How to install LED projector reverse-light?

[GSXi]

Newb question...

Got the LED Projector 7440 from a TM3 sponsor.

Tried installing it but the metal contact (positive/negative) don't match the original. It's the opposite.

Am I suppose to bend the metal contact on the LED bulb in the opposite direction to make it work in the socket? Is that normal?

http://urbanvibz.net/led_project.jpg

[Noisy Crow]

You could try re-bending the wire. But it would be safer to get a bit of solid wire and bend that over the end beside original wire (U-shape). Tuck the new wire under the old one so that they are pressed together by the socket. Be careful you position the wire so nothing is damaged. If you try to re-bend the original wire the odds of it snapping are fairly high.

[yearoftherat]

That's totally messed up.
I wonder if they are all like that from the sponsor...

[Fayvir]

I just got the bulbs from nextmod today as well. And yes, the wires are bent the wrong way so you can bend 2 on each bulb so they actually touch the metal connectors of the socket in the car.
Other than that, it should work as long as they're touching. Just be careful you don't break the wires when you bend them :)

FYI - they aren't as bright as I thought they would be...i dunno maybe it's just me but i think the stock ones are actually brighter, but these do look nicer :)

[Hyperion]

FYI - they aren't as bright as I thought they would be...i dunno maybe it's just me but i think the stock ones are actually brighter, but these do look nicer :)

Damit.... Was considering them. I can't see squat out the back at night

[Booter22]

any pics installed?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

That's weird.

[aris]

any pics installed?

Now keep in mind my tail lights are tinted
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/aristeidis/efbcb60e.jpg

[Fayvir]

Here you go:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Crimzaelus/Mazda%203/ledprojsrev.jpg

[Mr Wilson]

FYI - they aren't as bright as I thought they would be...i dunno maybe it's just me but i think the stock ones are actually brighter, but these do look nicer :)

Agreed 100%

[Rob23]

wow i was going to get a set but maybe i wont lol

[Mr Wilson]

Could try those "projector' types. The LED's look cool from the outside and the occasional refelction you get, but really doesn't light up that well and I find myself sometimes having to lower the window to see better.

[eqlso]

I got the 7440 and didn't have to bend any wires to install them in my reverse lights. I don't remember exactly, but I thought the socket has plates on both sides of the bulb. Maybe its a new gen thing.

[bluntman]

Flip the bulb around?

[zzz3]

what is wattage of these bulbs (or what does the car list)? i can't find any info

i have found a bunch of projector 7440 bulbs online for $5-$10...

[n00bMeiSter]

FYI - they aren't as bright as I thought they would be...i dunno maybe it's just me but i think the stock ones are actually brighter, but these do look nicer :)

LED's are spot light / point sources. They'll never illuminate the same way as a regular bulb. They are brighter to look at, but you need a LOT of them together to really illuminate an area. They are not worth it IMO.
I have a 68 LED bulb as one of my reverse lights, and it's still no where near as good as the stock bulb. It's a nice bright spot to people looking at my tails, but it's useless.

And these aren't proper projectors. they need a reflective surface to help bounce more light forward.


http://www.bulbtogo.com/images/uploads/Toshiba_TLP-470(1).jpg

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/100584318/Projector_Lamp.jpg

[GSXi]

lol knew someone would say that...

no, the metal contact in the socket would always be the opposite (won't touch).


Flip the bulb around?

[n00bMeiSter]

Flip the bulb around?

lol knew someone would say that...

no, the metal contact in the socket would always be the opposite (won't touch).

My reverse lights have the same connector, and I did not have to bend anything. Flip the bulb around.

Edit: The pic of your connector just showed up. That's strange. You'll have to bend the wires.

[Aitch]

Could try those "projector' types. The LED's look cool from the outside and the occasional refelction you get, but really doesn't light up that well and I find myself sometimes having to lower the window to see better.


LED's are spot light / point sources. They'll never illuminate the same way as a regular bulb. They are brighter to look at, but you need a LOT of them together to really illuminate an area. They are not worth it IMO.
I have a 68 LED bulb as one of my reverse lights, and it's still no where near as good as the stock bulb. It's a nice bright spot to people looking at my tails, but it's useless.

From what I can tell, these ARE supposed to be the projector type bulbs (presumably the ones advertised by NextMod) which are meant to overcome the inherent deficiencies of normal LED-type bulbs in reflector housings (that is, there are built-in projectors to help amplify the light in a single direction, rather than needing the whole reflector housing to reflect light forward from a halogen bulb.

As for the actual light output, someone earlier posted an installed pic (Dave_the_BMXER?) that seemed to show them as quite bright. Be interested to see others post a comparison of the projector and stock light outputs against a wall (eg. one of each installed at the same time).

