I would like an all red one, but it seems that they have one that is part red and part clear, is that correct from what I am seeing on eBay?

 

Anyone receive their V-LEDs shipment? I haven't received mine yet and they're not responding to emails.

 

really? the communication from them was excellent. i think i placed my order friday. can't remember. i received them yesterday. the two interior map lights and the trunk flat panel light. MAN those things are BRIGHT! when off, the map lights do have a faint dim glow to them and i bet the trunk one is the same way (just can't see it since the trunk is closed), but it doesn't bug me at all.

still waiting for my shipment from another vendor on the rope style LED lights so that i can do my foot wells.

did you try sending them an inquiry through their ad page? they responded to a question i had about their product the next day. good luck.

 

Gary: I ordered them last Sunday (over a week ago) and have yet to receive any emails from them or the LEDs. I used the USPS Tracking # they sent and it doesn't show any updated info other than that it was expected to be shipped. I've bought from them in the past but it seems odd they're just ignoring me now.

 

I didn't opt for the express mail delivery, so V-LEDS resorted to using the new-fangled cheap UPS/USPS partnership system where they take over 1 week to deliver in-state packages. It actually arrived in my state last week but is taking well over 1 week to traverse the distance covered by a 3-hour road trip.

 

hmm... i think the slowest option i had was usps priority mail. which is 3 days to hawaii. monday was a holiday...

 

UPS is so horrible...

I'll order ground service and it will end up in my state two days later, but I have to wait an additional 3 days before they'll deliver it to my house.

 

I finally received them today (took almost 2 weeks for VLEDS to deliver from WA to MI) and they sent me Amber LEDs instead of Red LEDs.... sigh!

 

hey, does anyone know for those LED 3rd brake lights, how much watt resistor i would need?

i went to radio shack tonight to buy some wire connectors to do my foot well lighting mod and came across some of those tiny resistors that are plastic coated. the largest i saw were 1 watt resistors. would those be enough to kill the dim light? the one i am running now is huge and it puts off a lot of heat.

 

FYI, I did install the one Red LED I got (the others were yellow, VLEDS screwed up the order) and noticed it was like 1/2 the brightness of the incandescent 921. I kept the LED because the 921 wasn't bright to begin with. It's almost like a marker lamp that turns on. You have to face it HEAD ON w/ the stock bulb to see any type of light in a dark garage. With the bulk of cars/SUVs being taller than the Stang, the stock 3rd brake lamp is almost decorative IMHO. The 13-SMT LED I bought does ok, but Ford could have used a reflector system to better distribute the light.

I tested the yellow LEDs in my Crown Vic just to see how LEDs would work out - and they're almost as bright as the bulbs MAINLY due to the use of actual reflectors (painted plastic, but hey it works).

Overall, I guess it is up to you - if you want to spend $40-$50 on the LED array, that's probably the best way to go. I'm going to stick with the $12 13-SMT LED since I'm not a fan of clear or smoked lenses on my Vista Blue Stang, nor am I a fan of 1930s incandescent technology.

 

Gary: I'm not sure what type of load resistor you need, but the 1W resistors aren't going to work. I saw a recommendation for a 6 ohm 50W resistor to load down the turn signal bulbs!
P = VI
V = IR

So with a 6 ohm resistor, it's pulling over 2A of current at 13 VDC, or dissipating roughly 26W of power!!!

 

Update:

I saw another S197 on the road and noticed its stock 3rd brake light wasn't all that great under the mid-day sun. It was like someone flashing their keyboard LED light, so I am not too upset about the low amount of light from the LED retrofit.

I added chrome tape on the black "reflector" and on the inside of the black plastic housing that clips to the trunk. It doesn't seem to do much to improve the light output. However, I can't really tell the LED is dimly lit from the outside so I don't need a load resistor.

I took before and after videos, and it is obvious that the LED has a much faster turn on and turn off time. I hope the 2010 Mustang's LED CHMSL / 3rd brake light is a perfect retrofit for 05-09 S197s.

 

Here's a video showing the before/after with a LED retrofit capsule:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emSZW-yMFbA

It's not the most ideal setup, but it was cheap and easy to do. If someone were to sell a well-built OEM-quality full LED replacement with a RED lens for under $50, I'd consider buying it. Smoked/clear just looks too rice on a Vista Blue stang, IMHO.

 

hmm... actually, sorry but i couldn't tell the difference. maybe in person, it is noticeable. if you want a full LED replacement, i still think that you should consider getting a clear one lens and using the red lens paint.

 

It's good that you couldn't tell the difference. I mainly wanted to replace as many of the incandescent bulbs as possible because that technology belongs in the early 20th century. However if you look closely you'll see the incandescent CHMSL turns off at the same rate as the tail lights. The LED turns off almost instantly. That's about the only real difference you can spot, although I can tell the LED is slightly dimmer.

 

I BOUGHT 2 NEW LED BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE GLOWING, IN THE NAME OF GOD SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THE RESISTOR EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. THANK YOU

 

No offense, but the last activity on this thread was from over 14 years ago... Therefore, I would suggest submitting a new thread... Meanwhile, welcome aboard.

 

thanks I'm new on here