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LED Bulb Replacement - Load Equalizer Questions

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Old Oct 20, 2016 | 02:31 PM
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LED Bulb Replacement - Load Equalizer Questions

Ok after 8 ½ years one of my tail lights went out so I decide to replace them with an LED Bulb instead. I chose the Sylvania Zevo bulbs because they got good reviews and videos online showed good results



A couple sources said that a load equalizer/resistor would not be needed but apparently it is. So my question to you all is has anybody installed a load equalizer on their LED tail lights and if so do you have any recommendations on how to mount it as it states it needs to be attached to something metal for the heat.

Sylvania makes a load equalizer too but the instructions and information are very basic
https://www.osram-americas.com/en-us...Equalizer.aspx

Any tips would be appreciated
Old Oct 20, 2016 | 04:23 PM
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Moved because this is a question not a how-to.

The resistor if needed just needs to be in line somewhere.
Old Oct 21, 2016 | 07:46 AM
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One video


Old Oct 22, 2016 | 11:26 AM
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I would really like to see pictures of those LEDs when your done!

As far as using an inline canbus resistor...

You will have to add it to the wires on each light you are changing, because it is a resistor in parallel it gets hot and is why it has a heatsink attached, when you install it there should be something that allows you to stick it to the metal near your light housing for added heat dissipation.
Old Oct 22, 2016 | 12:06 PM
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The resister, if wanted/needed goes in PARALLEL, not series.

Old Oct 23, 2016 | 08:20 AM
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I installed LED lights too! Albeit a bit more expensive I bet... :)


Last edited by RJ_RS_SS_350; Mar 11, 2017 at 11:55 PM. Reason: added more goodness
Old Oct 23, 2016 | 11:51 AM
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Those have the resistors built into the lights, a great deal!
My spider bulbs have the same or similar set up
Attached Thumbnails LED Bulb Replacement - Load Equalizer Questions-sept-2014-001.jpg  
Old Oct 23, 2016 | 08:37 PM
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I was just looking for mounting tips on where to put the resistor and maybe clarification on what color wires but I figured it out.

Drivers side it was the Yellow (+) and the Black (-) wires used. The brown was the ground I assume. Passenger side it was the Green (+) and the Black (-) with the Brown once again being the ground.

Here is how I mounted.



They look good too. Definitely brighter than the stock bulbs and the instant on of the LED

It is a bad video but here is kind of what the look like on my car.

Attached Thumbnails LED Bulb Replacement - Load Equalizer Questions-resistor.jpg  
Old Oct 23, 2016 | 09:36 PM
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Now to see if I can find some good LED bulbs for the 3rd Brake Light. The bulb number is 921 which is the same as the backup lights but the Zevo brand ones look to be more forward facing lights and may not reflect well in the 3rd brake light.

Anyone got any good recommendations on good LED bulbs in Red that would be good for the third brake light?

It sounds like I may need another load equalizer/resistor as the cruise control seems to be tied to the third brake light. Can anyone confirm?
Old Oct 24, 2016 | 09:58 AM
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I'd recommend "don't change out those third brake light bulbs" the LED bulbs don't play well with the cruise control.



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