[gabbygenier]

My reverse lights have the same connector, and I did not have to bend anything. Flip the bulb around.

but if he flips it the contacts will still be on the same sides. the only thing it will change is the negative and positive of the bulbs. thats it. i never paid attention to the sockets on my bulbs but i do know that i put one in backwards (- and +). switched it around and it worked fine. not sure if the 2010's + are diff though.

did the OP try the bulbs both ways to see if they work?

[n00bMeiSter]

From what I can tell, these ARE supposed to be the projector type bulbs (presumably the ones advertised by NextMod) which are meant to overcome the inherent deficiencies of normal LED-type bulbs in reflector housings (that is, there are built-in projectors to help amplify the light in a single direction, rather than needing the whole reflector housing to reflect light forward from a halogen bulb.

As for the actual light output, someone earlier posted an installed pic (Dave_the_BMXER?) that seemed to show them as quite bright. Be interested to see others post a comparison of the projector and stock light outputs against a wall (eg. one of each installed at the same time).

Yeah, they have a projector lens, but it's not enough. Plus there's only a few diode's in there. Bright point, but no Illumination.

See the lights in the background of this pic? Those are LED panels, somewhere between 500-1000 (maybe more) LED's. And they give shit illumination. See all the falloff? And how small the area of illumination is?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6324603500_467ecc1294_b.jpg


So a few LED's with a projector lens, aren't going to be as good as an incandescent bulb with a reflective housing.

[p-o-g-i]

hmmmm... I was thinking about picking these up from NextMod as well, but now after reading through this post I wouldn't mind seeing more comparisons.

[Aitch]

Yeah, they have a projector lens, but it's not enough. Plus there's only a few diode's in there. Bright point, but no Illumination.

See the lights in the background of this pic? Those are LED panels, somewhere between 500-1000 (maybe more) LED's. And they give shit illumination. See all the falloff? And how small the area of illumination is?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6324603500_467ecc1294_b.jpg

So a few LED's with a projector lens, aren't going to be as good as an incandescent bulb with a reflective housing.

Don't get me wrong, I know all to well about LEDs and the actual light output lol. Just noting that the original output photos looked very promising.

[thanu31]

Don't get me wrong, I know all to well about LEDs and the actual light output lol. Just noting that the original output photos looked very promising.

lol yep, you are trying to teach the wrong guy dave :P

[n00bMeiSter]

Don't get me wrong, I know all to well about LEDs and the actual light output lol. Just noting that the original output photos looked very promising.

Oh, Agreed.

Lol thanu, well at least someone will understand what I'm trying to say lol

[Aitch]

Oh, Agreed.

Lol thanu, well at least someone will understand what I'm trying to say lol

true, good info.

[nitsuji]

I just installed my pair and I can confirm that the new shipment's pins are backwards. Easy fix, just gingerly flex them back over but don't squeeze them to the bulb. The diameter of the pins are not as big/doubled up like on the stock ones. If you do press them right up against the plastic part they will not touch the conductor things (My electrical terminology is garbage. LOL!).

As for the brightness, I find them brighter than my incandescent ones but nothing like my HIDs (They aren't even close. Let's be honest.). I purchased these because I have a narrow driveway with my van parked very close to right of my garage. At night with tinted windows it's almost impossible to see how close I am to the van. After installing these I noticed that there was a ton of light projecting to the sides of my car (what I needed) where it was very dimly light before. At the end of the day if you need extra light output so you can see closer objects, get them. If you're expecting HID light throws don't waste your money.

[aZuMi]

Installed my LED Projector reverse lights tonight. To be honest, I don't understand why people think these aren't bright enough. This is my 3rd set of reverse lights while having tinted tails and I can vouch that these are considerably brighter than the past two I had.

If you're expecting the type of brightness expected in a headlight, don't even bother since this does not generate that type of light. If you compared to other reverse lights, it's obviously brighter and will help you back in your garage at night. Just my :.02

Before putting it in the housing
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/o0aZuMi0o/photo-7.jpg

Installed
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/o0aZuMi0o/photo1-6.jpg

[Nextmod]

yes sorry we just found out about that backward pin issue with some of the bulbs, we have already fixed every single pair, sorry about that guys

and no they will not be as bright as HID's but I am not sure how some of you dont think they are bright enough for reverse lights =P

and I guess it also depends which angle they are in, since for some cars they are pointed towards the sides

here are some pictures that my customers sent me
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/384070_304577399563560_108834149137887_1015914_595 709920_n.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/383316_300705553284078_108834149137887_1007150_724 203221_n.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/380880_10150998865410374_526855373_21907514_166581 5986_n.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/375314_302992593055374_108834149137887_1011987_139 7877255_n.jpg

those pictures are just iphone pictures that we took
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/390967_297561143598519_108834149137887_998629_9511 46003_n.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/390203_300705573284076_108834149137887_1007151_994 243910_n.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/381883_302992626388704_108834149137887_1011989_111 6157880_n.jpg

[n00bMeiSter]

It looks great in pics from outside of the car and when the object is a big wall you're trying to illuminate. But lets see pics from inside the car and not against a wall that's very close.

