Changing bulbs to LEDs

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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 01:05 AM
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Changing bulbs to LEDs

First let me say that I'm new to this forum and just bought my RDX a few weeks ago. I just upgraded from a S2000 and so far I miss the S, but love the new RDX.

I've tried searching but couldn't find anyone that changed out all the bulbs to Leds.

I've been searching around and it seems like most people are going with superbrightleds.com, v-leds.com, or autolumination.com. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with any of these companies and products. I'm trying not to mix/match the colors as I want a uniform color(K) and brightness all around.

I want to replace all the interior lights, the front turn signals, turn signals in the mirrors, license plate, reverse, and am considering the DRLs, although I might just change these to HIDs. As for the Fogs, I'm already planning on upgrading these to 3000K HIDs.

Hopefully I'll get some good feedback, if so, I promise to post a detailed write-up.

Thanks!
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 09:10 AM
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There is a thread with a list of bulbs on it. I also think sylvania's website will list all the bulbs.

You do not want to change the DRL's to HID's otherwise you will be basically high beaming people all day.
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by cwepruk
There is a thread with a list of bulbs on it. I also think sylvania's website will list all the bulbs.

You do not want to change the DRL's to HID's otherwise you will be basically high beaming people all day.

Thanks cwepruk.

I did some research and already found all the part numbers for the different bulbs we need.

I am looking more more first hand user experience with the different products from the 3 companies I mentioned earlier, or any ones I didn't. I am more interested in quality of product, brightness (lumens if anyone has it) and temperatures (kelvin). I probably should have mentioned I'm looking for HID white, something between 4300K to 6000K.

I also thought that having led DRL might blind a few people, but it looks like some companies have a mod for this that runs low voltage for the DRL and full power for the high beams.

Thanks,
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 12:18 PM
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here's interior led just get the package

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/_Car-Tru...1QQ_trksidZm38
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by samura1
First let me say that I'm new to this forum and just bought my RDX a few weeks ago. I just upgraded from a S2000 and so far I miss the S, but love the new RDX.

I've tried searching but couldn't find anyone that changed out all the bulbs to Leds.

I've been searching around and it seems like most people are going with superbrightleds.com, v-leds.com, or autolumination.com. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with any of these companies and products. I'm trying not to mix/match the colors as I want a uniform color(K) and brightness all around.

I want to replace all the interior lights, the front turn signals, turn signals in the mirrors, license plate, reverse, and am considering the DRLs, although I might just change these to HIDs. As for the Fogs, I'm already planning on upgrading these to 3000K HIDs.

Hopefully I'll get some good feedback, if so, I promise to post a detailed write-up.

Thanks!
I changed a bunch of bulbs to LED all from v-leds. There's a lot of bulbs and the $$$ certainly add up, so I concentrated on a select few. I only picked bulbs that are SMT or M-SMT but I don't have any direct comparison to other types. I did front and rear turn signals, all brakes, reverse, cargo, courtesy, and map. The brakes aren't blindingly bright but they're brighter than stock and give off a deeper red. Be sure to look at the deminsion of the LEDs and double-check because I ordered a few that doesn't fit (dome and license plate). Get the brightest bulb you can find for the reverse light...my camera view at night is a joy! I've thought about the mirror turn signals but after reading up on how to take the mirror apart (https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/changing-bulbs-mirror-mounted-directional-signals-681839/), it seems like a major pain in the ass.

v-leds didn't seem to be the cheapest to buy from but their shipping deal is decent (only $.50 for each additional items). My brake lights could've been a little brighter but I'm mostly happy with their products.
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Old Jan 10, 2009 | 05:58 AM
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Cool.
What are v-leds part #s for the reverse and brake lights?
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Old Jan 10, 2009 | 02:06 PM
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Are resistors still need for turn signals to work right?

I'd like some plug and play turn signals and brake lights.
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Old Jan 15, 2009 | 12:40 AM
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R*D*X* - Thanks, but I am trying to avoid ebay, and trying to stick with one vendor to ensure the best color match.

RDXBOYMA - Thanks for the info.


