G-049: Back up lights too dim!
#81
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 55
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I have 15% on my back window, 20% on the rest and I couldn't see crap out the back. I installed 921 Wedge White from superbrightleds.com. $12.40 delivered and not only are the HID white but they look like two searchlights on the back! You can see me backing up a mile away! They have 9 led's per bulb and install in about 5 minutes. Be careful of the plastic rivets on the trunk liner. Easy removal if you know how. Give me a shout if you want me to email some pics.
#82
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Originally Posted by RawDogg
They're 6600k PIAA HID Bulbs.... Real HID bulbs, but give more of purple/blue-ish tint like an Audi/BMW.
Stock HID's come with 3500k (i think?)...these just bump up the richness of the color. In actuality, they make the stock HID look like a stock yellow light when compared side by side....
If you check out PIAA 's website, you'll find more info there...![Pimp Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/pimpgrin.gif)
Stock HID's come with 3500k (i think?)...these just bump up the richness of the color. In actuality, they make the stock HID look like a stock yellow light when compared side by side....
If you check out PIAA 's website, you'll find more info there...
![Pimp Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/pimpgrin.gif)
#83
Originally Posted by Mile High TL
I have 15% on my back window, 20% on the rest and I couldn't see crap out the back. I installed 921 Wedge White from superbrightleds.com. $12.40 delivered and not only are the HID white but they look like two searchlights on the back! You can see me backing up a mile away! They have 9 led's per bulb and install in about 5 minutes. Be careful of the plastic rivets on the trunk liner. Easy removal if you know how. Give me a shout if you want me to email some pics.
"LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs (longer life, faster on/off times, lower power consumption, more vivid colors) but brightness is not one of them"
I was searching acurazine.com for a replacement (to the 921 9LEDS) when I ran across this thread and I felt obligated to say something, so others would not be led astray.
#85
Almost one year has passed since the original post - have we reached a consensus that nothing is brighter than the stock bulbs?
I will admit that the mod is nice and that I'm tempted to do it, but my night vision is awful nowadays and as a result, I'd only do the mod if it results in more brightness.
I will admit that the mod is nice and that I'm tempted to do it, but my night vision is awful nowadays and as a result, I'd only do the mod if it results in more brightness.
#86
![Talking](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif)
I did the replacement of the back ups (PIAA Extreme White W2) and the 9 LEDs for the tag lights.
Since my rear window is tinted, I found the stock back ups ineffective and wanted to try this mod.
In my opinion, the PIAAs are slightly brighter. It may be the blue / white just apprears to brighten better than the yellows OEM bulbs? I seem to get slightly better rearward lighting when backing down the driveway at night (very dark!). Theses bulbs do seem to be caught in reflective materials better. I noticed the PIAAs reflected off a parked cars side markers better than the stocks when backing up. But this was a minor difference. If I wasn't specifically comparing, I likely would have not noticed.
It may just be a matter of taste / appearence.
I also tried the LEDS on the tag lights. First, I tried 6 LEDS...too dim. Now I tried 9 LEDS, and although I like the look, they are not nearly as bright as the stock incandescent bulbs. Further, I have the WeatherTech sealed Tag Frame. It seems to block the light a bit that the light does not wash over the plastic cover. Instead, get a look of 2 narrow 'beams' shining down the tag. I like the color and look, but may switch back to the stock bulbs (especially if I get pulled over!).
I know, I know....pics!
BTW, I can remove the trunk liner and fixtures and make this swap faster than a NASCAR pit crew! Practice makes perfect.
Since my rear window is tinted, I found the stock back ups ineffective and wanted to try this mod.
In my opinion, the PIAAs are slightly brighter. It may be the blue / white just apprears to brighten better than the yellows OEM bulbs? I seem to get slightly better rearward lighting when backing down the driveway at night (very dark!). Theses bulbs do seem to be caught in reflective materials better. I noticed the PIAAs reflected off a parked cars side markers better than the stocks when backing up. But this was a minor difference. If I wasn't specifically comparing, I likely would have not noticed.
It may just be a matter of taste / appearence.
