Topic: Map light upgrade and other LED bulb replacements

[lil goat]

At the mod meet this past weekend I saw Tomato Soups map light upgrade to LED's, there was so much more light it was amazing. He was kind enough to send me the link, he even told me to lasso the factory bulbs to remove them. Here is the link, he had the 8000k cool white they are VERY white and really looked good. I also ordered the UV bulbs to match my footwell lights just to see what it will be like.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/WLED-x5.htm

[Critterman]

DDM has some replacement bulds for the map lights as well.

[lil goat]

Of course they do, where do you think they bought your lights? Same place. I am not sure I want to try some of the cool stuff they did but I figure I can handle changing the map lights.

[TomatoSoup]

Your welcome

Here's the link to my map light removal tip for anyone else interested (they are a BEAR to get out otherwise): http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f62/tip-how-remove-map-light-bulbs-mirror-59211

[Ceeker]

Sounds like a lot of work to change a bulb.

I have changed my several times and all I use is a short piece of soft rubber hose,
just big enough to fit tight over the bulb. It pops right out, takes about 10 seconds.

I've used LED's that change colors for car shows, then put back my blue LED'S when I'm done. I keep a small bag of bulbs and a piece of rubber hose in my glove box for a quick change out!

[Chemist]

I've had these in my Sol for a while. I love them!

[LiquidPT]

Sounds like a lot of work to change a bulb.

I have changed my several times and all I use is a short piece of soft rubber hose,
just big enough to fit tight over the bulb. It pops right out, takes about 10 seconds.

I've used LED's that change colors for car shows, then put back my blue LED'S when I'm done. I keep a small bag of bulbs and a piece of rubber hose in my glove box for a quick change out!

I tried the rubber hose trick. Didn't work... looping the string behind it sounds like a good plan.

[lil goat]

My new map lights came in and man was that $10 well spent I can see inside my car now, the LEDS are BRIGHT, I got a set of UV bulbs too just for fun they are really cool but you can't see squat, the LEDS are easy to change once you get the stock bulbs out, I just shoved a piece of heat shrink on the stock ones, it shrunk and I pulled them out with a set of needle nose.

[Kelu]

I did this upgrade some weeks ago. I payed a little bit higher on LEDs but it worth it. 

Even I had some people mentioning that I have cool interior lights, I used with them in a week after install. It is nice to be remembered for a good 12$ investment.

[DickW]

I used Lil Goats idea of shrink tube. Worked great. The hardest part was getting the lens cover off.

[Sly Bob]

I would love to get a set of these but they won't ship a $10 order to Canada. 

[DickW]

 SLY Bob I bought 2 extra. If you would like I will send them US postal service $10 plus shippin. I will chek the PO tmorrow to see what it it.

[lil goat]

I would never have guessed how much difference these would make until I saw Soup's at MMM6, by the way if anyone else has shipping issue's call Dr Love, (Dave at DDM) they have them too.

[Sly Bob]

I would like to thank everyone that offered to ship me a set both here and via PM. The response has been overwhelming and has made me realize even more what a great community this is. Hopefully I will have a set in a week or so.

You guys and gals are the best!!!     

[DickW]

I finally got try mine out tonight. You can actually see in the cabin now.

[LiquidPT]

Like this?

[TomatoSoup]

UPDATE:  Due to not liking the mismatch between my "Cool White" map light LEDs and my more natural light Ikea footwell LED lights, I decided more experimentation was required... so while ordering the WLED-CW5 replacements (the 'Natural White' WLED-NW5's), I also got some alternatives to play with. Cutting a long story short, I found that the 921-x12 Wedge Base LED bulbs were much brighter even than the WLED-x5's -- subjectively about twice as bright (sorry Goat, if I'm about to cost you more dinarii ). 


