To LED or not, That is the question

[Kaos]

I am doing more and more research and yesterday while cleaning up the car I decided to just check the lights to see if they worked and brightness.  Being a younger guy use to newer cars I would have to say I was less than impressed by the 6v bulbs, however there is a lot to be said about the car staying original and even getting that amber head light experience.

 

I know there is a 12v conversion that needs to take place to feed the bulb the required juice but the more I look around the less I am concerned by doing this.  Also safety is my main concern.  This car will be used on weekend drives and maybe a show or two and my children and wife will be with me.  My wife is also one of those I CAN DO THAT kind of girls and she just doesn't think things through like no power steering and dim lights.  Therefore I do want to honor the original state but I also want to ensure my family is safe and Mrs. Independent can keep her ego in tact. 

 

Have any of you guys taken the LED plunge and if so what have you went with?  I know the 6v bulbs are very week but with the advancements of LED they are getting better so what bulbs have you used and where to get them?  These are what I am currently looking at and do I need to use a convert box for each light or can feed the switch in with a 6v to 12v converter?

 

Tail Lights

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-46-1947-47-1948-48-Plymouth-LED-Tail-Lights-/280487954774?fits=Year%3A1947%7CMake%3APlymouth%7CModel%3AP15+Special+Deluxe&hash=item414e628956&vxp=mtr

 

Head Lights

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-WHITE-LED-RUNNING-PARK-LIGHT-7-H4-HEADLIGHTS-HEAD-LAMPS-w-RELAY-HARNESS-4-/281342335740?fits=Year%3A1947%7CMake%3APlymouth%7CModel%3AP15+Special+Deluxe&hash=item41814f5afc&vxp=mtr

 

Retro fitting something like behind the Park lamps

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-H3-White-6000K-10W-High-Power-Fog-Driving-Light-Bulb-Samsung-2323-LED-Lamp-/221424465388?hash=item338ded35ec&vxp=mtr

 

 

 

[casper50]

I'm going to use the 6 volt Halagen headlights.  I want as much headlight power as possible.  You won't believe how hard it is to see a moose sometimes.

[Plymouthy Adams]

bulbs are rated in watts...and the available watts is voltage relative per the resistance of the winding..(why a 6 volt bulb will go to toast on a 12 volt circuit)...and then you have lumens or candlepower that is the actual light given off...when comparing just 6 to 12 you cannot say one is brighter than the other...you look at the very rating of what is being used...and the biggest drawback is the glass lens that is not as translucent as the modern plastic....when comparing led to incandescent...yeah..you entering a new realm altogether. The big big factor of the LED over the standard is the many faceted elements compared to just a single non concentrated/focused as that of the polished rounded LED that concentrates the light..that...and the low power consumption.  And if you are making your own LED array..do not forget the dropping resistors to control current and thus the heat and the very factor that will give you long life with the LED..for 12 volt these values are in the 470, 560 and 680 range for brilliance per choice and control the heat accordingly..on the average one resistor will control three LEDs

[pflaming]

bulbs are rated in watts...and the available watts is voltage relative per the resistance of the winding..(why a 6 volt bulb will go to toast on a 12 volt circuit)...and then you have lumens or candlepower that is the actual light given off...when comparing just 6 to 12 you cannot say one is brighter than the other...you look at the very rating of what is being used...and the biggest drawback is the glass lens that is not as translucent as the modern plastic....when comparing led to incandescent...yeah..you entering a new realm altogether. The big big factor of the LED over the standard is the many faceted elements compared to just a single non concentrated/focused as that of the polished rounded LED that concentrates the light..that...and the low power consumption. And if you are making your own LED array..do not forget the dropping resistors to control current and thus the heat and the very factor that will give you long life with the LED..for 12 volt these values are in the 470, 560 and 680 range for brilliance per choice and control the heat accordingly..on the average one resistor will control three LEDs

The above a Wikipedia paraphrase. LOL.

[Bingster]

Are those the lights that give off a blue light?  If so, doesn't that kinda spoil the effect?

[Plymouthy Adams]

bulbs are rated in watts...and the available watts is voltage relative per the resistance of the winding..(why a 6 volt bulb will go to toast on a 12 volt circuit)...and then you have lumens or candlepower that is the actual light given off...when comparing just 6 to 12 you cannot say one is brighter than the other...you look at the very rating of what is being used...and the biggest drawback is the glass lens that is not as translucent as the modern plastic....when comparing led to incandescent...yeah..you entering a new realm altogether. The big big factor of the LED over the standard is the many faceted elements compared to just a single non concentrated/focused as that of the polished rounded LED that concentrates the light..that...and the low power consumption. And if you are making your own LED array..do not forget the dropping resistors to control current and thus the heat and the very factor that will give you long life with the LED..for 12 volt these values are in the 470, 560 and 680 range for brilliance per choice and control the heat accordingly..on the average one resistor will control three LEDs

The above a Wikipedia paraphrase. LOL.

show me that on wiki...

[jeffsunzeri]

Your 6 volt bulbs should not be weak unless you have a problem with your wiring or the age of the bulb itself. Clean your ground connections. You would have to do this anyway if you installed LED lamps.

Actually I think your wife would remain intact and the car would be perfectly safe running Halogen headlamps rather than fussing with LED lamps.

[Don Coatney]

I have installed the LED Technostalgia  tail and brake light assemblies and I am very happy with them.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/DonCoatney/Lights/th_Mvc-005v.mp4

 

http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v65/DonCoatney/Lights/Mvc-005v.mp4