Led Front Turning Signs Avensis 2005

[Bosnjo]

Hi to all,

Since I've got my Avensis (new, January 2005) I had the idea to take out that amber spot from headlights, comming from amber bulb from turning signs. So, the simpliest way was to buy chrome amber bulb 21W on eBay. I've done that but regretted imediately. The light wasn't even the half strong as it was with simple amber 21W bulb. Of course, the bulb was amber (yellow) and then painted with silver paint (in factory). That cuts the power of the light comming out of the bulb. So, I had to get back to my old bulbs. All of you, who have already taken off that plastic cover on the back of the headlight know how I felt to take it off and put it back on. As I had to put back on the old bulbs, I've passed through that nightmare twice. Now, 10 months later I'm thinking to do it again, but this time with LED bulbs (white leds, amber shine). I've ordered from eBay a pair of "35 leds LED BULBS" for headlight turning signs and pair of "5 leds LED BULBS 501" for turning signs on wings.

Now, the bulbs haven't arrived yet but I understood about comming nightmares:

- Nightmare #1: Take off and put back on those plastic covers on the back of the headlights

- Nightmare #2: When 21W bulb (headlight) is out of the circuit the turning sign starts flashing very fast, so it warns you that one bulb is off.

There is nothing to do about nightmare #1. Will be many cuts and skin loss on my hands to do the job. But, to solve nightmare #2, I've ordered 50W LOAD RESISTORS. They will play the roll for the missing bulb, because LED bulb has in total 2.8W. For the circuit, 2.8W will be understood as bulb missing.

Resistors will be connected as the bridge between "-" and "+" wire for each side.

MY ONLY DOUBT: I'd like to put the resistors in the trunk, close to back lights and connect them to the turning sign on the back. This is because I don't want to leave them in the engine compartement. I prefer them in closed space, protected. What happens then is that it will be like having two bulbs on the back and none at the front. Will it be OK for the circuit? I mean, are back and front turning signs interconnected or each act independently? Somebody?

I've read that this could be done at much easier way by "...on electronic bulb flashers, fast flashing can be disabled by opening the little box and cutting a wire/track on its board". I found this on one forum but that's all. I believe it's possible but how to know which wire.

I'm still waiting for the bulbs and resistors to arrive and would appreciate all sugestions. If everything goes well, will post my experience for those who want to go the same way.

Thanks to all

[aven_man]

Thinking of doing the same myself, going a bit LED mad , I've just installed the 6 LED sidelight (or parking lights) to compliment the HID's.

I would connect the load resistor in seris with the amber LED, make it waterproof (using heatshrink) and mount in engine. I don't know if each circuit is independant or are they wired in seris looking for 42W. It's impossible to get wiring diagrams for these but maybe good dealer would be able to tell you.

Please let us know how you get on.

[Bosnjo]

Please let us know how you get on. 

←

On 17th of January I have to put the car for 12 months service. That's gonna be the first one. After that, I'll start doing things and let you know of the progress.

By the way, resistor has to go in parallel, not series, because it's acting as a bulb. It has very low impendance, like 50-100 Ohms, but high power (50W).

Cheers

[sjrainsford]

Three things I must point out.

The load resistor should be mounted on the circuit where the bulb is to be replaced, or near it. They are as stated wired in series. They should not be wired in the boot because you will be overloading the wiring to the rear indicators. This wouldn't hurt too much, but it's not strictly the correct thing to do.

Resistors do not have an 'Impedance' as this is experienced on A.C. circuits, I think resistance is what you mean, and this will be similar to that of what the original 21W bulb would have measured when fully lit.

As they generally get hot, then wrapping in shrink wrap is normally not acceptable. However there are automotive types available, but not easy to get. So you need to be careful where you fit them.

Oh and those silver bulbs are rubbish as you say. There are proper types that do this job however and can be bought from www.powerbulbs.com. They are Diadem bulbs manufactured by Osram.

If you want LED bulbs, try www.ultraleds.co.uk. I've used them many times and can recommend them.

[Bosnjo]

IT DIDN'T GO WELL :ffs:

I've just got my led bulbs and did a quick test inserting just one in the headlight (the one where is easier to take the cover off). Then I turned all 4 turning signs on and just didn't like it. The one with led bulb in was much weaker then the other with classic amber bulb. I thought it was maybe the angle I was watching from, so I step like 3-4 meters away and put my head in the the same hight as headlights, but conclusion was the same. It's much weaker. I did it in interior parking lot of my building. When ilumination of parking was on, it was hardly visible. With ilumination off it was visible but weak. With beams on it was hardly recognisible.

So, old bulb is back.

Some time ago I've seen one site selling the bulbs, classic shape, with slightly blue glass but it is flashing amber. Today I've spent hours looking for that site but just couldn't find it. Grrrr!!! I'd be so hapy to take off that yellow shadow from my headlights but I don't want to get weaker light of turning signs.

I've also seen today many forums about those led bulbs and lot of people say that they are definetely weaker.

So, after bad experience with "SILVER BULB" and "LED BULB" is there anything else I could try? Maybe somebody know the link of that site that sells those white (not silver) bulbs that flashes amber?

Thanks to all

[mpeter]

Some time ago I've seen one site selling the bulbs, classic shape, with slightly blue glass but it is flashing amber. Today I've spent hours looking for that site but just couldn't find it. Grrrr!!! I'd be so hapy to take off that yellow shadow from my headlights but I don't want to get weaker light of turning signs.

Hi,

Maybe you saw the Osram's new Diadem light. http://www.osram.com/products/automotive/upgrade/diadem.html

Cheers,

Peter

[Bosnjo]

Yeap, that's the one, OSRAM DIADEM. I've just ordered a pair from eBay along with a pair of PHILIPS SILVER VISION. Philips says it's 100% of light streinght. No loss compared with classic amber bulb. I'll wait for both and see. Then I'll let you all know of the result.

Thanks for help.

[Bosnjo]

SOLVED FINALY

With Philips Silver Vision, PY21W. Light is the same strenght, everything is the same, but there is no "friden egg" effect anymore. These bulbs are very good quality. They are not just painted with silver chrome, so their light is cut at the half. No, it's the kind of glass they use to build them, as I could see observing them.

I would like now to find the same production line bulbs (Silver Vision) to put in my small turning signs on the wings, but I couldn't find any on the market yet. Right now on my wings turning signs I have white/amber LED bulbs that are weaker, but that doesn't concern me that much. For those I can wait.

PS: Didn't get Osram Diadem yet, but will test them too, when they arrive

Thanks to all