Converting to LED for max efficiency
 

Not new to driving to cars or modifying but after recently picking up a Civic VX and reading on here, it has gotten me to change my mindset about what I'm aiming for with this car and how I should drive, in addition to thinking of small ways to add as much efficiency as possibly.

So with that in mind, I was contemplating ways to improve efficiency and LEDs came to mind. I know that replacing traditional accessory bulbs with LEDs may not appear to make a big difference, I imagine the power being drawn when all of the bulbs are considered would make a big difference. Imagine if you will, a typical replacement for a traditional bulb with LED is typically 1/3 the drawing power.

So if you replaced ALL your bulbs with LEDs, it may help a lot in the long run. They also make LED bulb kits now, and I noticed that with my Civic in particular, it uses a traditional H4 bulb that is rated at 55W. An LED conversion kit uses a combined 17 watts compared to 110 watts for a pair of halogen bulbs with greater or equal light output.

Has anyone tested to see if converting to a full LED setup would give some fuel savings? I'd be interested in seeing what other peoples experiences were with this.

-Matt

The reduction would be so tiny it would make almost no difference unless it was part of larger mod, such as an alternator delete.

Alternator delete, or a lot of engine-off coasting at night.

I replaced all my lights with LEDs. Aside from the small amount of power savings, I figure that not having to ever worry about replacing bulbs ever again, along with having brighter lights is worth the small amount of money it cost.

I replaced my dome light. I have tried to figure out if it was worth replacing any other lights and it really seems that it is the same as replacing your rims and\or tires.

The Civic VX and HX came with great lightweight alloys and some tires are much more fuel efficient than others, but if you still have good tires, it is not cost-effective to replace them, or upgrade your rims.

From the maths I've seen posted here in the past, it takes about three years for LEDs to pay for themselves (this likely applies to tail lights only). Even a ten year payback isn't bad as at least you know you won't have any blown bulbs (risk of getting pulled over etc), and if you sell the car there's every chance you can use them on your next one.

Currently all my cars have stop/ tails in LED, some globes have already seen duty in up to three different cars. I've got interior lights, reverse lights etc done as well, but I do those more at my leisure.

There's also the safety aspect of LED stop lights lighting up faster, reducing your chance of being rear ended.

I always buy the best globes I can find, around $60 for 1157's.

is that per bulb?
I suggest you read this thread before buying anything to "upgrade".
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-31942.html
it looks like it stalled because of the existing housing and beam projection.
search is your friend and I am always finding info from years back that is still relevant today.
like stated, it will take YEARS for any ROI to be realized.
there are free things to do that you will see immediate results from. if looking for replacement parts because they're needed, that's one thing. if "upgrading" and shelving a good part, it's a waste that could otherwise buy more fuel.

Thanks for the link to those LED headlight bulbs, they look to be way better than the ones I was looking at.

I would like to convert the Jetta to round headlights. these are from an 09 Jeep listed on CL.

http://images.craigslist.org/00Z0Z_3...tD_600x450.jpg
Truck-Light LED headlights - $300/pr

Aside from the dash lighting, I don't have any incandescent bulbs left in my car.

A pair, 1157's are typically stop/ tail bulbs.

Has anyone found a decent brand for led bulbs? I bought some cheap ones on ebay and they seem to only last a month or two(always on) before burning out.

They would be for my license plate lights, i think they just get too hot in that application.

I've had good luck with https://www.superbrightleds.com/ and http://www.jamstrait.com/. I have LEDs from both companies and all are still working. I gave up on the cheap no-name LEDs on eBay. They all died on me.

x2 for superbrightleds

What Ebays are you buying? I've been using Ebay 164 license plate lights for several months between 2 cars and they're all great. I've had Ebay LED headlights for about 3 weeks now, and I love them.

Superbrightleds is great, they will do a straight exchange if your bulbs burn out or if you aren't satisfied. Recently I ordered LEDs that were rated at 5000k but I thought they were too blue so they gladly let me exchange them for 4100k ones. Great folks there and the bulbs have a warranty too.

As i drive a volvo where lights are on all the time it would probably be a good idea to replace with leds as bulbs fail. Have fitted blue bulbs for side lights on mot. Why they are fitted when you have to have dipped headlights on all the time beats me.

Buses and semis have running lights, but they are so huge, heavy, and square that I doubt switching dozens of incandescents to LEDs would make a noticeable difference.

All electricity in the car has to be generated from gas through motion by the ICE to electricity by the alternator.
From each gallon of gas you could get 8 kWh of electricity - at most; electricity in the car is way more expensive than from the wall.

If it makes sense to switch to LEDs at home, it sure does so in the car.

But I have had several LEDs fail in the license plate holder and some as city lights. Interior lighting does fine, but that isn't on all the time.

I bet it is the heat that kills them.
Lamp housings are much like greenhouses, if you run LEDs in them on a sunny day you may kill them.
So LEDs may be not very useful for permanently burning lights, despite the low usage, unless they have their own housing or enough cooling.