LED turn signal and running lights.

[clone]

I'm looking to reduce the draw on my alternator by replacing the turn signals with LED's, and I was also hoping to replace the daytime running lights with LED's instead of running off the headlight.

1 will this reduce the load on the alternator in any meaningful way thereby extending alternator life and even get a few extra feet per gallon of gas?

2nd are their any kits available?

p.s. I may be the only one but yes I do find it annoying while sitting at a stoplight with my turn signal on that lights dim with each blink..... it just screams inefficiency to me.... it may be in my head but I've heard the engine change pitch as well.

 

[TimIacobucci]

Ok, I am not saying it is a bad idea to use LED lights here, if that is what you want to do then go for it, I personally do not know of any kits for this.

BUT, the reasons you are describing for wanting to use LED to reduce drain on the alternator is perhaps a bit dubious.

will this reduce the load on the alternator in any meaningful way thereby extending alternator life

I would say very very little, meaningful at all no.

and even get a few extra feet per gallon of gas?

Even less likely I should think.

The issue is not inefficiency of the lighting system, it is the inadequacy of the charging system. The stock alternator is weak and specifically underpowered at idle. This is why small things like blinkers can seem such a drain on it. The solution is a better alternator with more output at idle. Fortunately the leg work has already been done in finding a simple and cheap solution in the gm alternator.


http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-electrical-wiring/272646-saturn-alternator-swap.html

Improvements on Saturn Alternator Swap

They come on saturn sc2 cars which I see all over the junkyards, I found one for $30 and it tested good at autozone. Cheap, simple and effective, it doesn't get much better than that.

 

[clone]

I would say very very little, meaningful at all no.

well then here is the question of the day to consider..... or at least for me to consider.

a friend of mine was commenting about Tractor trailers and the transition to LED's on them.... because of this transition they've been able to downsize the alternator capacity to in some cases as low as 125watts.

and this is just from bulb changes to LED's, to boot I've never had a car or truck from a Toyota Rav 4 to a Dodge Dakota V8 that didn't have lights that dimmed when the turn signals were on at a stop light..... it's the nature of the beast with incadescent it seems.

this is the motivation for going LED..... will it extend alternator life if it's running at a more steady load..... I hope so especially if the alternators on the Talon are weak as mentioned then it seems the right way to go.... I don't know I'll look into it more but I'm reluctant to go with a higher capacity alternator by default.... I'm not saying it won't happen but I'd prefer to fix/minimise the issue from the demand side as opposed to the supply side.

p.s. yes I know their are bigger power draws but if it was made for "this" and I've reduced it I'm hoping that it will add some reliability.

 

[TimIacobucci]

I understand what you are saying and it makes sense. I just think there are lots of other larger issues, especially electrical ones such as low rpm voltage drop and bad grounding that need addressing on these cars more than turn signal loading.

I'm sorry I can't help you too much as I have not messed with led's really myself.

If you are this interested though I encourage you to go ahead with it. Even test the amps the lights draw and post back with before and after load differences. I think I am probably not the only one that would like to see how you go about this and what results you get if you do it. So take pics and tell us how it goes if you decide to do it.

 

[1Gdsmdriver]

well, they do make LED bulb replacements that fit in the stock plugs every light except the head lights, even for the little ones that are in the rear bumper for the corner running lights.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Yes, superbrightleds.com

 

[clone]

thx very much for the link to Superbrites.

the last question is will the electronic flasher kits do the job while keeping the draw low or will they work like the load resistors?

 

[Kastigir]

If you go with LEDs for the blinkers, you will need to add a load resistor or the lights will blink quickly like one is burnt out. It's also possible that using LEDs will throw a bulb warning light due to the lower load.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Our cars have bulb warning lights??

 

[clone]

will the faster blinking hurt the car or simply be mildly annoying, I've experienced it before and it's really not that bad..... may even be safer not sure.

if it could cause an issue I'll consider it but given the goals I'm against a load resistor almost entirely.

I've seen LED blinker kits and would prefer to wire them in instead.

I've got until next summer so time is on my side I'll explore further.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Its just annoying.