I also tried the LEDS on the tag lights. First, I tried 6 LEDS...too dim. Now I tried 9 LEDS, and although I like the look, they are not nearly as bright as the stock incandescent bulbs. Further, I have the WeatherTech sealed Tag Frame. It seems to block the light a bit that the light does not wash over the plastic cover. Instead, get a look of 2 narrow 'beams' shining down the tag. I like the color and look, but may switch back to the stock bulbs (especially if I get pulled over!).
I know, I know....pics!
BTW, I can remove the trunk liner and fixtures and make this swap faster than a NASCAR pit crew! Practice makes perfect.
#87
Outta my way!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 55
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Originally Posted by Brewmaster
The PIAA 19224 is the correct model number. It is an exact fit for the stock bulb, which is a #921 wedge style bulb
![Too Cool](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/toocool.gif)
#88
Outta my way!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Age: 55
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OK, carolinaclassictrucks rocks
Got the right bulbs today, PIAA 19224. Ran happily into my garage, opened the PIAA package, hmmmmmmmm, 18W just like a stock bulb (OK, I knew that from previous post) and clored in deep blue. The question pops in my head: how is it that the same wattage bulb as stock, but colored, will produce more light output than a clear bulb?? The answer is - NO WAY! I inserted one PIAA bulb into the lens and ran comaro - against garage door, out on my driveway in complete darknes and out on the street parking about 10feet away from a tree.
Guess what - stock bulb performed better in all three cases!
Please note: I do have 35% tint on the back window.
The only thing positive about PIAAs is that they do look better when lit if u r looking at the rear of you car - but I personally could care less. However, they look total rice when not lit ;cuz the lens is clear and u can see the blue bulb inside
I have pics, but it 's too late and I am too angry to look for hosting now, if u r interested, PM me for pics
Also, I can sell these PIAA bulbs for $10+s/h, I paid 12.95 + s/h
I am not trying to call anybody on this board, it's all subjective, but I think ppl advertising piaa were going mainly for the looks here in that particular application for reverse lights.
I used PIAAsmyself - they are great, I have fogs on my wifes 99 Accord, and the headlights use PIAAs as well, however, those bulbs are about 10-15 watts more than stock and they are clear, only the small reflector inside has that very light blue hue, which doesnt impend the light output.
Hope this helps
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Got the right bulbs today, PIAA 19224. Ran happily into my garage, opened the PIAA package, hmmmmmmmm, 18W just like a stock bulb (OK, I knew that from previous post) and clored in deep blue. The question pops in my head: how is it that the same wattage bulb as stock, but colored, will produce more light output than a clear bulb?? The answer is - NO WAY! I inserted one PIAA bulb into the lens and ran comaro - against garage door, out on my driveway in complete darknes and out on the street parking about 10feet away from a tree.
Guess what - stock bulb performed better in all three cases!
![Dunno](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Please note: I do have 35% tint on the back window.
The only thing positive about PIAAs is that they do look better when lit if u r looking at the rear of you car - but I personally could care less. However, they look total rice when not lit ;cuz the lens is clear and u can see the blue bulb inside
![ugh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ugh.gif)
I have pics, but it 's too late and I am too angry to look for hosting now, if u r interested, PM me for pics
Also, I can sell these PIAA bulbs for $10+s/h, I paid 12.95 + s/h
I am not trying to call anybody on this board, it's all subjective, but I think ppl advertising piaa were going mainly for the looks here in that particular application for reverse lights.
I used PIAAsmyself - they are great, I have fogs on my wifes 99 Accord, and the headlights use PIAAs as well, however, those bulbs are about 10-15 watts more than stock and they are clear, only the small reflector inside has that very light blue hue, which doesnt impend the light output.
Hope this helps
#89
Over Caffeinated
Old Guy Disease...
Apologies for resurrecting this thread.
The eyes are the 3rd thing to go. I forget what the first 2 are.
Do the PIAA 19224s really produce any more light? If not, are there any other options?
Backing up at night with window tint when you have 50k+ miles on the personal odometer is an exercise in caution!![ugh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ugh.gif)
Thanks,
Steve
The eyes are the 3rd thing to go. I forget what the first 2 are.
Do the PIAA 19224s really produce any more light? If not, are there any other options?
Backing up at night with window tint when you have 50k+ miles on the personal odometer is an exercise in caution!
![ugh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ugh.gif)
Thanks,
Steve
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