Super Bright LEDs ST vs ST-HD LED taillamps

[electromage]

I'm disappointed with the off-axis performance of the ST series, can anyone show me some comparitive data between them and the new ST-HB series? The ST-HB appears to use fewer, high power LEDs with larger reflectors.

 

[Alaric Darconville]

They refer to these as "DOT Approved"; a good clue they do not meet FVMSS 108 requirements as the DOT does not "approve" anything. They also sell those LED drop-ins, another clue they don't sell anything you want on the exterior of your car.

 

[Alaric Darconville]

What vehicle is this for? Is this for the '90 XJ? Truck-Lite has some fine options for the other Jeeps which would preserve the stock appearance, but you could also get the 45 Series from Truck-Lite, since your linked items would have also not kept the stock appearance.

 

[-Virgil-]

Whoops, I might have removed the OP's links too quickly -- sorry about that. Still, while the linked lamps are not certainly noncompliant, they are probably not legally compliant. I base this not only on the fact that most of SuperBright's automotive products are illegal and unsafe, but also on my experience with lamps that appear to be identical to the linked ones, sold under at least five (now six) different brands, all sourced out of the same no-name, disreputable offshore factory. As Alaric Darconville says, there is no such thing as a "DOT approved" vehicle lighting device, and the phrase is a pretty reliable red flag when it appears in promotional material. Reputable manufacturers do not use it because it does not mean anything, but if you don't know that it certainly sounds reassuring, doesn't it!

It's harder to make a lamp like this than it might seem. One of the mandatory tests that's tough for even the reputable-name products to pass is durability of light output with prolonged use. This test simulates the kind of use lamps get when you're in traffic, using the brakes and turn signals a lot. Even the best lamps tend to drop at least 10% of their output in the 10-minute test, more than that in the 30-minute test. Reputable companies engineer their lamps to continue performing safely and legally even at elevated operating temperatures and prolonged use.

There are lots of good options in LED 4" round lamp units as well as the other standard round, oblong, and rectangular sizes. There's no need or reason to settle for off-brand junk. You also don't have to spend a lot of money, either. I like these (red-lens version also available; they also come in yellow with clear or yellow lens, and in other shapes/sizes).

 

[Alaric Darconville]

There are lots of good options in LED 4" round lamp units as well as the other standard round, oblong, and rectangular sizes. There's no need or reason to settle for off-brand junk. You also don't have to spend a lot of money, either. I like these (red-lens version also available; they also come in yellow with clear or yellow lens, and in other shapes/sizes).

Also, remember that if you're removing lamps that have rear retroreflectors, and your vehicle does not have compliant retroreflectors elsewhere (like in the bumper or on panels near where the lamps go), you'll need to add them.

 

[electromage]

These would be for the Jeep, yes. I've been doing more research on the subject and understand that "DOT Approved" in itself means nothing, but the lamps are stamped DOT and SAE, so I figured they (the retailer) saw that and assumed it meant something it doesn't. The lights themselves look as bright on-axis and off-axis as what the USPS trucks are running, but when I'm standing to the side, they don't really grab my attention, and I'd like to have some that do.

Do these look legit? I'm happy to replace them with something legal and safe, I thought that's what I had but now I'm not so sure 🙁

I'm using these as side turn signals, I don't know if they need to be rated the same, since they are not legally required, but correct me if that's wrong.

 

[-Virgil-]

I can't say I'm impressed with the water ingress into your side turn signals. Who made them? I don't see a brand. Also a little tough to tell what the function code is. Does it say "SAE E"? If so, then it's at least pretending to be designed as a side turn signal repeater for a vehicle more than 12 meters long ("E2" means for vehicles less than 12m long).

The basic problem here is that it's all based on self-certification. Anyone can include SAE codes in the mould tooling for their lens. There's no legal requirement for any markings on lamps other than headlamps, and you have no way of knowing what amount of R&D and testing (if any) went into the maker's decision to apply those markings to the device. That, together with the lousy objective performance of most off-brand lamps, is why it's best to stick to name-brand units. Practically speaking, that means Peterson, Grote, Truck-Lite, or Signal-State, in no particular order of preference (that said, I really like the Truck-Lite single-diode stop/tail/turn lamps. The red ones comply with US regulations (this is not a guess on my part), though they are not marked as such because they are generally only marketed outside North America -- they have ECE type approval marks, but not the SAE markings. lateral visibility angle range is probably the best of any LED 4" round lamp I can think of. No idea how you'd get hold of them; a Google search comes up empty for me and you can't have mine! ;-)

Another unit with good side-on visibility is the Grote Select item, also available in yellow. The FedEx trucks use these 36-diode units from Peterson.

And as I say, the Signal-Stat items I linked previously are pretty good from the side, too.

 

[electromage]

I can't say I'm impressed with the water ingress into your side turn signals. Who made them? I don't see a brand. Also a little tough to tell what the function code is. Does it say "SAE E"? If so, then it's at least pretending to be designed as a side turn signal repeater for a vehicle more than 12 meters long ("E2" means for vehicles less than 12m long).

The basic problem here is that it's all based on self-certification. Anyone can include SAE codes in the mould tooling for their lens. There's no legal requirement for any markings on lamps other than headlamps, and you have no way of knowing what amount of R&D and testing (if any) went into the maker's decision to apply those markings to the device. That, together with the lousy objective performance of most off-brand lamps, is why it's best to stick to name-brand units. Practically speaking, that means Peterson, Grote, Truck-Lite, or Signal-State, in no particular order of preference (that said, I really like the Truck-Lite single-diode stop/tail/turn lamps. The red ones comply with US regulations (this is not a guess on my part), though they are not marked as such because they are generally only marketed outside North America -- they have ECE type approval marks, but not the SAE markings. lateral visibility angle range is probably the best of any LED 4" round lamp I can think of. No idea how you'd get hold of them; a Google search comes up empty for me and you can't have mine! ;-)

Another unit with good side-on visibility is the Grote Select item, also available in yellow. The FedEx trucks use these 36-diode units from Peterson.

And as I say, the Signal-Stat items I linked previously are pretty good from the side, too.

The water ingress is limited to the mounting ears, the central part where the board/LEDs are is completely sealed, and the board itself is potted in clear epoxy. For whatever reason, there are small holes on the inside that allow water in to the sides.

The code on the side lamps reads "SAE P2PC 04 DOT 2​". I don't know who made them, but they appear well made. They have a very even distribution over a wide angle. Three diodes on each side, and eight on the face shining through the fluted lens. The board looks good, clean traces, even solder distribution.

The TruckLite 24-LED clear lens lamps look good. The original taillights had red and yellow lenses, is that a legal requirement or just a style thing? It seems like with LEDs being "natively" red and yellow, it would make sense to use clear lenses, as there's nothing to filter out.

 

[-Virgil-]

The code on the side lamps reads "SAE P2PC

Then they are not intended as side turn signals. They're meant as marker and clearance lights.

The TruckLite 24-LED clear lens lamps look good. The original taillights had red and yellow lenses, is that a legal requirement

No, it is not.

 

[electromage]

So if they're not intended as turn signals, does that mean that I should not use them, even if they are not required? Would it be wise to replace them with something like this?