The 921 LED Reverse Light Bulb Study

What about amperage draw? How fast will these kill a battery?

 

Sorry for the long overdue response, took the family on vacation and unplugged.

An running vehicle should produce roughly 13.8~14.5v from the alternator, depending on the vehicle and the health of the charging system. (note this is more than the 12v battery operation while the vehicle is off).

Using 14v as a comparison line:

Stock wattage is 18w per bulb, 36w for the circuit
36w/14v=2.57Amps

Gy6.35 HIRs are 30w per bulb, 60w for the circuit
60w/14v=4.29Amps

If you were to use the halogen Gy6.35 50w halogen bulbs to match the HIR output (not recommended)
100w/14v=7.14Amps

Battery life depends on the battery capacity and charge level.

Edit: technically the bulbs won't see the alternator output voltage, but you get the idea.

 

I was incorrect about this statement. The JDMs do look quite similar to DeAutoKeys, and they have the same number of LEDs on the side but they are oriented differently. The LEDs are not the same.

 

Thank you for your efforts. I have read most of this, But the issue for me is that I have difficulty seeing what is to the sides behind me. I would like to find a bulb that throws more light in a wider pattern, straight back I see plenty, but to the sides, I have had some close calls because I didn't see something on my sides, like when I'm turning a corner backward. Do any of the bulbs help spread the light better than others?

 

Doooh.... as my 11 yr old grandson would say (he's a Simpsons fanatic) I just read your GY6.35 article and can't wait to try the 30/35 wt upgrades!

 

Bingo. Much improved side lighting with that mod.

 

After reading this thread, I bought and installed the DeAuto LEDs about 9 months ago. They have put out all the light I need for backing up. On Tuesday, I noticed that the right reverse light was out. I figured it was probably a bad connection in the socket. I pulled the bulb, and reinserted it. It still didn't work. I pulled it out, flipped it 180 degrees and reinserted it. It worked, but the 3 rearward facing chips were out. After flipping it back and forth, I confirmed that it worked 1 way, but not the other way, and the 3 chips were still out. Then I looked at the other reverse light. It appeared that the 3 rearward facing chips were out. I pulled the socket out of the housing and confirmed that they were definitely out. I flipped the bulb 180 degrees and it works both ways, but the 3 rearward facing chips are out. By now, it's 7:00PM. I looked at their website and saw that they have a lifetime waranty. I sent DeAuto an email. 8 minutes later I received a reply. after a few emails back and forth, they agreed to send me 3 replacement bulbs. I explained that I only purchased 2. They sent me an extra for my trouble. They didn't even want the failed bulbs back. I received the replacement bulbs on Saturday. Although these bulbs are expensive at $50/pair, their customer service is outstanding and they promptly take care of warranty issues. The guy didn't come right out and say that they had problems and changed the design, but he did say they would have different resistors, but would be the same brightness. Comparing the bulbs, the only visual difference I can see is that the aluminum heatsink is a different shape and some of the printing on the circuit board is different.

That's probably the best customer service I have had from any company I have ever bought anything from.

 

That's good to know. Thanks for sharing!

 

Wish I would have read this great review before spending $51.00 for a set backup lights that are not the best....The Lesions I Learn.....

 

Found them in Slovenia for $7.29 plus tax: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Slamnikarska+cesta+4,+1230+Domžale,+Slovenia/@46.1385502,14.5986162,20z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47653415835b153f:0xf285d8845949cb81!8m2!3d46.1385502!4d14.5988898

Now should I trust Posta Slovenije for $9.84 or go with the old trusted UPS for 4X as much?

https://www.svetila.com/en/hsg-qt-j...ule-18161-12v-30w-ir-gy635-8727900203547.html

Edit: also found the 35w version if anyone is still looking:

https://www.bulbamerica.com/product...35w-12v-gy6-35-base-halogen-halostar-pro-bulb

 

That is a really cheap price for the HIRs.

You can get them off Amazon as well:
Sylvania 58896 - 35BT4Q/IR/OSRAM 12V
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X41XY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_azeSAbPE6SSND

 

Hey ya’ll. There is some really awesome information here. To those who have taken the time do all of this research, thank you.

I just installed a cheap(er) LED kit from Amazon:
05-15 Toyota Tacoma LED Package Interior + Tag + Reverse Lights (9 pieces)

$18 Check it Auto LED Light Kit for 05-15 Toyota Tacoma Interior Reverse Package 9pc

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FW1JP9O/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_eZ49Ab0H7Z92A

I bought it mainly for the interior/license plate lights, but saw they included the reverse as well and decided to give them a whirl. Installed one and compared with stock in overcast afternoon sky and stock looked brighter and had more glare looking directly in.