Well I went ahead and made a purchase from v-leds.com. I ordered 194_4_W, 3175_6_MSMT_W, and 1157_18_W.

I replaced the following:
Dome (1) - 3175_6_MSMT_W
Map (2) - 194_4_W
Trunk (1) - 194_4_W
Driver Door (1) - 194_4_W
Passenger Door (1) - 194_4_W
License Plate (2) - 194_4_W
Front Turn Signals (2) - 1157_18_W

I'm still going to replace a few more but wanted to test these out first. Pictures to come soon....
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Old Jan 15, 2009 | 08:52 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by RDXBOYMA
I changed a bunch of bulbs to LED all from v-leds. There's a lot of bulbs and the $$$ certainly add up, so I concentrated on a select few. I only picked bulbs that are SMT or M-SMT but I don't have any direct comparison to other types. I did front and rear turn signals, all brakes, reverse, cargo, courtesy, and map. The brakes aren't blindingly bright but they're brighter than stock and give off a deeper red. Be sure to look at the deminsion of the LEDs and double-check because I ordered a few that doesn't fit (dome and license plate). Get the brightest bulb you can find for the reverse light...my camera view at night is a joy! I've thought about the mirror turn signals but after reading up on how to take the mirror apart (https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681839), it seems like a major pain in the ass.

v-leds didn't seem to be the cheapest to buy from but their shipping deal is decent (only $.50 for each additional items). My brake lights could've been a little brighter but I'm mostly happy with their products.

What are the part#s for the brake and reverse lights?
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by wspy
What are the part#s for the brake and reverse lights?
I go these:

7443_VSTAR_R - Outer brake light
194_19_SMT_R - Inner parking light
921_14_HP_R1 - Third brake light
7443_20_W - Backup light
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 08:57 PM
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Cool Thanks!
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 07:53 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by RDXBOYMA
I go these:

7443_VSTAR_R - Outer brake light
194_19_SMT_R - Inner parking light
921_14_HP_R1 - Third brake light
7443_20_W - Backup light
it would be cool if you could post pics of the front and back of the car to show how good they would look
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Old Jan 31, 2009 | 10:26 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by samura1
Well I went ahead and made a purchase from v-leds.com. I ordered 194_4_W, 3175_6_MSMT_W, and 1157_18_W.

I replaced the following:
Dome (1) - 3175_6_MSMT_W
Map (2) - 194_4_W
Trunk (1) - 194_4_W
Driver Door (1) - 194_4_W
Passenger Door (1) - 194_4_W
License Plate (2) - 194_4_W
Front Turn Signals (2) - 1157_18_W

I'm still going to replace a few more but wanted to test these out first. Pictures to come soon....
You got white LED for your front turn signals? That bulb is supposed to be amber since it's a clear enclosure. Is that a typo or did you change something else?
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Old Jan 31, 2009 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 007Acura
it would be cool if you could post pics of the front and back of the car to show how good they would look
I'll take some pictures in the spring...winter in New England just isn't the time to take pictures!
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Old Jan 31, 2009 | 09:58 PM
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Do you need any resistors for the RDX?
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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 02:23 AM
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Originally Posted by cwepruk
Do you need any resistors for the RDX?
This was never answered. Anyone know if you need load resistors if you change the front turn signals to LEDs?
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Old Feb 26, 2009 | 09:02 AM
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Yeah, if I could just buy a few LED's and plug and play, it's an easy choice. If I'm splicing stuff in...not so much.
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Heft
This was never answered. Anyone know if you need load resistors if you change the front turn signals to LEDs?
Yes, you need resistors. I've got the hyperblink problem and have been trying to find a way to replace the turn signal flasher with an LED flasher. But, not having much luck because the RDX doesn't seem to use a conventional flasher. Even the Acura dealer doesn't know how you can access the flasher. Resistors may be the only option.

