Which LED supplier for interior W5W ?

[cedrichn]

Hello

I am planning on putting some LED for the interior of my C5 X7
My idea is to go for 6000k for the pavement light and boot light (where you need to see !), and 4000k for all the other interior ones (I am more a "dark panel" addict than "daylight inside" )

My issue is that, if you put "LED W5W" on internet, you get pages and pages of sellers...All better than the other ones ! Or you go for the big brand like Philips and Osram, and you pay 10 times the price....

=> So, do you recommend any specific supplier ?
=> Also, as it is for the inside, I don't need "CAN free error" LED, right ? I would like to avoid these, because to my mind it is unfortunate to make the LED consume more energy, when one of its principle is actually to consume less than conventionnal bulbs... Correct me if I am wrong !

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

See my post here:

viewtopic.php?p=633367#p633367

I prefer the wedge LED - but make sure you check the sizes as these can differ from seller to seller. Also make sure you get ones where the components are protected and not exposed. Tyhey may cover these in resin or rubber.

The coloured W5W bulbs are ok, but if you want brighter and cooler, the wedges fit nicely.

[slackgarry]

Have these in my interior light, Very nice and even light. Little bit expensive though.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0827SKVV5/ ... _lig_dp_it

[cedrichn]

Thanks guys !
Marc, do you prefer wedge because you don't need 360° light for foot lights ? As the LED will be oriented anyway... Does it make a difference ?

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so this is my thinking.

Most of the interior lighting is more or less flat - especially the footwell lighting. It really only emits light roughly 180 ° out - there's nothing behind it.

Same for the pavement lighting in the doors.

As for the interior map lighting and courtesy lights - these have reflectors in to reflect the rear light back out so no difference. I have tried both and prefer the wedge lighting as the lighting is more intense than the filament bulbs which are quite dull in comparison.

I did try the bulbs originally, but didn't like them - too dull and the colours were too dark. The LEDs provide a much crisper and cleaner light if that makes sense, and the colours are not so dim. There are more choices now too.

I've replaced all mine - courtesy lights, boot, number plate bulbs, door sills, under seat, footwells - all with wedges. and they are great. If anything, I may yet replace the courtesy lights with the light blue, just like the under-seat ones at some point, so it doesn't look like something out of downtown LA in the 70s!

[cedrichn]

Thanks Marc, that's what I think too about the light direction and the "light effect" which is definitely more intense, and also make the car look younger/modern. Just as a personnal choice, and maybe having more sensitive eyes, I would prefer less bright for the courtesy/interior/"roof" lights. But, I see the point, and each to their own/comfort !

So, I took this ones for the foot lights and boot light: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113318890393
Why ? Because the led are on the side, which is where I need the light to go. And they say they are more efficient in term of Lumen than the previous ones, including 7020 I found often. Downside is that they don't give the Watts usage(for my curiosity), and obviously, how true is everything they write... I will try to feedback when I have them !

Regarding the 4000k ones for the interior, I might wait a bit...
- Even though I just realised I miss some bulbs in the car, I should have a lot of spare after installing the 6000k ones
- Not so easy to find 4000k for good price
- I want to obtain some feedback/lesson learn from my 6000k installation

[GiveMeABreak]

You'll probably pay a little more for the COB CREE ones as they are brighter than the SMD ones - but more expensive. - so it really depends on personal preference.

I wanted brighter ones for the puddle lights in the doors, and subtle interior lighting - that isn't so bright at night when you need the interior lights on or open the doors. I have the ambient lighting system fitted, so I have a very low level lighting effect on the main console, doors and controls which is great - I just don't like the flood of white light coming on at night when opening the doors

[Filberton]

Thoughts please. I switched all interior lights, under-seat and puddle lights to LED and found the rear courtesy light did not go fully off when driving (a dim glow visible in the rear view mirror). Once parked up and locked, it went off after about 30 minutes. I switched any 2 of the bulbs back to filament and all was fine.
A mate said it was CANBUS, another said it was due to low resistance in the LEDs and another said “cheap bulbs”
I do miss the crisp white light on all bulbs so would love to go back to all LED. Anyone else have this issue?

Mike

[GiveMeABreak]

This is characteristic of some cheaper LEDs where if you don't get the decent ones with load resistors built into some of them, you will get odd behaviour like the glowing - long after locking the car.

You need to buy some that have load resistors on, as each bulb is expecting 5 watts and the LEDs are a fraction of this power.

Something like these with built in chips to prevent errors:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/501-Led-Cob- ... SwlOlddpLU

[Filberton]

Thanks Marc,
I ‘ve actually just ordered two of these for the number plate lamps (which were multi-smd but some had burnt out). I might try them on the interior first to see how they work. I know size is ok for the number plate and hopefully the interior light unit.

Mike