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Need to replace Switchbacks, any suggestions?


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So, one of my (2 years old) switchbacks is starting to go. The amber lights are extremely weak and barely visible. They are the predecessor of these: http://www.vleds.com/5k-type-2-dual-color-changing-white-amber-switchback-42-high-power-led-turn-signal-bulbs-3157-4157-1-pair.html

These almost look identical to mine (again, originally purchased from V-LED, 2 years ago): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050OTACA

No way I am paying $80 for replacements (I think mine were $40 back in the day). Anyone have suggestions for new ones?

I am looking at these replacement options at the moment:

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/3157-High-Power-Switchback-LED-Bulbs-p/20-315.htm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191094327988

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131211337857

From what I have read, the triton's (gen 2, V3) are still not working with Ford's (despite the adapter they offer).

What are you guys currently using and are you satisfied? I'd really like to keep the Type 2 functionality.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just FYI. Decided upon these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171377998910

Just installed them and they work really well! They're even brighter than the VLEDs that I replaced. My only concern is the projection out of the front and getting flashed, but, I think the plastic "EDGE" part of the headlamp that is in front of them disburses the light well. These really are pretty damn bright!

I'll have a look at them in more detail when I am out driving this evening.

Truth be told, I would really have liked to grab these (http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/led-bulbs/listed-by-vehicle/ford/edge/2011-2013-ford-edge-front-turn-signal-leds-pair.html), but didn't notice them until yesterday (I had already ordered the eBay ones). Diode Dynamics looks like they have some great LED bulbs. I may want to give their 921 (reverse) bulbs a try!

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Looking forward to some pics/vids of your new switchbacks! As far as the reverse bulbs, Dingo's are still the hardest to beat. BUT I finally found a cheapo LED pair http://www.ebay.com/itm/231207767969?item=231207767969 that actually lights up the area behind the Edge well enough to see :) I wouldn't count on the lumen rating though, as with any of these LED products.

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Let me see if I can get a spot at the park late night to grab the pics. They are not DINGO bright, but I notice them even in the daytime.

 

Yeah, I'd like to think 1400, but whenever they say that, I divide by 3 (just because I'm an old Ethernet guy) to get a more reasonable number :)

 

EDIT: No pitch black areas nearby; we have plentiful street lighting plus the moon is definitely present! Even so, obviously not like broad daylight back there.

 

Looking at view behind vehicle, no lights

Before 1

Looking at rear of vehicle, no lights

Before 2

Looking at view behind vehicle, reverse on

After 1

Looking at rear of vehicle, reverse on

After 2

Reference for comparison:
20121109_181049.jpg
Edited by WWWPerfA_ZN0W
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Looking forward to some pics/vids of your new switchbacks! As far as the reverse bulbs, Dingo's are still the hardest to beat. BUT I finally found a cheapo LED pair http://www.ebay.com/itm/231207767969?item=231207767969 that actually lights up the area behind the Edge well enough to see :) I wouldn't count on the lumen rating though, as with any of these LED products.

I looked at those using the link you posted. My 2013 says the back up bulbs are a 921, and according to that link those lights will not work in my Edge. Then again, I also checked for the 2007 model thinking maybe your lights were different, but that link also said it was not compatible with your 2007. These bulbs say they replace the T-10 bulbs.

 

Am I looking at the wrong bulbs or do they in fact replace the 921 bulbs? I really like the difference I see in you pictures and would like to install these or something similar in my 2013.

Edited by ls973800
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I have seen other bulbs that list 194, 168, 921 and w5w all as the same bulb. This bulb does not specifically state that they fit 921 but I believe the socket is the same.

 

Here is an example

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/miniature-wedge-base/?gclid=CjwKEAjwi6OeBRCCrZqp-qaQhhISJACrfbtASv5z81st8yraeeIrd1nui__IgbibvQ9RC2X7NG9VYBoCeBzw_wcBpage/1/page/2/

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I looked at those using the link you posted. My 2013 says the back up bulbs are a 921, and according to that link those lights will not work in my Edge. Then again, I also checked for the 2007 model thinking maybe your lights were different, but that link also said it was not compatible with your 2007. These bulbs say they replace the T-10 bulbs.

 

Am I looking at the wrong bulbs or do they in fact replace the 921 bulbs? I really like the difference I see in you pictures and would like to install these or something similar in my 2013.

You were in the right place :) T10 is basically the generic name for the socket the 921 bulb uses. So any T10 based bulb should work instead of the 921, provided of course, that the physical dimensions don't exceed the capacity of the bulb opening/holder.

 

My Edge's 921 socket is OEM i think, and it holds on to the OEM bulb pretty tightly. I have tried multiple LED products in that socket, and as to whether the bulb you buy is a little loose in the socket, that will vary. The current ones fit pretty well.

Edited by WWWPerfA_ZN0W
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Perf is correct.

 

You can use a "T10" or "W5W" bulb in place of the 921/168/194 etc.. In fact you can use the same bulbs in the map lights as you would in the license plates as you can the reverse bulbs. The only difference is wattage and lumens for each application. Putting the 921 bulbs in the map lights or license plate lights would certainly melt the plastic lenses (maybe not, but I wouldn't put the ones Perf linked to anywhere but in the reverse bulb housing), but the reverse sockets have more distance from and much thicker lenses in order to dissipate the heat. Hence, the different designation in bulbs, despite the common base size.

All these bulbs are referred to as "wedge base" bulbs or "miniature wedge" bulbs and share the same socket type and bulb base size (W2.1x9.5d).

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And having said that I just ordered the 1400lm ones you linked to (had a bunch of left over ebay bucks). I think I now have a container of 30-40 various led bulbs until I can decide which ones to keep.

You are a brave man! I have a hard time ordering stuff :) What would I do with bulbs I don't like, though? I'm pretty lazy when it comes to returns!

 

The switchbacks are pretty nice!

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And finally, night time pics. The one with the beam pattern on the garage door looks like to different color temps, I can assure you that they are identical (I am a crappy photographer and the iphone doesn't do it any justice).

 

attachicon.gifIMG_0040.JPG attachicon.gifIMG_0039.JPG attachicon.gifIMG_0038.JPG attachicon.gifIMG_0037.JPG attachicon.gifIMG_0036.JPG attachicon.gifIMG_0035.JPG

 

 

How about the blinking, has it been consistently amber or have you gotten the random flashes of white?

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PJ,

 

I have had zero intermittent white blinking with these bulbs. Seemed to have solved that issue with tees new bulbs.

 

Sounds like it's time for me to upgrade. In combination with Dan's DRL's they look great when they work properly but the flash of white just kills the look.

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