Having said that, the hyperflash isn't all that terrible with the V-LED (front and rear) bulbs I put in. The light goes through a complete on/off state so the effect is kinda cool (but probably a bit annoying to the guy behind you!)
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 05:28 PM
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pics and vide0!
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Old May 18, 2009 | 03:28 AM
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yeah, pics of the led lights ?
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Old May 18, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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I bought a chrome turn signal bulb that's chrome so its not orange. My 9005's were LED but I took it off to go HID but I had to take off the HID because my installer put a high wattage HID on my 9005's that ended up flickering and the only way for it to not flicker is to keep the high beams on and I passed on that. He's looking for a new HID set for me and when he does, i'll post photos.

Do the LEDs on the rears really make a difference? I can't tell about the faster and brighter thing. I will say this, all my interior lights are all LED and they're NOT brighter than the halos and i've had to upgrade all my LED lights to bigger "bulbs" (T10->T15) when they do fit and my trunk LED i actually took out and put back the halo since i coudn't see anything at night.
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Old May 19, 2009 | 02:22 AM
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do we need to just 1 of each ?

7443_VSTAR_R - Outer brake light
194_19_SMT_R - Inner parking light
921_14_HP_R1 - Third brake light
7443_20_W - Backup light
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Old May 19, 2009 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ucsmfu
do we need to just 1 of each ?

7443_VSTAR_R - Outer brake light
194_19_SMT_R - Inner parking light
921_14_HP_R1 - Third brake light
7443_20_W - Backup light
Yes, one bulb per light socket. At v-leds, most of the bulbs are packaged as pairs (except for the third brake light because they know you only need one anyway).
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Old May 20, 2009 | 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RDXBOYMA
Yes, one bulb per light socket. At v-leds, most of the bulbs are packaged as pairs (except for the third brake light because they know you only need one anyway).
cool, thanks buddy, I will get them soon
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Old May 20, 2009 | 04:33 AM
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Originally Posted by RDXBOYMA
Yes, one bulb per light socket. At v-leds, most of the bulbs are packaged as pairs (except for the third brake light because they know you only need one anyway).
hey guys, just making sure I'm buying the right lights, if someone can double check and verify that every looks good, that would be great

thanks

7443_VSTAR_R - Outer brake light http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/B...-p6472892.html

194_19_SMT_R - Inner parking light http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/P...-p4835711.html

921_14_HP_R1 - Third brake light http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/B...-p5746586.html

7443_20_W - Backup light

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/P...-p6634404.html

especially the backup light, can someone confirm with me that it's the correct one ?

thanks alot guys
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Old Apr 30, 2010 | 04:52 PM
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A bump.

The 921_14_HP_R1 is great! It is absolutely brighter than the stock incandescent. (It should be: It is a 5 W LED vs. a 16 W incandescent. Even at a conservative 5 x efficiency, it is equivalent to a 25 W incandescent. Add in the fact that red LED's only emit red light, less light is scattered by the lens, too.)

I also just put in a 3175_4HP_W_6K. It kicks my old LED's ass. I think it is at least as bright as the stock incandescent, and most likely even brighter.

In a nutshell, LED's have gotten way brighter over the last few years.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 10:31 PM
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Could someone provide a list of which LED replacements require resistors and which don't? Thanx...
David
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 12:01 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by SPNJHockey
Could someone provide a list of which LED replacements require resistors and which don't? Thanx...
David
You only need resisters if you change the turn signal bulbs.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 04:39 PM
  #29  
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bumping this old thread cuz it's got some valuable info like part numbers from V-LEDs.

lets bump it...anyone do this and can anyone finally post some pix/videos? i'll be ordering this pretty soon but one thing missing are the corner lights? (front amber and rear red).
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 09:13 PM
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i did a conversion to vled a year back. i went back to incandescent because of lack of output. i was involved in an accident on a sunny day because a dude infront of me didnt see my signal lights go on in the sun light, when he was doing a right and me a left.
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Old Jan 9, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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will this fit

can someone let me know if either of these bulbs is the right size for the back up light?

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...68537-1-2.html

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...93260-1-2.html

the original link in this thread for one doesn't go to a current product anymore. I've bought a back up led before and it didn't fit and don't want that to happen again.

thanks
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