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LED turns signal and DRL help


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Not sure if I've just had crappy luck with led bulbs but I can't get any that last. They all burn out single LEDs or whole rows and I've tried a handful of different types. Anyone have real good luck with any brand they recommend in white LEDs?

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I vaguely recall reading something awhile ago about there being a voltage issue with the DRL circuit. That is why the majority of trucks (Silverado, Sierra, escalade, Tahoe, Yukon, Avalanche, ect) have at least the driver side DRL burnt out or both sides not functioning. I know I replace the DRL bulks a lot more frequently than any other bulb in this truck. Heck, most of my bulbs are original. Maybe that is why your led ones are frying?

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I've had really mixed luck with LED bulb replacements. I have some 50W and 80W projector-style from Autolumination being used as taillights, brake lights, and rear signals in my 300 and Magnum. Been working great for quite a while.

 

I decided to try their switchbacks in the same design for the front signals, and all hell broke loose. In the Magnum, I went through 4 - each one failed in a different way, including one literally burning a hole through its base but the amber signal function continued to work. In the 300 one of them crapped out but it took a lot longer (that car gets driven a lot less as my play toy; the Magnum is my girl's daily.)

 

One issue as 90zx mentioned might be the voltage. I could be speaking way off base here but I think it's modulated to lower it a bit, which may be wreaking havoc on the LED's. A lot of LED's are noted on the various sellers' sites that they can't be used as DRL's.

 

Another issue is that many of the higher-powered LED's really aren't suited for constant use. They're fine for brake lights and signals, but leave them on steady for a long time and they get too hot, causing failures. While an LED doesn't get anywhere as hot as an incandescent bulb, pack a lot of high-watt LED's into a small package and they still get plenty hot.

 

For the SS, since DRL's aren't required in the US I'm about ready to double-up the turn signal sockets and tweak them so they fit the housing, and just have 4 signal bulbs across the front like the previous generation trucks.

 

Richard

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I have no issues with led switchbacks in my ss! Had them in there since February. As for drl I have hids now but never had issues with LEDs in them

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

What brand switch backs do you use? And how do you go about putting HIDs in your DRL area?

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What brand switch backs do you use? And how do you go about putting HIDs in your DRL area?

Some cheap eBay switchbacks from dt-autotech. And they make a 15w reverse hid that worked perfectly in drls. Just need the universal kit with 3157 plug. I then cut that plug off and hard wired it so no corrosion would take place

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Edited by darienms1986 (see edit history)
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