Ok guys I ordered some LEDs a while back and I just got them... I Installed them in my taillights but when I pushed the brake my brake fuse blew. I was wondering if it is safe to up the fuse to 20 or what ever works to help keep the leds working when I brake. The lights stay on but they dont changes brightness and the 3rd brake doesnt come on when I brake after the fuse blows.

 

Whoa......stop. DO NOT INCREASE fuse rating. Those LED's will draw less current than your standard bulbs. You have an electrical issue that needs to be fixed.

 

Definitely agree there! Double check your connections, something isnt right there. Still waiting for my LEDs for my gauges

 

What exactly are you doing and what did you buy to do it with

 

The employees in Hong Kong aren't making them fast enough

 

Must be the case! The guy kept trying to sell me another part number saying that they were a direct replacement... turns out they had a different Vf, If, and mcd rating! I explained this to him... which I think just confused him, so he replied simply saying he would let me know when they got in

 

throw them out. theyre no good. i had CATZ in mine and they blew the fuses and then all teh trouble lights came on. go here www.autolumination.com these will work. well they worked for my xB anyway. 6 months and no problems and they have a wide angle LED too

 

If they are wired correctly (and if you mean that you modded it to use stand alone LEDs with limiting resistors) they will draw less than the lights did. Its not the LEDs. There is not much to go wrong with them IF they are properly wired. Keep in mind though that if you used stand alone LEDs you have to calculate limiting resistors for each one. Now, if you purchased LED modules that are supposed to plug in place of the standard bulbs... then that may be a different story. Did you purchase the direct replacements, or did you create a setup using discrete LEDs and resistors?

 

The problem is polarity. LED lights are polarized and some have diodes to protect the lights if they are put in backwards. The cheaper ones can pop the diodes if put in backwards or blow the fuse. Put 1 in and have someone tap the brake light quickly. If it doesn't light, or the wrong section lights, reverse the way you inserted the bulb. When you have one side right, then do the same for the other. The bulbs from autoluination.com, are the highest quality ones I have come across and I would recommend using them, as some of the others have caused trouble. And the light bulbs he is referring to are commercially made replacements for automotive bulbs that are made with LEDs.

 

Just a little info.

LED= Light emitting diodes.

Diodes are semiconductor devices which might be described as passing current in one direction only. They are used to eliminate backflow or surge of current to a delicate circuit.

LEDs must be connected the correct way The cathode= - (negative) is the short lead and there may be a slight flat section on the body of round LEDs and the Anode= +(positive)

The resistor value, R is given by:
R = (VS - VL) / I

VS = supply voltage
VL = LED voltage (usually 2V, but 4V for blue and white LEDs)
I = LED current (e.g. 20mA), this must be less than the maximum permitted


For example
If the supply voltage VS = 9V, and you have a red LED (VL = 2V), requiring a current I = 20mA = 0.020A,
R = (9V - 2V) / 0.02A = 350, so choose 390 (the nearest standard value which is greater).

 

If you don't use a current limiting resistor, LEDs become NEDs (NOISE Emitting Diodes) ;)

 

I'll take your word on the Noise part.

Here is a good online calc to find the correct resistor
http://www.quickar.com/noqbestledcalc.htm

 

Ok I've tried different places and none of the lights work in the 7443... they keep blowing fuses any way i put them in... I need some help... The ones for my7440 blinkers work but it makes the lights blink really fast... what can I do about that?

 

The lights will come on but when I push the brake the brake fuse blows

 

Good one. I also like SEDs (smoke emitting diodes.)

 

UTA - you ever figure out your LED problem?
I just came across the same thing tonight, in an XB. LEDs from AutoLumination??

 

Nope Mark... I gave up... and i'm back to stock... sucks but at least they work... They told me to move wires on the LEDs and find the ground and other crap... I was confused and I ended up breaking the damn LEDs... I hope someone will be able to figure this out..

 

Big J,

I had the same prob. b4 but Scott was able to help me out. SCOTTTT!!!!!

 

Man the same exact thing happens to me too. I put in the LED's press the brake and like 2 or 3 fuses blow. the fuse for the park shifter, and the brake light blows, and then i tried it again and it blew the fuse for the windshield wipers ?? lol. very random. so ya let me know if you find anything out on how to do this! it shouldnt be that hard i mean they are just light bulbs ya know? maybe i'll order new leds from the place that other guy posted up there ... alrighty well keep me posted ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~jonathan

 

I bought from them... and really no change... Although you might try emailing or contacting that company and see what they say... It also just might be our cars and the way they are wired.... its a real pain in the ___ and a waste of money for them not to work.