LED Lighting. Can I convert the Galaxy?

[Grant2012]

Has anyone else converted their car to LED lighting? I'm talking everything, interior lights, side lights, tail lights, indicators and brake lights!! I'd do the head and fog lights too if anyone can recommend something suitable

[Mirez]

Yes, I've a fully converted car - takes a little work

Interior lights are easy, and comprise 5w5 and 39mm festoon lights. Ensure the LED type is SMD 5050 or 5060, if they look like lots of "normal" LED's soldered together - avoid! They'll be far too dark. If the replacement has enough 5050's on it then it should be equal to a standard lamp. To replace the 5w5 you'll want a replacement with 5 chips on it (4 side mount, one top) and to replace the festoon it needs 3 chips. Avoid CREE as they will be stupidly bright!

Fronts - Well the side lights are again, 5w5 - again use 5050 and avoid CREE. Leave the head, main and fog alone! There are only a handful of suitable replacements at the moment and they'll cost upwards of Ã,£200 per lamp - NOTHING on ebay will be even vaguely as bright as a regular 55W lamp so don't be tempted!! Indicators I'll cover with the rears.

Rears - The tail lights are R5W in a BAY15S package. You want white 5050 chips again for here and ensure the replacement has 20 chips (4 firing to each side and 4 forward) - this will match the brightness almost perfectly.
The second tail lamp is built into the same unit as the brake light. Now here you'll need to ensure you DO get CREE chips - 5050's don't have anywhere near the brightness of a 21W standard lamp. There are some dual contact (DC) chips on the market with 5 CREE chips running at a claimed 30W -  These will be perfect but see the note in a minute. Number plate lights are also 39mm festoon - here you definitely don't want CREE and probably don't want 3 chip 5050 either - if you can get a single 5050 that should be fine.

Indicators, front and rear will need 5 Chip CREE replacements - again 30W with offset pins - ensure they are yellow/amber as-well!

Note! The Galaxy has lamp fail and also load balanced indicators. You'll need to install 6 load resistors to the circuits if you are replacing the indicators and stop lamps. You need 50W 6Ohm resistors and they will get just as hot as a conventional lamp - mount them out the way, on a metal surface with plenty of space around.

Final note is that there are a LOT of LED replacements on Ebay (and similar) that fit as a replacement but only a handful which are actually any use in real life. Personally, always but safety ahead of style! A snappy indicator that looks good but can't be seen in the sun is dangerous - yes they are expensive but I promise you that if you buy the cheaper versions you'll not only be disappointed but have to re-buy the expensive ones later.

[Grant2012]

Thanks for a very comprehensive post! Do you have any pics or vid's of your car?

[SilverBeast]

If you click on the link in Mirez's signature where it says "click here to come and look instead" he has pictures there

[Grant2012]

thanks for that

mirez, any chance of a vid?

[Mirez]

Yup, will take one when I get a second

[SilverBeast]

Only of the car please!

[SilverBeast]

On a more serious note. I've changed my front sidelight bulbs to those you suggested and they are noticeably whiter than the original bulbs (and the head/sidelights). Can you recommend replacement "standard" headlight, full beam and fog light bulbs?

[Mirez]

Leds are normally a lot whiter then halogen, sort of the point

Unfortunately no recomendations, mine are well matched to the xenon light and I'm not bothered about the main. Fogs I do want to look at, after fitting the cornering unit they are obviously on a lot more and look a lot yellower.

[Fraz-ktf]

Hi.

no idea about this LED stuff but I do fancy converting the sidelight bulbs.  Do I need the canbus type, with built in resistors (Apparently) or just normal 5W5?

I can't find any reference to 5050, only 501.  WATT am I looking for please (See what I did there?  )

I'd also like to LED the front Fogs, so please tell if you know of anything suitable.

Thanks

ps Will the Gal take 100W Halogen headlight bulbs ok, without melting the switches like my old XR3i did?

[Mirez]

lol, 5050 is the LED chip type, 5W5 is the lamps physical design. As an example;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-T10-501-W5W-5-SMD-5050-BRIGHT-WHITE-INTERIOR-SIDE-CAR-WEDGE-LED-LIGHT-LAMP-/251351366829

No need for canbus type, the Galaxy is direct drive.

LED front fogs will be utterly pointless, as said nothing on the market is vagualy suitable as a replacement - the light output isnt even close to a 55w lamp on anything sub Ã,£100, realistically the best out there probably outputs an equivelent 15W (dont fall for their claims!!) - I doubt you would even tell they are on from the cabin - avoid!

