Nissan LEAF Light Bulb Mods: LEDs Anyone?

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lion said:
Can you please show/link me which bulbs you got for the fog lights?

Also, would love to know how many bulbs of what kind you used for the other interior lighting, or did you use those eBay LEDs for all interior lighting and the license plate? Thanks for sharing the link!

On my 2012 the "center" dome light is a 28mm "festoon" bulb, and I substituted this (Ice white, not warm white):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111102170177?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My interior lights between the Visor are a pair of W5W wedge bulbs, and I used these (also Ice white):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281063005902?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They are not "backup light" brightness (7 watt), but approximate the bulbs that were in there (2 watt. Maybe a little brighter than stock)

My License plate lights are W5W low power, and I substituted these (now they are 6000K :D ):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230777571088?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They are not overwhelming, and do a nice job.

Fog Lights:
I did my fog lights a long time ago, but they were something like 102 SMD H11 LED bulbs, and it was really tricky to get them in there.
(Lots of foul language and skinned knuckles. Really tight.)
Not sure that the CREE focused 7 watt LED might not be a better choice now, but they were not available "back then".
I used something that "looked" exactly like this. This is a new listing, and is NOT the exact listing I used:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2-X-Car-H11-102-SMD-LED-Fog-Parking-Head-Light-Lamp-Bulb-12V-White-/360708859181?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fbec652d&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck
 
Thanks for posting these links!

I bought these for my fog lights: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370773252847" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and I bought the dome, trunk and license plate lights like you suggested but I did not buy the front dome lights because I think the 2013 SL already has LEDs.




KillaWhat said:
lion said:
Can you please show/link me which bulbs you got for the fog lights?

Also, would love to know how many bulbs of what kind you used for the other interior lighting, or did you use those eBay LEDs for all interior lighting and the license plate? Thanks for sharing the link!

On my 2012 the "center" dome light is a 28mm "festoon" bulb, and I substituted this (Ice white, not warm white):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111102170177?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My interior lights between the Visor are a pair of W5W wedge bulbs, and I used these (also Ice white):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281063005902?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They are not "backup light" brightness (7 watt), but approximate the bulbs that were in there (2 watt. Maybe a little brighter than stock)

My License plate lights are W5W low power, and I substituted these (now they are 6000K :D ):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230777571088?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They are not overwhelming, and do a nice job.

Fog Lights:
I did my fog lights a long time ago, but they were something like 102 SMD H11 LED bulbs, and it was really tricky to get them in there.
(Lots of foul language and skinned knuckles. Really tight.)
Not sure that the CREE focused 7 watt LED might not be a better choice now, but they were not available "back then".
I used something that "looked" exactly like this. This is a new listing, and is NOT the exact listing I used:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2-X-Car-H11-102-SMD-LED-Fog-Parking-Head-Light-Lamp-Bulb-12V-White-/360708859181?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fbec652d&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck
 
How did you change the map lights? I thought they were soldered to the board? Do you have a document for this?
 
Reading the thread, the consensus appears to be that there is not a good LED replacement for the hi-beams. Anyone care to differ?

The reason I ask is that daylight running lights are mandatory here and Nissan Smyrna seems to have implemented them by illuminating the hi-beams at reduced intensity. (Apparently, dedicated DRLs are required in Europe, so Sunderland must have another solution.)

It just doesn't seem right to have DRLs consuming more energy than (LED) low-beams. I'm wondering if I would be better off having the low-beams on at all times.


From wiki,

Canada's proposed DRL regulation was essentially similar to regulations in place in Scandinavia, with an axial luminous intensity limit of 1,500 candela, but automakers claimed it was too expensive to add a new front lighting device, and would increase warranty costs (by dint of increased bulb replacements) to run the low beams

This "increased warranty costs due to bulb replacement" excuse shouldn't be valid when the low-beams are LED, right?
 
Berlino said:
Reading the thread, the consensus appears to be that there is not a good LED replacement for the hi-beams. Anyone care to differ?

The reason I ask is that daylight running lights are mandatory here and Nissan Smyrna seems to have implemented them by illuminating the hi-beams at reduced intensity. (Apparently, dedicated DRLs are required in Europe, so Sunderland must have another solution.)

It just doesn't seem right to have DRLs consuming more energy than (LED) low-beams. I'm wondering if I would be better off having the low-beams on at all times.