I played with swapping both sides, and decided that the 921-x12 were actually TOO bright for the driver side, this mostly due to reflection caused by the angle of the mirror throwing the driver-side light directly onto the console, whereas the passenger light is shines mostly out into the knee/seat area.  So, in the end, I found a perfect balance using a WLED-NW5 (or CW) on the driver side, with an 921-NW12 (or CW) on the passenger side.   Here's a photo of my hands in the cones of light - giving something of an idea of the brightness difference and balance (not as obvious a difference as you see in reality though).

The 921-x12 bulbs are $6 each in white ($4 in Amber, see below) or $2 more each than the WLED-x5 bulbs.

So, along the same vein, I also tried the 921-A12 (Amber) for the side marker lights.  They work well, giving almost exactly the same amount of light out as the standard incandescents.  I'd say these are particularly advantageous if you've done the 'turn-signal mod' since they will stress the flasher circuit less and have a much faster on-off time.  Here's a stitched photo showing a comparison (taken at the same aperture/shutter speed).  The original bulb is less bright in the center, but more diffuse... overall about the same light throw:


Next, I'm going to try the WLED-CW5 bulbs I removed from the map lights in place of the rear license plate bulbs.  Stay tuned...

[kennysabarese]

I forgot about this thread! As you guys know I ditched my rearview with lights. What can I do to hook these up to the cable and mount them in the plastic surround? Is it possible to do a dimmer? Or a multiway switch?

[Sly Bob]

I'd say these are particularly advantageous if you've done the 'turn-signal mod' since they will stress the flasher circuit less and have a much faster on-off time.

Great post Tomato Soup! So LEDs DO work with the "turn signal mod"... 

[1LILNDN]

well I ordered the bulbs for the map lites,do the same bulbs work in the marker lites?

[Sly Bob]

well I ordered the bulbs for the map lites,do the same bulbs work in the marker lites?

They are the same bulbs

[TomatoSoup]

well I ordered the bulbs for the map lites,do the same bulbs work in the marker lites?

Yes, but get Amber ones for the markers (not white).  a) the white's are more expensive, and b) a lot of their light is blocked by the amber filter of the side marker lens

[Brad Kenny]

Knowing this is an old post listing, well worth resurrecting to the top.  I am doing this today... I will try to get some pics tonight when I am all done.  Thanks again TS!!!

[Brad Kenny]

Completed this over the weekend and all I have to say is WOW!!!

1st - The change-out of fender lights to Amber LED (X12) unloads the relay and now blinks in unison with the turn signal vice opposite.  The LED are at least 2-3 times brighter than the 921 bulbs that were previously installed.

2nd - The changeout of the map lights to the Natural White (X12) unloads the fading relay and now it fades much faster.  I also added red LED footwell lighting per list of MODs and now am completely LED. Next install is the WR and door sills on this circuit!!!

The cost vs. advantage is up to personal choice. I need more light in my car when I get in at night. I like more light that is controllable and tactful (not gawdy)

3rd - after the Meet I am going to changeout the license plate light to a Natural White (X5) light to see if it will work also.  Pretty much decided to pick up where TS left off. (Anyone have a spare 921-NW5 LED they wanna get rid of?)

I am also looking for information concerning taillights and front turn signals. I expect these will be a little more difficult, but also more rewarding to change out.

Overall, for the 35 dollars I spent on all three changes including parts and labor (by me) I think ist is a very good set of MODs.

[TomatoSoup]

I am also looking for information concerning taillights and front turn signals. I expect these will be a little more difficult, but also more rewarding to change out.

Per a recent thread on another forum, if you change the turn signals you will have to add load resistors to simulate the load that the incandescent would provide.  The BCM provides the power/switching for the turn signals and if it sees reduced load, it will trigger the burned-out bulb detection and do the 'rapid flash'.

This may or may not apply for the constant on filament-side circuits (DRL/Parking lights).  You'd have to try it and see if you get a burned-out bulb idiot light or warning in the DIC

So... Go forth and tread the road unknown!!

P.S.  Interesting note of the side flasher sync with the fronts.  I hadn't noticed on mine, now I'll have to go take a look!