Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
They probably would be, but I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger for them. They cost $70 per pair, and only have a 90 day warranty. Compare at $22 for a pair of DDM.
How To Install Switchback LEDs
- Thread starter Elemino
- Start date
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
So I talked to the guy I bought the bulbs from. Apparently he's been getting a lot of returns because they are defective. He says the manufacturer claims the problem is because the bulbs are designed for 12 volts where most car produce between 13~16.... der!... Typical charging voltage is 14.5 volts, so I'm not sure why the manufacturer didn't know that.
The guy has been real nice through this entire thing. He gave me the option to return the bulbs for full refund, or send me a different set and a $5 refund. He claims the new bulbs are brighter (With fewer LED's), non-polarity biased, and don't have this problem. The bulbs also use two color LEDs. The same LEDs that light up white, turn amber instead of having separate LEDs like the other bulbs. I should have these in a couple of days.
http://bit.ly/Ma2I2y
I have a pair coming from DDM as well, but they wont be here for a while. Everything DDM ships new is from China, and it takes a while just to get through customs. If these turn out well, I'll just put the other bulbs on the Navigator or sell them on here. We'll see, and I'll keep everyone posted on my results.
The guy has been real nice through this entire thing. He gave me the option to return the bulbs for full refund, or send me a different set and a $5 refund. He claims the new bulbs are brighter (With fewer LED's), non-polarity biased, and don't have this problem. The bulbs also use two color LEDs. The same LEDs that light up white, turn amber instead of having separate LEDs like the other bulbs. I should have these in a couple of days.
http://bit.ly/Ma2I2y
I have a pair coming from DDM as well, but they wont be here for a while. Everything DDM ships new is from China, and it takes a while just to get through customs. If these turn out well, I'll just put the other bulbs on the Navigator or sell them on here. We'll see, and I'll keep everyone posted on my results.
Watch the videos at the top.
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
New LED switchbacks arrived today. These are 39 LED's bulbs. All 39 are used for both colors, white and amber. The LEDs literally pull off the switch.
I want to point: The defective 120 LED bulbs both started melting. They were THAT cheap. They obviously were not meant for car applications.
The difference in quality is immediately noticeable. These bulbs are built with higher quality materials, plastics, and LEDs. I gave them a test, and they immediately performed better than the 120LED bulbs. Here are the bulbs and a new video:
39 LED Switchback Bulbs - YouTube
Park Lights Only
I want to point: The defective 120 LED bulbs both started melting. They were THAT cheap. They obviously were not meant for car applications.
The difference in quality is immediately noticeable. These bulbs are built with higher quality materials, plastics, and LEDs. I gave them a test, and they immediately performed better than the 120LED bulbs. Here are the bulbs and a new video:
39 LED Switchback Bulbs - YouTube
Park Lights Only
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
If you're using a mobile device (especially Apple), you may not see it. Follow the link below.
http://youtu.be/k5EiALT3rs0
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
Yep. Very nice in deed.
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
Edited
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
I got the new DDM switchbacks in yesterday (by far the best value at under $11 per bulb). I put them on my Navigator since the car already has these newer replacement bulbs. The truck has clear diffusers in front of each bulb, which makes a huge difference on performance. Brightness is not an issue at all. (Side note: The Naivgator required load resistors, where the LS does not). The new DDM bulbs are non-polarity as well (at least these were... the first set I received wasn't), which means you can install them without worrying about if you have the bulb flipped the right way. The DDM bulbs have an advantage over the two sets I received from the eBay seller. They have no delay, they're instant on bulbs. The other two have about a 1.5 second delay for the park lights to come on, though the signal is (and must be) instant.
If you have any questions on these, please let me know!
If you have any questions on these, please let me know!
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
Blah... it happened again!
The DDM bulbs have the same problem as the cheapy 120LED bulbs! They worked for a little while, then they stopped working altogether. No signal, no park lights. They just go out until you turn the lights off and then back on.
Those replacement 39LED bulbs from the ebay guy are still going strong. I've had no issues with them so far. The car hasn't been driven longer than about 30 minutes at night at one given time, but the signals and parks never stopped working. So far they are my one and only recommendation for switch backs. I may get some for the Navigator because I loved the way the DDM bulbs looked while they worked.
The DDM bulbs have the same problem as the cheapy 120LED bulbs! They worked for a little while, then they stopped working altogether. No signal, no park lights. They just go out until you turn the lights off and then back on.
Those replacement 39LED bulbs from the ebay guy are still going strong. I've had no issues with them so far. The car hasn't been driven longer than about 30 minutes at night at one given time, but the signals and parks never stopped working. So far they are my one and only recommendation for switch backs. I may get some for the Navigator because I loved the way the DDM bulbs looked while they worked.
Elemino
Dedicated LVC Member
It's been over a month with the 39 LED bulbs from ebay and they are still going strong. No problems at all. I sent the DDM bulbs back for a refund.
Switchback instructions
Can you please provide detailed instruction on how to wire the the relays I know you have pics but I still cant follow it. Thanks
Yes, I know this is a repost. But as many people have tried to do this, I believe it deserved its own post.
Switch-Back LED bulbs are signal/park combo bulbs designed to replace the factory incandescent bulbs. When the park lights are on, switchback bulbs light up white. When the signals (or hazards) flash, the bulbs flash amber, and "switch back" to white when they stop flashing.
Well, I gave up on trying to figure out how Ford pulled off the circuit for the front park and signals. I instead turned my attention on how to make it work with the switchbacks.
Here's the necessary circuit to make it work.
You will have to do this for each side, so it means a total of 4 relays to do the front two lights.
*** Note: This is for Gen II. I have no clue if this works on Gen I ***
This is what you should end up with after doing the relay circuit. This is NOT the exact socket from the LS, I'm just using it for reference. Two contacts on one end should switch on positive, and two contacts on the other end should be constant ground.
If you do this, and the white flashes or the amber is on solid, the wires going into the socket are reversed. With a "Type 2" switchback (most common), the white should be solid when park lights are on. When the signal is turned on, the white turns off and the amber flashes solo. (With a type 1 switchback, the white will remain on while the amber flashes when connected properly)
Switchback Install on '03 Lincoln LS - YouTube
Switchbacks on '03 Lincoln LS - YouTube
Can you please provide detailed instruction on how to wire the the relays I know you have pics but I still cant follow it. Thanks
Stopsign002
Dedicated LVC Member
Would you say the bulbs your still using in your LS are 5000K? The ebay ad says 6500K but they appear to be a lower temp then your hids which you said were 6. I hate color matching lights lol (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-3157-...267119?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT#ht_2086wt_1552)