For the simple plug and play solution, it seems as the DeAutoKey bulbs are the brightest. However, for those who cannot justify $50 for reverse lights, which is the brightest circa $20 bulbs? The Flashwolves?

Thanks in advance.

 

Those reverse LEDs included in the kit are not going to put out much. For many reasons, LEDs will look much brighter to the human eye when looking at the light source, though they may put out less light. A much better test is to look at how much light they output. In other words, stand in the bed and look at how they project the light at night. I think you'll find that the OEM bulbs do a better job in your case. The blade style design of the Flashwolves and DeAutoKey does a good job in the reverse reflector providing an even reverse beam, but the Flashwolves are actually not any brighter than stock. It is nearly the same output as stock, just whiter light. The many small LED chips of the Flashwolves are an older lower power design. More modern LEDs use fewer, larger, higher power chips.

You might consider JDM ASTARs:

$18 JDM ASTAR Super Bright Error Free 921 912 3035 Chips White LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights

https://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Ex...526174248&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=921+led&psc=1

These use the same blade design and and are a more modern LED with fewer larger chips. I did not test them, but I would not expect them to be up to the DeAutoKey LED performance. The JDM marketing claims on output are complete BS. And they are only warrantied for a year vs lifetime of DeAutoKeys.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

The reverse lights in that link are not as bright as stock halogens, as I stated. I am familiar with light as I am a professional photographer, but I appreciate the explanation nonetheless.

Thanks for the recommendation on the JDM. I suppose they would be worth a shot considering their cheap price. If they fail I will shell out the cash for the DeAutoKey bulbs.

I read the headlight thread you created (again, much appreciated) and just installed the Philips Xtreme +130 bulbs. Currently awaiting darkness...

Is there a term for people who crave light? Luxophile? Photomaniac?

 

Curious to see if you have any recommendations for a bed lighting solution?

 

My apologies, I had that backward. Enjoy the headlight bulbs, they have great low beams for stock wattage.

Hmm. I feel like "phile" is usually along the lines of refined knowledge of something, and "maniac" is just pure obsession. I need both.

 

That one, I struggle with. I'm not a fan of the below the rail bed lights. Work lighting in the bed should really be from a higher elevation to see what you are doing, not just lighting the bed and the brake light is the obvious logical place. If the bed is loaded, chances are the rail bed lights won't do much good.

Mesojdm made a prototype 3rd brake light that was all LED with brake in the center and work lights on the side. I tried out the prototype but the housing it was put in, while supposed to fit a Tacoma, did not fit. I don't think he made any more after that for the 2nd gen.

I periodically think about this, as I think it is the best solution I've seen (I want it to look stock). But then I question how bad I really need them.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/third-brake-light-cargo-light-pics.76651/

There is a product that mounts and aluminum sandwich plate in-between the 3rd brake light and the cab which has tabs for mounting lights. But I don't like how the lights would then be so bulky and stick out so much, clearly looking tacked on. Also possibly in the way for carrying anything next to the cab.
Edit here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/better-bed-lights.396909/

 

I agree that a higher mounted light would be more practical and serve more purpose than the LED strip under-the-rail lighting. I do a lot of camping and would really benefit from a movable light that could be rotated to shine outside of the cargo box.

The second link seems like a good start on a potentially great idea. If it was slimmed down a tad and refined with thinner led pods it would look more attractive IMO.

However, neither would work for my needs as my problem is compounded with the Softopper over the bed. My current fix is a cheap collapsible LED solar/battery lantern that hangs off a carabiner from the support frame of the Softopper.

I may just be forced to go with the LED strip below the bed railing.

 

I like the 3rd brake light LED mount at first, but the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. Functional yes, aesthetics not so much IMO.

Well that makes way more complicated with a soft topper, assuming it isn't on full time.

For those hanging lanterns I got one of these KC units this winter to try camping this year. Pretty slick little unit:
http://www.kchilites.com/kc-led-power-lantern-9928.html

 

Getting back to reverse lights, I just searched Amazon for the JDM bulbs and these showed up under them:

JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright 2000 Lumens 360-Degree Shine 921 912 90-EX Chipsets LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights, Xenon White

$15 JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright 2000 Lumens 360-Degree Shine 921 912 90-EX Chipsets LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights, Xenon White

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GGK6QDW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5u-9AbFS5HCJE

Interesting design. I wonder how they perform..