Has anyone used led bulbs to replace the incandescent bulbs in their car, like the dash, dome, trunk, etc? Pros or cons?

 

Yes. Stuck them in every light bulb socket I could. Love them. Brightens everything. Not 'stock' of course but they are easily changed if necessary and no damage done.

 

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...icle/----/---/

 

the problem I have run into is the fit in the sockets. the ambers for the front turn signals, I found 1 in about 10 that actually fit the socket. the distance from the shoulder to the little bumps is about .030 too shallow on the LED bulbs. Some of the small bulbs for the side markers are very loose in the sockets.

 

That seems to be a problem when things are reverse engineered.

 

I have them everywhere I could put them and I really like them. If you use them in the turn signal indicators,you will need to use an electronic flasher in place of the OEM unit. The LEDS do not use enough amps to trigger the OEM flasher. One thing to remember,the LEDS have a positive/negative side,so if they don't work,turn them around.

 

I've also used them and love them. When buying LED bulb replacements, be sure to get the kind that have LED elements on the sides as well as the top. The original bulbs radiate light in nearly all directions. This is why there is a parabolic reflector in the housing. The cheaper LED bulb replacements that only have LEDs on the front surface don't radiate any light towards the reflector, and appear to be dimmer than incandescents as a result. The LED bulb replacements with elements on the sides fix this problem.

 

I was thinking more of using them inside like for the dash, dome, etc. The thing that worries me about the turn and brake, etc is the LED's I've seen all have the bulbs facing out and won't reflect in the housing if you understand what I'm trying to say.

 

I have the 194 versions in all my gauges in my cars. They really make a big difference & once installed, won't burn out anytime soon. I have the ones for the dome lamps also.

 

That was the whole point of my post above. That's why I use replacements like these, which fix that problem:

 

Joe, have you found a source for those LED's that actually fit? I have tried several places and out of 10 bulbs only found 1 that fits the front directional socket. I have even gone so far as to CAREFULLY swage the socket tighter to the housing and lightly sanded the end of the copper sockets to make sure they are smooth and flat. (trying to minimize the distance between the shoulder and the locking grooves) If you know of a good source, I humbly beg for knowledge!

 

I'm posting from my phone so I think our posts crossed cause I'm a slow pecker :-), the lights I've seen had just the end lit, what you posted was what looks like will work. I feel better now that I know that, thanks Joe! Now just waiting for my wagon to get here to start putting on the parts.....

 

Do they dim?

 

Here's mine with blue LED's in the dash. Quality of pic isn't great but you get the idea. Looks much better in real conditions.

 

Nice, this is for my 66 F 85 wagon I just bought.

 

I get mine from a vendor at the Carlisle swap meets. Unfortunately I don't have his card handy, but I'll look for it. The ones I got worked fine in my 62 wagon.

 

If you search eBay for Samsung LED 194 bulbs,they are very nice. They have a cover over the actual LED and are onlt about #10 for 10 of them. Remember you have to use an electronic flasher instead of the OEM unit so the turn signal indicators will work correctly.

 

the place MAK Post #3 recommended www.superbrightleds.com. I bought all of the LEDS to replace the brake/turn signal bulbs for my motor home and enclosed race car trailer. I had one sent to me that did not work and they warranted it. I had to ship the bad one to them and they paid shipping back to me! So good customer service.

 

The 1157 A Bulbs from superbrite 1 out of 4 fit in the ones I purchased. I got warranty return replacements but they did not fit either. tried a few more vendors with no luck so far. (72 cutlass convertible)