LED vs Standard Bulbs

[GY3R/T]

 Has anyone tried LED bulbs in place of standard bulbs ?  Specifically interior applications. I.E. bulb #53 , #1816 , #1892 etc. Also, are there different lumin outputs for these LED bulbs. I see some of the bulbs on the internet are described as high output.  Thanks !!

[shawge]

Yes, and yes.  I tried to get the lumen and cp specs for the OE bulbs from the web and compared them to the specs for the LEDs.  The LEDs can be found in different output levels and color has an effect on this too.

Here's my table, may not translate well to text. 

Code Select Expand


70 Challenger Qty Stock lumens candle power LED equiv Dims w/ dimmer switch
AC/Heater Control 1 1815 1.4 0.11 BA9S
Ash Tray 1 1445 8.8 0.7 BA9S
Back Up 1 1156 402 52 1156 white
Cornering Lights 1445 8.8 0.7 BA9S
brake light 4 1157 402 / 37.7 32 / 3 1157 red
courtesy, door/pocket 1 1445 8.8 0.7 BA9S
Dome 1 550 or 1004 189 15 1142x15-12v warm white
door ajar 1 1892 0.75 0.06 BA9S
fender mount turn signal 2 330 6.29 0.5 SX6S
gear selector indicator, column 1 161 194
gear selector with console 1 57 2 0.16 BA9S
Glove Compartment 1 1891 2 0.16 BA9S warm white
high beam indicator 1 1893 2 0.16 BA9S red
instrument cluster 3 or 4 1893 2 0.16 BA9S blue or green. other bulbs: 1895, 1816
ignition lamp 1 1445 8.8 0.7 BA9S
license plate 1 67 4 0.32 67 BA15S base
Low fuel indicator 1 1892 0.75 0.06 BA9S
map/courtesy light 1 89 6 0.48 67 BA15S base
oil indicator 1 57 2 0.16 BA9S
Park/Turn Signal Lamp 2 1157 402 / 37.7 32 / 3 1157 amber
radio - am and tape 1 1816 3 0.24 BA9S
radio - am-fm stero 1 1815 1.4 0.11 BA9S
reverse 4 speed indicator 1 53 BA9S
sealed beam - high 2 5001
sealed beam - low 2 5006
seat belt indicator 1 1892 0.75 0.06 BA9S
stereo indicator 1 1445 8.8 0.7 BA9S
tail, stop and turn signal 4 1157 402 / 37.7 32 / 3 1157
Trunk/Under Hood lamp 1 1004 189 15 1142x15-12v
turn signal indicator (panel) 2 57 2 0.16 BA9S green



[ViperMan]

Interior bulbs can be brighter, but it depends on how many LED's are built into each bulb, and how they're positioned.

For example, compare these two bulbs:


The left one only has about 15-16 LED's that all face forwards.  This negates any reflective magnification of the housing the bulb is installed in.  The one on the right has about 58 bulbs that aim in each direction.

You can find just about any arrangement of LED's on the bulbs, and depending on where you're shopping (eBay, for example,) you might not always get what's pictured.  It's kinduva crap shoot.

I know you mentioned interior applications, but when it comes to exterior applications, one thing to keep in mind is that the turn-signal "flasher" won't work with LED's - the flasher is a load-driven toggle relay that functions on the draw of the circuit (much like a flashing Christmas light bulb) - since LED's draw so little current, it won't be enough to make the flasher flash.  You'd need to install additional loads in the circuit (easy to do but pricey and need to be installed somewhere with airflow as they can get hot) to make your flasher function.  Allegedly there are also newer flasher modules that work with LED's for older cars.  Just a heads up in case you decide to look into exterior lighting.