Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

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MarkR
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Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by MarkR »

Just an FYI. I saw these Holley 1157 RetroBright Red LED bulbs on Amazon while searching for a different part. Decided to try them. Did so last night.

Keep in mind this is a 12v 55. They were brighter than the standard 1157 tail lights. I did like that. However with the tail lights on, the brake lights were barely brighter than the tail lights. A driver behind me at night would have to be very alert to see the brake lights come on. The brake lights during the day would be fine however not brighter than the 12v standard 1157 brake lights. At 30 bucks I returned them.
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ward 57
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by ward 57 »

Old school reigns again. Mine is an 'authentic' driver. As original as possible and love it 'as is'.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by Rusty57 »

It seems like Holley got the pins/filaments reversed.

A regular 1157 bulb produces 38 lumens on the “taillight” filament. The “brake light/turn signal” filament produces 400 lumens.

Did your turn signals operate the same way as normal when you had the LED bulbs in the taillights? I ask that because sometimes a traditional thermal flasher operates differently due to the lower amperage of the LED bulbs.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by MarkR »

Rusty57 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 7:07 pm It seems like Holley got the pins/filaments reversed.

A regular 1157 bulb produces 38 lumens on the “taillight” filament. The “brake light/turn signal” filament produces 400 lumens.

Did your turn signals operate the same way as normal when you had the LED bulbs in the taillights? I ask that because sometimes a traditional thermal flasher operates differently due to the lower amperage of the LED bulbs.

Thanks Rusty, I had the same thought from observing the operation. Some but not all of the reviews stated the turn signals flashed too rapidly.With both Holleys in place the flash sequence was normal.
My last test was for real operational comparison by having one of each in the lamps. With and without running lights on, the turn signal sequence was normal and at same brake light brightness. With running lights OFF, the brake lights appeared equal both sides. With running lights ON, no brakes, the Holley side was brighter, very close to normal brake light. Because of the Holley being brighter, the Holley brake light was barely noticeable causing an unsafe situation in traffic only at night. The contrast on the regular bulb was much safer.
I decided brighter tail lights safety at night is not worth diminished brake lights.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by ICON 1956 »

ward 57 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:14 pm Old school reigns again. Mine is an 'authentic' driver. As original as possible and love it 'as is'.
DITTO !
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by 55blacktie »

Icon & Ward, do your cars have factory-installed seat belts? Are they riding on bias-ply tires?
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by Jimntempe »

MarkR wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:06 pm
Rusty57 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 7:07 pm It seems like Holley got the pins/filaments reversed.

A regular 1157 bulb produces 38 lumens on the “taillight” filament. The “brake light/turn signal” filament produces 400 lumens.

Did your turn signals operate the same way as normal when you had the LED bulbs in the taillights? I ask that because sometimes a traditional thermal flasher operates differently due to the lower amperage of the LED bulbs.

Thanks Rusty, I had the same thought from observing the operation. Some but not all of the reviews stated the turn signals flashed too rapidly.With both Holleys in place the flash sequence was normal.
My last test was for real operational comparison by having one of each in the lamps. With and without running lights on, the turn signal sequence was normal and at same brake light brightness. With running lights OFF, the brake lights appeared equal both sides. With running lights ON, no brakes, the Holley side was brighter, very close to normal brake light. Because of the Holley being brighter, the Holley brake light was barely noticeable causing an unsafe situation in traffic only at night. The contrast on the regular bulb was much safer.
I decided brighter tail lights safety at night is not worth diminished brake lights.
A lack of significant difference in brightness was common when dual filament LEDs first hit the market. I would guess that Holley had a bunch of those made a few years ago when it was a common problem and is still selling them out of inventory. Suitable dual prong adjustable flashers, if they should be needed, are available on Amazon for about $10. I replaced all my bulbs with LEDs to reduce the amp draw, the somewhat brighter light is a bonus.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by ward 57 »

55blacktie wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 9:47 pm Icon & Ward, do your cars have factory-installed seat belts? Are they riding on bias-ply tires?

I do have the factory seatbelts but I do run radials as it's a driver not a competition show car. Also to save expense on the expensive wide whites that will never get worn out before they age out, I put on standard radials and then added the portawall wide white overlays. Unless you really look hard you would never know the white walls aren't molded in.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by DynoDan’55 »

ICON 1956 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 8:59 pm
ward 57 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 3:14 pm Old school reigns again. Mine is an 'authentic' driver. As original as possible and love it 'as is'.
DITTO !
While I refuse to convert to 12 volts, I AM actually considering how much brighter LED headlights might make driving more safe at night. I’m a night owl, and my area is crowded with deer (who seemingly enjoy dashing across the road just as I approach). I recently purchased 6V LED dash bulbs online that worked out great, so, much brighter LED headlights are feasible & might use even less juice than the OEM seal beams (?). Though likely to be un-original looking, I would bite that bullet, as I can barely see the road surface at twilight now (as my cataracts progress), let alone deer lurking at the shoulder.
CASCO doesn’t carry an LED 6V kit. I wonder if any other source exists?
.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by ward 57 »

That's a tough one. My dad always had a spotlight mounted on the left front pillar driving in the mountains of Montana. If you shine it in their eyes they freeze. Jumping out willy nilly is another story. Out of nowhere they come.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by ICON 1956 »

55blacktie wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 9:47 pm Icon & Ward, do your cars have factory-installed seat belts? Are they riding on bias-ply tires?
My car came with Coker radial tires/ and also factory installed seat belts.
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by Rusty57 »

DynoDan'55,

My first classic car was a '37 with a 6 volt negative ground system. It had a projector type bulb and reflector assembly when it came from the factory but had been converted to a 6 volt sealed beam. The lighting was definitely better than stock but still marginal. Plus they drew more current than the generator could provide.

I was never able to find a suitable 6 volt LED replacement while I owned the car. The people who had tried an LED bulb in the reflector housing were not happy with the results. The focal point of the LED bulb did not match the shape of the reflector.

I just did a quick search and found this as an idea. You might also check in the antique tractor community.

https://www.octanelighting.com/7-stock- ... rSPOGc1NfM

Now for a really stupid question. Are LED bulbs polarity sensitive?
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Re: Holley 1157 RetroBright LED’s

Post by Joe Johnston »

Are LED bulbs polarity sensitive?
Yes - some are.
PLEASE invest a few bucks and buy all the shop manuals for your car. Definitely will save you much time and be an education.

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