Cargo LED replacement

[OBnube]

Se7enLC, Thanks for the detailed response. If the temps come out OK I'm in.

[SubeRupner]

Originally Posted by AltaBrig

Anyone know what are the replacements for the center dome and two front lights? Same bulb/adapter or a different one for the middle and the fronts? I would like to go all LED in the cabin if these LEDs don't run hot.

The Putco kit (p/n 980721) contains all 4 LEDs. You got me curious about the temps, so I turned on the center and cargo lights and left them on for about 15 minutes.

Using a Fluke 62 Mini IR Thermometer with a brand new battery to measure temp, the garage surface temps were 67-69 degrees F. Random surfaces in the OB were 74-76. The highest temp was for the center light while on at 98.0 F The cargo was around 94. Temps dropped off quickly with distance and the edges of the lens were mid 80s or less.

They don't feel hot, just warm to warmer, and the Fluke backs that up. I don't know how they'll last, but I'm feeling better about taking the leap to LEDs. Those backup lights are calling me...

(I don't work for or have any financial or other interest in Putco. I read about them on this website and am reporting back)

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by Scorched

The price is definitely right for this particular mod, but the color is not. 12000K? No thanks batman...

Se7enLC, is the color really white? Or is it really blued out?...

It's REALLY white. Not blue at all.

Like the LED mods for heat, power, and longevity. Don't really like the soft glow of the stock hatch light. If you need a light back there, it probably ain't for the mood.

Exactly. The light is only on when I have the rear hatch open, and I want to see EVERYTHING back there as well as possible. I was basically shopping to get as much light as I could get for under 13W

Nice price on the link. When are auto manufacturers going to do away with incandescent lights in the interior? Cost should be down to make them affordable for the rear light assemblies on most vehicles IMO.

Especially if you consider that a large portion of the cost is stepping down from 12V. If car makers actually switch to LEDs throughout, they could do all the LED driving in one place, and just have simple LED bulb assemblies at all the fixtures.

Just the one issue with the solder on an adapter would make me wonder about the wiring popping off. My solder skills are shite.

It takes a long time to ship, but once I get the replacement for this broken one, I'll be able to tell if it was a one-off failure or a design problem.

Anyone know what are the replacements for the center dome and two front lights? Same bulb/adapter or a different one for the middle and the fronts? I would like to go all LED in the cabin if these LEDs don't run hot.

The center dome and map lights are "festoon" style. The front two are both 5W and the dome is 8W, IIRC. I bought some bulbs for those spots as well, but they haven't arrived yet, so I didn't review them. I intentionally downsized the map light to be only 0.5W so that it wouldn't kill a battery if left on accidentally. Once I get those bulbs I'll try them out and review them as well.

The Putco kit (p/n 980721) contains all 4 LEDs. You got me curious about the temps, so I turned on the center and cargo lights and left them on for about 15 minutes.

So are those temps with the LEDs, or the stock bulbs, then? Did you take the measurements with the covers on or off? I only have a cheap harbour freight thermometer, but I'm sure it'll be accurate enough for this.

[SubeRupner]

Originally Posted by Se7enLC

So are those temps with the LEDs, or the stock bulbs, then? Did you take the measurements with the covers on or off? I only have a cheap harbour freight thermometer, but I'm sure it'll be accurate enough for this.

The temps are for the Putco LEDs with the lens/covers left on. I tried measurements holding the thermometer at different lengths from the fixtures. The highest measure temp was from about an inch away directly at the diodes, with them on and immediately after turning them off. These LEDs didn't seem to add much heat, so I'm guessing their current draw is also fairly low compared to the factory incandescent bulbs. Best of both worlds: lots of light with little current draw or heat generated.

I should have also measured the temps before I swapped the old for the new LEDs, but didn't think of it and didn't know it might be an issue. The Fluke meter I'm using was their entry level model a few years ago, but seems to be reasonably accurate, especially for stuff like this.

If anything, the LEDs for the lamp lights in front might be too bright for my eyes and I leave them off. I'll have to remember to close one eye when I turn them on so as not to temporarily lose all night vision. Impressive. They light up the center and cargo areas really well.

[avk]

I used a Sylvania/Osram LED bulb in the same dome light fixture, on Tribeca. Advance Auto has them for $10. The festoon replacements for the map and center dome lights are Philips, found them on Amazon.
I just wanted to have products properly designed and tested for automotive use.

[AltaBrig]

Thanks for the great info OP et al. Looking forward to reading/seeing how the other 3 LED lights work out. Hope you get a chance to post a couple more pics after the install. I'll wait to see before buying the set.

[Se7enLC]

Just tested out some temps. It's maybe 50F outside right now. I left the light on for 10 minutes or so and got the temp of the cargo light up to 80F. Barely feels warm to the touch if at all. I call it a win!

[mark211]

I have replaced all the interior/map lights and cargo and doors with putco's ,big difference. I can open my driver side door and its like a led flashlight. One thing is make sure what leds you need before ordering them , my maps lights where one size but made several checks before ordering.

[Se7enLC]

I just got the Map and Dome LEDs in the mail. They seem to work great! Advertised as being 0.5W and 65Lumen and 6500K

SV85 31mm 0.5W 6500K 65LM 6-SMD LED White Lights for Car (Pair / 12V) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Drivers side is the LED, Passenger is the stock bulb.

The bulb might be a little longer than the stock bulb. It was easy to fit it into the map light, but the dome light it was a little tighter. The metal arms may have bent a little to get it in, but it fits.

[avk]

I would still suggest brand-name products. They do fit properly.