RD LEDs Installed - Page 2

Daripper · #1 08-02-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

Ok, so I need two more for the trunk. The lights are on the backside of the tailgate and are the same as all the rest. So that makes 5 sets total.

I just figured the license plate lights were LEDs but they aren't. Weird since my 2008 M3 has them. So, looks like I will be changing those out as well, thanks BMW - how can they still be the nasty yellow??? They are a different formfactor but the PYSPEED site has those as well.

Thanks for the info Epacy! I will add this on my to do list.

- DaRip

Epacy · #2 08-04-2010, 10:42 PM

Trunk lid lights installed. They really provide some useful light back there now. Much better than stock and very worth it.

Daripper · #3 08-05-2010, 11:25 AM

Awesome!

- DaRip

Penguin · #4 08-05-2010, 04:37 PM

The link to the site selling them does not provide any specs. Any chance the info with your lights might have the current draw or wattage?

While camping it is convenient sometimes to leave the back hatch open for a while when setting-up the campsite, and I've thought about replacing the hatch lights with LEDs to reduce the current draw, e.g., rather than the same current and more light, I'm looking for the same light and less current.

Epacy · #5 08-05-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

The link to the site selling them does not provide any specs. Any chance the info with your lights might have the current draw or wattage?

While camping it is convenient sometimes to leave the back hatch open for a while when setting-up the campsite, and I've thought about replacing the hatch lights with LEDs to reduce the current draw, e.g., rather than the same current and more light, I'm looking for the same light and less current.

I do not have those specifics. But the most important stat is that the LEDs give no errors.
If you are looking for a less current bulb, not sure why that stipulation, that will cause an error and it will pop up on your dash.

Penguin · #6 08-05-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

that will cause an error and it will pop up on your dash.

Not on those lights. I can disconnect the bulb completely and not get an error.

I don't think BMW bothers to monitor those lights.

Penguin · #7 08-12-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

The link to the site selling them does not provide any specs. Any chance the info with your lights might have the current draw or wattage?

While camping it is convenient sometimes to leave the back hatch open for a while when setting-up the campsite, and I've thought about replacing the hatch lights with LEDs to reduce the current draw, e.g., rather than the same current and more light, I'm looking for the same light and less current.

OK, so I bought a couple figuring the extra light would be nice, even if the current wasn't lower. So I measure the current draw with the following results:

LED lights: 0.10 Amp each

Standard lights: 0.33 Amp each

So switching the rear hatch lights to these LEDs will cut the current draw when the hatch is open by more than 2/3. Or thereabouts, as I don't know the current draw of the illuminated "close" button.

The lights are brighter than stock and fit. While many after-market things say they are an exact fit, many are not. These truly are an exact fit.

While the lights are nice, I decided against ordering more to use in the foot wells, as while the bluish light is quite pleasing, I don't think it would fit that well with the upper lights still "yellow." And I don't really want to take the trouble to switch-out all the interior lights. And the yellow light's "warmth" sorta goes with the sand beige interior.

But if you are someone who leave the rear hatch open for extended periods of time, the lower current draw, combined with the increased and more even light, makes changing the rear hatch lights attractive.