From wiki,

Canada's proposed DRL regulation was essentially similar to regulations in place in Scandinavia, with an axial luminous intensity limit of 1,500 candela, but automakers claimed it was too expensive to add a new front lighting device, and would increase warranty costs (by dint of increased bulb replacements) to run the low beams

This "increased warranty costs due to bulb replacement" excuse shouldn't be valid when the low-beams are LED, right?
I've not read of any good replacements for the hi-beams. A few have done HID replacements, but the reflectors aren't right for them, so other than color improvement, not a lot better.
Some speculate the hi-beam color is really poor due to low voltage that the LEAF runs.
There are some better color non-HID hi-beam bulbs, but I haven't changed mine yet.
I run the low beam LEDs all the time because I consider having DRLs safer, and is the simplest way to do that.
Very little impact on range.
First I've heard of a warranty concern on use of low beam LEDs as DRLs.
Seems unlikely it could ever impact Nissan, even for the people that bought an extended warranty.
 
I am another who just turns on the low beams instead of installing DRLs. The next car I buy will have proper DRLs (and a battery pack with 30kWh or greater usable capacity, and seats that don't shock me)!
 
DeaneG said:
I am another who just turns on the low beams instead of installing DRLs. The next car I buy will have proper DRLs (and a battery pack with 30kWh or greater usable capacity, and seats that don't shock me)!
+1. But by then I'll be so accustomed to the electric shock from the seats that I'll think something is wrong with my second electric car! ;) ;)
 
TimLee said:
DeaneG said:
I am another who just turns on the low beams instead of installing DRLs. The next car I buy will have proper DRLs (and a battery pack with 30kWh or greater usable capacity, and seats that don't shock me)!
+1. But by then I'll be so accustomed to the electric shock from the seats that I'll think something is wrong with my second electric car! ;) ;)

I also run the Low Beams and LED Fog lights all the time as DRL's.
I just set it to auto, and twist the fog lights on, and they are always on?!
 
I've read all 26 pages of this post... My owners manual includes a small illustration of how to replace the dome light, but not the map lights. Many of you seem to have replaced the map lights. How do I get into that assembly? It looks light the entire thing (including the sunglasses holder) needs to come down from the roof. Is there a document anywhere that shows how to do this without breaking the little plastic clips that keep it all in place?
 
The map lights pry off from the front edge. Just insert a small screwdriver in there carefully and you can pop it off. Note that this is for a 2011 and 2012 only; I don't know if the 2013 is the same...

maskott said:
I've read all 26 pages of this post... My owners manual includes a small illustration of how to replace the dome light, but not the map lights. Many of you seem to have replaced the map lights. How do I get into that assembly? It looks light the entire thing (including the sunglasses holder) needs to come down from the roof. Is there a document anywhere that shows how to do this without breaking the little plastic clips that keep it all in place?
 
When you say it prys off from the front edge, do you mean the entire unit that the map lights are in (including the sunglasses holder)? I've tried a small screwdriver, and a putty knife. I can get my fingers between the headliner and the map light unit, but I can't find any tabs to release it.

Image of my map light unit:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Hql-3drjfRVVpOZFcwOGxDaE0/edit?usp=sharing

Help! I really want to replace my map lights without messing up my lease!

Thanks.
 
I'm thinking that the map light module is new on the 2013, or at least the SV. In that image I posted, the bright area is glare, not a lens cover/diffuser. The map lights themselves have little glass marble looking lenses, but they are the size of a pencil eraser. I've now seen a few more photos in other posts that lead me to think the 2011 & 12 models have a different unit. Anyone with a 2013 gotten into the map lights yet?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Hql-3drjfRVVpOZFcwOGxDaE0/edit?usp=sharing
 
Yes, I have the 2013 and the map lights are LED from the factory.
They appear to be 10mm LEDs and not lensed but I can't be sure unless I pull the unit out.
I have changed out all Incan lighting in my 2013 and I am very happy with the results.
 
I did the license plate (both), dome, and cargo light today.

Will try to get a before and after pic up. I took the cargo before and after. The license plate lights were a tight fit, the LEDs look like they are touching inside the lens so I hope it doesn't break them but they all look nice, appear brighter and of course save a tiny bit of power. :) They've got to be under 5W...it adds up!

I think I will do the parking lights next, the W5Ws. That would be 30W worth I've swapped...yeah I know it's not much but they are nicer and brighter, mainly.

Of note: they are polarity sensitive, which makes sense for an LED but I wasn't expecting it so flip it around before you think you have a bad light.

Pics in my post: http://rcbullock.blogspot.com/2014/01/nissan-leaf-led-lights-before-and-after.html
 
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