Re: LED bulb replacements?

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote :
[color=blue]
>
> "Big Mama Bear" <BigMamaBear@No-Spam.noo> wrote in message
> news:Xns98EFE15C820C1Mama@216.196.97.142...[color=green]
>> Given that I'd like to cut down the electrical usage in my car,
>> because of a marginal alternator for the power I'd like to be using,
>> what about replacing some of the incandescent lamps with LED's
>> nowdays? Like tail lights and turn signals, running lights etc? Do
>> they have viable LED replacements for them now, that use less
>> current and put out as bright a light?
>>[/color]
>
>
> I _think_ it would be cheaper to get a larger alternator than to swap
> out the lighting system for LEDs. Don't get me wrong, I like LED
> lighting, especially for turn indicators and brake lights. I just
> think that replacing existing lighting assemblies with the LED-style
> is a costly matter. More costly than buying a high output alternator.
>
>[/color]

But some of you guys here have already told me that this engine wouldn't
keep up with a larger alternator, that I'd need a larger engine, less
gas mileage etc.




--
- Mama Bear

"Big Mama Bear" <BigMamaBear@No-Spam.noo> wrote in message
news:Xns98F13992F0F5Mama@216.196.97.142...[color=blue]
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote :
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Big Mama Bear" <BigMamaBear@No-Spam.noo> wrote in message
>> news:Xns98EFE15C820C1Mama@216.196.97.142...[color=darkred]
>>> Given that I'd like to cut down the electrical usage in my car,
>>> because of a marginal alternator for the power I'd like to be using,
>>> what about replacing some of the incandescent lamps with LED's
>>> nowdays? Like tail lights and turn signals, running lights etc? Do
>>> they have viable LED replacements for them now, that use less
>>> current and put out as bright a light?
>>>[/color]
>>
>>
>> I _think_ it would be cheaper to get a larger alternator than to swap
>> out the lighting system for LEDs. Don't get me wrong, I like LED
>> lighting, especially for turn indicators and brake lights. I just
>> think that replacing existing lighting assemblies with the LED-style
>> is a costly matter. More costly than buying a high output alternator.
>>
>>[/color]
>
> But some of you guys here have already told me that this engine wouldn't
> keep up with a larger alternator, that I'd need a larger engine, less
> gas mileage etc.
>
>[/color]


If your ENGINE can't keep up with a larger alternator, how do you expect it
to keep up with the load you want that exceeds the capacity of the
alternator you already have?

If you plan an electric load that is larger than the alternator, then you
have to either enlarge the alternator or reduce the load. You are not going
to reduce the load by changing the lights. The lights (headlamps excluded)
only draw a few amps. Divide the total wattage of the lamps you will be
changing by 12 to determine that amps you will save.

What load are you planning to add that will cause you to exceed the
alternator's capacity?

This is one of those things where you have to decide between fuel mileage
and comfort -- assuming the new load is a comfort-based load.