Decent LED festoon bulbs for automotive use? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 07:56:23 am
content: I'm looking for some reasonable LED festoon style lamps to fit in my car to replace the map or cabin lights.I can't be bothered rolling my own.There's plenty of reviews of car LED headlights but I can't find anything for other bulbs.Ebay has heaps of LED festoons from only a couple of dollars each. Has anyone bought some and been satisfied with the light output?Any links or recommendations?Cheers.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:06:53 pm
content: What sort of fittings are you after?

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:48:30 pm
content: Here in the US, I bought some from superbrightleds.com quite a few years ago, around 2012 I think. Price wasn't bad, but I was a little disappointed with the brightness. I imagine they've probably gotten better since then. Quality was pretty good, at least they're all still working.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:13:53 am
content: I've tried a few eBay festoon LED lamps for the car interior. Problem is almost all of them are not very good.They are either dim, don't fit or run hot or any mix of these issues. My limit was the small 31mm lamp does not allow much to compete with the stock 5W bulb, i.e. 6 LED's is not enough, and a Cree XML and boost converter still needs to get rid of a lot heat in an enclosed fixture.What worked best for me is SMD 5050 LED arrays with the festoon adapter. Even then, some run quite hot and I had to put in bigger resistors. I stuffed in the biggest board that will fit. I also silicone'd one in place and just soldered wires directly.Biggest I used is 48-LED white SMD5050, each LED is 3 chips around 9V. Originally 16 of 120R 0805's to give 30-45mA per LED at 12/14V for over 86C too hot for my liking so I went to 200R to get 20-28mA which runs cool. The pc boards are dual 6x4 arrays so you can snap it in two for smaller fixture.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 03:40:52 am
content: Quote from: Zero999 on May 17, 2020, 12:06:53 pm31mm festoon style for interior roof lights.The ones that look like this: <===> with pointy ends.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 03:43:57 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on May 18, 2020, 12:13:53 amThat was my worry that I'd just be throwing my money away to find out they were too dim.I saw those arrays and like the look of them. Unfortunately they wont fit in my vehicle (Toyota). The light fitting has the bulb in a small recess and there is no space between the diffuser and the fitting to install the array. A great idea anyway.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 03:49:34 am
content: Quote from: rdl on May 17, 2020, 12:48:30 pmI checked them out the prices are almost comparable with eBay. They ask US$2.95 for a dome light festoon.The UPS shipping to Australia will kill the deal unfortunately.

author: deadlylover
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 07:46:52 am
content: Are you still running the stock incandescent? Damn near anything should be an upgrade in light output then.If you can, try look for ones that use a CREE emitter, the XB-D is advertised on more higher end lights but you'll probably only find normal CREE 3030 LEDs. Best to stick with the style that's just one PCB, don't get ones that have LEDs in all directions because usually it's just press fit together, and over time they will get a little loose and stop working.They all suck so chances are you'll have to reflow your own emitters.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 12:42:26 pm
content: Quote from: deadlylover on May 19, 2020, 07:46:52 amYeah the original incandescents are pathetic - dim yellow, barely a candle.I got a piece of coreflute and cut it to size to see what would fit in the housing without hacking it up. I then ebayed and found some LED arrays that will fit.They are similar to this:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-48-LED-3528-SMD-12V-Car-Interior-Lights-Panel-Bulb-Lamp-T10-BA9S-Dome-Festoon/283062466310?hash=item41e7d67706:g:ydAAAOSw7WxemWUzIf they don't work out I'll try these ones:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/48-SMD-COB-LED-Panel-12V-White-Car-Interior-Bulb-Lamp-T10-Festoon-BA9S-Adapter/114090016711?hash=item1a904b7fc7:g:sQoAAOSwH05ZrJw

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 02:39:19 pm
content: I have found it helpful to look for LED festoon lamps that can operate over 10–30V. Three times, now, I have received lamps with boost regulators that push ca. 50 mA through the LEDs.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2020, 06:09:58 am
content: Just as follow up in case someone else wanted to buy some. I bought these:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-5050-SMD-24-LED-Car-Light-Panel-Auto-Interior-Bulb-Lamp-T10-BA9S-Dome-Adapter/113328768782?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649Cheap price, quality is good.The light output is quite high - almost a bit too bright. Definitely many times brighter than the old incandescent bulbs they replaced.They pull 140mA @ 12V = 1.7W. The festoon lamps they replaced were 8W 12V = 660mA. So a good power saving as well.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2020, 06:46:29 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on May 17, 2020, 07:56:23 amPut your "mask & snorkel" on, & venture out to "Supercheap Auto parts"----they had "stacks of 'em", last time I was there!They aren't that expensive, & you can physically compare your existing bulbs, plus you can have them, in your hands, now.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2020, 08:51:44 am
content: Please check if you need a Permission, Certification,... to modifie your Car.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2020, 08:11:38 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on May 18, 2020, 03:40:52 amOh, I see. when I Googled for LED festoon lights I got these!Quote from: Lord of nothing on May 30, 2020, 08:51:44 amIf he was modifying the exterior lights i.e. headlamps, tail lights, indicators etc. then you have a point: there's a risk it can violate certain regulations, but he's talking about changing the light bulbs in the car's interior, which won't affect the vehicles road worthiness or compliance with any laws, especially if they're not supposed to be used, when the vehicle is in motion.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2020, 08:18:01 am
content: Well if the Car light up some say the Insurance will check if the are modified anything.He maybe can lose the Insurance for that Car later. If it do a Certified/ Licences Car Repair Shop he can sue them. If he do that at his own he is the fool.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2020, 11:54:04 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on May 30, 2020, 06:46:29 amNah bugger Supercheap, I'm a tight wad! I did have a look but they are 3 times the eBay price. I have 4 internal lights to LEDify - Supercheap prices would be $40 to $80 all up.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2020, 11:55:09 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on May 31, 2020, 08:18:01 amHaha not that kind of festoon light.Although I have seen idiots driving around with similar lighting on their cars!