DON'T DIY
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LED TAIL-LIGHTS WHY TAKE THE RISK? If you wouldn’t mess with your computer motherboard, why would you consider adding LED tail-lights to a new light commercial vehicle?
V
ehicle manufacturers are de-
Many new vehicle owners consider LED
message-based computer protocol for
signing computerised mod-
tail-lights to be far superior to traditional
electrical wiring) and monitoring systems
ern cars and utility vehicles
bulbs — they last longer, burn brighter
to control, protect and power the vehicle’s
to be as smart and efficient
and use less power to operate, not to men-
electrical circuits. These systems detect
as possible in order to reduce
tion they are better for the environment.
a variation in the electrical current that
fuel consumption and emis-
can result in a ‘fault’ condition showing
sions. This leads to a complex electrical
LED lights are excellent when powered
up on the dashboard and thereby help
circuit and charging system, which means
directly from the battery or in addition
convey problems to the driver so they
that adding accessories to the electrical
to an existing circuit; however, this is not
can be repaired.
system is often fraught with risk.
the case when used to replace OEM taillights.The problem is that modern com-
Due to the low current draw of LED
Many new vehicle owners, however, are
mercial vehicles are akin to a computer on
tail-lights, this fault condition can ap-
still looking to retrofit LED lights for
wheels, which means that post-fitting LED
pear when installed on a circuit not
light commercial vehicles. This is despite
lights — or other electrical items — is a
designed for this type of light. On an
the fact that most modern vehicles do
bit like messing with the motherboard.
indicator light circuit, the fault appears
not have a compatible electrical system
as a fast flash.To overcome it, it is neces-
that allows a direct replacement of the
Manufacturers are making vehicle elec-
sary to fit a load resistor that matches
OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
trics more and more sophisticated us-
the original light globe wattage at the
tail-light assembly.
ing electronic switching, CAN bus (a
same time as the LED lights are fitted.
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FSB AUGUST 2016
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