LED lamp.. smoking!!

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:59 pm

Just fitted the 9 LED's lamps in the sidelights, much brighter, and with no problem.

I bought two sets as they are the same fitting, as the rear license plate LED's I've already fitted, when I tried to replace the 4 LED's with the 9's to get even more light onto the road below to aid reversing at night, The problem is that the socket started to smoke,

it was live at the time of fitting.

I used the LED that started the smoking, in a sidelight fitting, and it works ok.

That was done whilst live.

Could it be due to having one 4 LED lamp lit whilst fitting a 9 LED causing the smoke/large draw of current?
The sad thing is, I should know having an HND in Electrical and Electronic engineering, but that was in the late 80's, early 90's, ( when a 386 computer was king!) and I killed a few brain cells since then.

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:14 am

I wonder whether the pins of the LED caused a short of some kind and the wiring started to complain.

Possibly also a tiny whisker of solder on the LED internal pcb bridging two tracks. It melted when the voltage was applied then cleared.

Some LED bulbs may be polarity +/- conscious and it was in the wrong way round at first.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:37 am

could be something like that

I did try both ways, as they are polarised, being diodes. If they are inserted the wrong way they just don't work, so you have a 50/50 chance of getting it right first time, but never seems to work first time for me

Might try both at the same time, with the lights switched off, and me keeping an eye on them, while someone else switches the lights back on

Don't know yet if the cover for the lights will go back on with these larger lamps.

After the smoking, I put the 4 LED lamp straight back in, and it works fine.

I'm off now to check that I have FIRE and theft cover on the insurance

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:23 pm

Tried again today, It does not like it

Could be a bad connection, as they wobble in the fitting? I just would not of thought it draws enough current to make it smoke.

So now I've replace the 4 LED's in the front interior lights for the 9 LED's, and they are working ok.

You just need

on now.

Where can I stick my spare 4's? (answers not to include body cavities)

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:35 pm

I think the regulation still is in effect that leds are illegal in the fornt but not in the rear, you should check with your local mot station to be sure. Happy motoring.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:51 pm

Why are LEDs specifically "illegal"?

All I thought the RTA said was "not more than 5 watts" to avoid scaring the horses or something?

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:52 am

David Edwards wrote:I think the regulation still is in effect that leds are illegal in the fornt but not in the rear, you should check with your local mot station to be sure. Happy motoring.

Oops did not know that