind everyone that walks behind me.
They're Awesome!!
Plus if you order both at the same time you will save another 10% off the approx. $25.00 each with free shipping.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

[flash1942]

I use Superbright LED.com for all my LED needs. They have an absolutely super selection of quality LEDS. And can fill other needs as well.

[Superhawk]

+1 for Superbright LED.com I recently replaced mine and also added one of the strobe modules to the trunk brake lights. I used the 27 led units. Were $15 each. I like them but they do cut down on my radio reception.

[Charlie1Horse]

The SYNETICs are about $30.00 or less for 4 bulbs. Packed in sets of 4 and if you buy 2 sets you get %10 off and FREE shipping.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

[wiretician]

I replaced mine about 8 years ago, happy with the look and performance. Tried to look back and find the info on them, but to no avail. However, LED's have made great leaps and strides in the technology. What I got is probably still available, but now there are better ones out there. Just keep in mind that what LED bulb you put in place must be the same color as the lens it is shining through, or it will look odd. I had gotten some small white LED's to replace in my 4 red lens king lights on back. The white with the red lens gave it a purple hue look, since they were just running lights I didn't mind that. Also, since mine are a bit older, they didn't come with the load resistors, and now there are some with them built in. I just have the tail light indicator on all the time. Besides, from an electrical stand point, putting the load resistor in defeats the purpose of lowering the current with the LED's to ease the draw on the system. You also need to open up the space the bulb will go in and get an idea of the space the bulb will have to fill, as I recall, there were lots of bulbs that wouldn't have enough room in that space, most were meant to occupy a automotive tail section with lots more room. I've since changed all, but the headlight to LED's, and added a few. Currently working on adding some cornering lights. Hope I've at least put some LED light on the subject!!