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MG TD TF 1500 - A BRILLIANT IDEA....


Greetings MG Fans...

While most of the Sunday crowd are into
Brats & Beer, screaming for the their favorite
team, I into confusion about the Brakes & Tail
Lights.....!

I seek to change-over those olde rear brake/tail
lights 1157, for some RED LED Brilliant Bulbs.
Not an easy task with so many options and
conflicting reviews from buyers and sellers.

I'm into Simple, Easy and Quick...!

My TD is car # 823, without Turn Signals and is
12 volt, Positive Ground.

What led bulbs will work best...?
Experienced users, please. ( No guess work allowed.)

Need part number, supplier, price and almost
a guarantee that they will fit/work in my TD
and will shine better than the olde 1157.

Maybe, even be brilliant...!


Plug & Play is preferred....

Gord Clark was/is also looking for same info.


Happy & Brilliant Trails.


DrRx.


drcrougeux

Not sure about LED but I fitted 2357 bulbs in my '51 TD, which is still positive earth. 1157s are 32/3 candlepower (high filament/low filament) whereas 2357s are 40/3. Not a huge difference but they are noticeably brighter.

Unfortunately brighter == more amperage, so at the same time I fitted a relay in the circuit to protect the brake light switch. Although that's probably a good idea even if using the standard 1157. LEDs of course should draw less current than an incandescent.

See here for some brightness info:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/signal_bulbs/signal_bulbs.html
Rob Edwards

There are some plug and play positive ground led solutions out there, not cheap, I will try to find the source when I get home.

I have been considering similar
Dean E

In a recent thread their was a link to a UK supplier of LED bulbs that were available in pos. grd. I will look and post the link if I find it. Recommended to use RED LED'S so light will not look pink. Also they become brighter if foil duct tape is applied to the reflecting surface (better than painting white) Most other LED's require the car to be converted to Neg. Grd.
C.R. Tyrell

http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/

I would be curious if anyone uses these LED's for a positive ground ground car and how they work after install.
Frank Cronin

Here was the site someone recommended for positive ground LED bulbs.
litezupp.com/

I have NOT tried these, and would like to hear about any experince with any of these.

I have thought about pulling apart a negative ground and making it positive... at the prices these guys want, it may be worth the time...

Dean E

Another site I just found from another thread (Stop light)
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm
Dean E

I picked up two sets of 12V50/14CP at a car show. Vendor was a private party. These are really bright 50/14 vs. standard bulbs at 32/3.

From what I have heard, these draw the same amperage as the 1157 standard bulb. I have had them in the TD (positive ground) and my 67 BGT negative ground) for two years without any electrical issues.

Here is a seller in the UK. Did not find any us vendors yet.

http://www.dcamotorcycles.nl/index.php?item=12v50_14cp-transparant-super-bulb-_1157&action=article&aid=189&lang=NL
Bruce Cunha

Sorry, that is not a UK site, but they do carry the 50/14. The amperage on this appears to be double the 1157 standard 32/3 bulb (4.17 vs 2.08, so a relay is probably a good idea. But they do work very well.
Bruce Cunha

Just refreshed a thread from the archives on this subject. "LED lights" started on Feb 22, 2011.

I'm going to reread it myself!
JIM NORTHRUP SR

I used an off-the-shelf LED trailer marker light from Auto Zone to make a third brake light on my positive ground TD. I just reversed the wiring instructions for the two wires realizing that the author of the instructions assumed "wire = +, Frame = -" Works fine but I have an issue to be investigated that may be related.

I have the usual three wire thermal flasher (NAPA part number something that I'll get and post later). If I hook up the dashboard indicator wire (P terminal if memory serves), the indicator light stays on. I plan on disconnecting the LED third brake light to see if this is what's causing the problem. If it is, I'll post that fact. Hopefully I ca do all that ths evening.

Jud
J K Chapin

I used an off-the-shelf LED trailer marker light from Auto Zone to make a third brake light on my positive ground TD. I just reversed the wiring instructions for the two wires realizing that the author of the instructions assumed "wire = +, Frame = -" Works fine but I have an issue to be investigated that may be related.

I have the usual three wire thermal flasher (NAPA part number something that I'll get and post later). If I hook up the dashboard indicator wire (P terminal if memory serves), the indicator light stays on. I plan on disconnecting the LED third brake light to see if this is what's causing the problem. If it is, I'll post that fact. Hopefully I can do all that ths evening.

Jud
J K Chapin

False alarm (I hope). Disconnecting the LED array for the thrid brake light had no effect. Scratched head and noodles and took apart the old flasher (a NAPA that I'd replaced witha NAPA) to see if I could figure out how the heat actuated relay worked - couldn't. Drank a beer and remembered I'd found another flasher that I must have bought when I had the TR-4A (sold that for parts in 1982). Thought "What the hey!" and plugged it in. Works perfectly. Wonder how long it will work. If (when?) it fails I'll start a new thread with the question "Why do flasher units fail?" At least I learned that LED arrays don't (immediately?) screw up flasher units. 'Til then - Safety Fast!

Jud
J K Chapin

I put these in my 54TF. 12 volt positive ground. Just plugged them in and they work very well. The only issue was improving the ground. Don't draw enough juice to jump a poor connection.

http://litezupp.com/shop/start
Peter
Peter Dahlquist

1157-50/15 bulbs can be had here on ebay. Not sure of the supply, but these were used before LEDs came out! Hope the link works. PJ

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Bike-Master-BikeMaster-Replacement-Halogen-Tail-Bulb-12V-50-15W-H1157-/350827025536?_trksid=p2054897.l4275




Paul sr

A number of the model A Ford suppliers have the positive ground bulbs, I believe. Try Brattons or Snyders Antique auto parts.

Brian Warmuth
ZBMan

Peter, I asssume that you did not have to change the flasher to an electronic type? Hos is the side visibilty? It looks like the Litezupp LEDs are the type that only have a straight outward beam.
Jim Merz

Dr. Rx,

Below is the URL (from the archives) for a similar request I had recently := http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=archiveth&archiveyear=8_2013.dat&access=&subject=8&subjectar=8&source=T&thread=2013101305580227004.

Got some excellent suggestions as you will undoubtedly see.

I haven't done anything about it yet as its not a priority 'till next spring, but you live in "the land of perpetual sunshine and warmth" so perhaps you would like to give it your best shot, and let us all know.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Jim, I did not have to change the flasher. No real change in side visibility.
Peter Dahlquist

Thanks for the reply Peter. I will put Lite Zupp on my wish list while I wait for some input from Geoff Baker's project to make an improved LED tail lamp that he talked about back in April 2011 on the other BBS subject entitled LED Lights. He never made any later entries but it the subject was just recently resurrected by Jim Northrup.
Jim Merz

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2013 and 31/10/2013

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