The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay LED parking lights ’46 Chevy

I am wanting to change the lighting to LED for the parking lights and also use the lights as part of the turn signals. Can someone that that traveled this path share their experiences?
Thanks,
46Sparky

I made my parking lights also turn signals. I did not use leds but nothing very magical about leds. The first thing to know is you need a different type of flasher as leds don,t draw enough current to heat the bi-metalic strip in a standard flasher. You then need to know the voltage 6 or 12. Leds are sensitive to voltage. Led arrays typically have a voltage limiting device and may have current regulation as well. You will probably have to mount an L bracket under the lens to hold the led array you choose. Depending on your turn signal set up and if you still want parking lights you might need two circuits. I made a new terminal strip for the fender a 4 pole.

The largest selection of LED lighting for vehicles is probably ar Superbrightleds.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/search/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/6v/

These are later bulbs (for bulb codes), but do any of your bulbs match any of these bulbs?

Signal flashers for LEDs are available (6v LED flashers are rarer - maybe someone will post helpful information of a successful first-hand experience?)
Here is one example: https://www.amazon.com/Flasher-Negative-Vehicles-Memotronics-ELF33-6/dp/B06XSLDP53

One of the reasons I am considering the LED option is I’ve seen comments elsewhere the milky white glass used in the parking light bezel assembly reduces the lights brightness. Is that a correct understanding?
I did look into the bulb options in the link Tim suggested. That looks like a viable parts source too. I am uncertain about the bulb size that was used for the 6 volt socket parking light originally. The socket is much smaller diameter than the tail lights. Also, the truck has been now been changed to a 12volt system.
Thanks for the info and any additional comments, guys.

Not sure how you are wired now. The oem light switch turns on the parking lights at the position before the headlights and off in the head light position. If you're wired this way the best option is a two contact socket if your looking for an led bulb. This is what I did but other possibilities exist.

Thanks for the info in this thread. Hope to get to this point this season!

The wiring for the parking lights isn’t completed yet and the headlight/parking light assembly is on the bench. Wiring to the switch is installed and mounted in the dash. Access to most everything related to the lights and turn signals addition is readily available.
I am thinking as a preferred option, of substituting use of the parking lights as originally used and use that hardware in as much as possible for turn signals instead. My preference would be to keep this as simple as feasible and avoid cutting etc. Ideally, the fix would a simple plug and play, much like the rear taillights I used.

I found the parking light bulb size for the original 6V system was. #55, 2 amp bulb.

LED light bulbs have proven to be effective in all types of lighting. I doubt that now you can find many people who will stand their ground and say LEDs are overrated. Often you don't even notice when you use LEDs Over time, they only get better and more interesting. I placed LEDs in the car, apartment, and even ribbons on the veranda https://www.vont.com/product/smart-strip-lights-led-strip-lights/. Because I really like that I can adjust the lighting modes that are convenient for my eyes.