Also avoid 100W lamps, the wiring isnt rated for it, but more importantly the headlight front is plastic and wont handle the extra heat!!! If you are quick, eurocarparts are doing Bosch Super 90 H7's for just a tenner (yesterday and today only I believe) and these do make a substantial difference over the factory cheepo-s

[Fraz-ktf]

lol, 5050 is the LED chip type, 5W5 is the lamps physical size. As an example;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-T10-501-W5W-5-SMD-5050-BRIGHT-WHITE-INTERIOR-SIDE-CAR-WEDGE-LED-LIGHT-LAMP-/251351366829

No need for canbus type, the Galaxy is direct drive.

LED front fogs will be utterly pointless, as said nothing on the market is vagualy suitable as a replacement - the light output isnt even close to a 55w lamp on anything sub Ã,£100, realistically the best out there probably outputs an equivelent 15W (dont fall for their claims!!) - I doubt you would even tell they are on from the cabin - avoid!

Also avoid 100W lamps, the wiring isnt rated for it, but more importantly the headlight front is plastic and wont handle the extra heat!!! If you are quick, eurocarparts are doing Bosch Super 90 H7's for just a tenner (yesterday and today only I believe) and these do make a substantial difference over the factory cheepo-s

thanks Mr M

Yeah, my experience with the old XR3 was that the actual light switch / stalk melted when I used 130W bulbs for an extended drive.  Shame because it was like daylight!

I've ordered the ebay bulbs that you suggested and also the Eurocarparts ones, though they are Ã,£14.99 for a pair.

have you got any super-bright bulb recommends for the high beams?

[Chrispb]

Hi.

no idea about this LED stuff but I do fancy converting the sidelight bulbs.  Do I need the canbus type, with built in resistors (Apparently) or just normal 5W5?

I can't find any reference to 5050, only 501.  WATT am I looking for please (See what I did there?  )

I'd also like to LED the front Fogs, so please tell if you know of anything suitable.

Thanks

ps Will the Gal take 100W Halogen headlight bulbs ok, without melting the switches like my old XR3i did?

501 capless is the ID of that design of bulb whether it be the standard filament or LED.

[Fraz-ktf]

Having ordered my bulbs, I went and had a rummage in my Aladdin's Garage and found a new set of H7 "Xenon" Blue ebay-hongkong bulbs that I'd ordered years ago for an old Passat.  They had a pair of blue sidelight bulbs too.

I've fitted the H7's and I'll test them against the new Bosch ones when they arrive but I'll be darned if I can get to remover the sidelight bulbs!  I've forgotten all my Gynaecology stuff from when I was younger, so can anyone give me some guidance on replacing / accessing the pesky little critters?

[Chrispb]

Some members have shaped a piece of wood to fit in the slot of the holder, then it's just a matter of twist and remove.
Personally I remove the headlamp unit (4 torx screws)

[SilverBeast]

Remove headlight every time for side and indicators. Quicker, cleaner and less painful.  Children can also watch you do the change without risk of learning "interesting" new words.

[madmanc]

Lol changed my sidelights this morning and yes it's a flipping pain in the wrist but having worked on mini's years ago I seem to have a double jointed wrist.
One thing I did find on the passenger side was a motor / pump for something that was just hanging around unattached to anything.

Sent from my Apple impersonator using Tapatalk 2

[madmanc]

Hey Guys

Sorry to dredge up an old Post again but i started to replace the bulbs for LED's over the weekend and when you put them into both sides of the car only one will work.

Say the Footwell lights... I have one in the drivers side, but put an LED in the Passenger as well and it doesnt work, swap it over for a normal capless and it works again.

I take it i Need to put some resistors in line, if so do you happen to know the size / ref number for them?

[Mirez]

No, they are all 12V standard feeds to ground so you shoudn't need to do anything like that and one can't (or shouldn't effect the other).

Am I reading that right though, when you put in the passenger one the drivers one no longer works?

[madmanc]

No if I have one in the driver the passenger side doesn't work. But to prove there is power I put a normal capless in the passenger and it powers up or visa versa.

Sent from my Apple impersonator using Tapatalk 2

[Mirez]

They aren't wired in series so that shouldn't make an ounce of difference??? You are aware that LED bulbs only go one way yeah? Try rotating the bulb...

[madmanc]

Mirez

I bow to you ohh knowledgeable one, you were perfectly correct and I must admit that i didnt try to turn them around.

All i need to do now is buy more of the double ended ones..

Unfortunately the small map reading lights at the back will not take the larger 5w5 leds so they will have to stay as normal cap less.

Thanks again ohh oracle

[Mirez]

NP, maybe try something like:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-501-W5W-T10-PCB-WHITE-LED-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB-CAPLESS-12V-INTERIOR-NUMBER-PLATE-/171183601289