[Nextmod]

so you want me to take a picture of the lights from inside the car with no wall behind us to show light out put?

[chan7]

Installed these tonight, even with the tail lights tinted, these projector LED's are far more brighter (IMO) than my original ones.

Before:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nlegbkqGvLo/TuFW5ZCUIiI/AAAAAAAAAgI/zvLN0jNT8j4/s648/Before.jpg

After:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-QP-GVLCFM/TuGJQ4p4IPI/AAAAAAAAAg0/s8ltRkySPgU/s648/After.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oXgGp2NdiCQ/TuFW4njthvI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/RunuC6ZD4EY/s504/IMG-20111208-00012.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4Xc0Zx21fTA/TuFW5jUSjsI/AAAAAAAAAgU/FQboOLPm7kk/s648/IMG-20111208-00011.jpg

[Nextmod]

see the problem is some tail lights are tinted also so its not going to be as bright

thanks for showing us with tinted tail lights Eric

[Aitch]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/375314_302992593055374_108834149137887_1011987_139 7877255_n.jpg



I think this photo is the best comparison you'll see, and a good representation of the results. A picture of them aimed at a distant wall will show the same type of disparity, except that the light output of both sides will be dimmer compared to the ambient light, and it will be more difficult to discern the difference between the two.

Really, if the above photo doesn't show the difference between the two, nothing else will be any clearer.

[kLuMzi]

it is bright!
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?58768-Nextmod-Projector-LED-s&p=860950&viewfull=1#post860950

[Nextmod]

it is bright!
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?58768-Nextmod-Projector-LED-s&p=860950&viewfull=1#post860950

Thanks =)

[Nextmod]

more installed pictures

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/381729_305929009428399_108834149137887_1018664_148 6400674_n.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/381862_305929039428396_108834149137887_1018666_615 3454_n.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j106/nextmod/Nextmod%202/386043_305929026095064_108834149137887_1018665_162 2050812_n.jpg

[Zeno]

picked mines up yesterday night, its way brighter then stock bulbs for sure...even the LED white is more appealing to look at then stock bulbs.

[Noisy Crow]

I got my set from NextMod put in couple of days ago. Overall... not worth the cost. The LED bulbs are longer than the stock bulbs, so they do not align with the lens properly, Plus, they throw a relatively narrow beam, which means lots of light scattered through the side of the lens and virtually none to the rear of the car. Stock bulbs provide much better lighting. I am thinking that a non-projector set of Cree LEDs would be work better, so I am going to try to get a set of those to test.

Car is an '08 sedan, so those of you with hatches or '10+ sedans may find the light pattern is different............

[yearoftherat]

Thank for the review. IMHO there won't be much difference between the hatch and sedan in regards to how the light looks. The bulb as stated is a projector type and while it is def brighter, it throws a narrower concentrated beam.
Keep us updated if you do find a set of bulbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fumoffu]

I got my set from NextMod put in couple of days ago. Overall... not worth the cost. The LED bulbs are longer than the stock bulbs, so they do not align with the lens properly, Plus, they throw a relatively narrow beam, which means lots of light scattered through the side of the lens and virtually none to the rear of the car. Stock bulbs provide much better lighting. I am thinking that a non-projector set of Cree LEDs would be work better, so I am going to try to get a set of those to test.

Car is an '08 sedan, so those of you with hatches or '10+ sedans may find the light pattern is different............

Very true. I installed mine and notice it produce a half moon type lighting, instead of a full lighting by the stock light bulb. If the projector LED was slightly 0.05mm shorter. This will fix the problem with the lighting.
Overall, quite bright and very white.

[fumoffu]

Just notice after installing the LED reverse light. It create interference on the radio, when I reverse.

[n00bMeiSter]

Just notice after installing the LED reverse light. It create interference on the radio, when I reverse.

It shouldn't create any problems. All you are doing is swapping bulbs.
Did you do some sort of extra wiring?

[fumoffu]

It shouldn't create any problems. All you are doing is swapping bulbs.
Did you do some sort of extra wiring?

No extra wires. Just did a simple swap and that is it. I tried different local radio stations and notice it only affect 107.9 so far but every other stations are perfect.

Strange lol

[Noisy Crow]

No extra wires. Just did a simple swap and that is it. I tried different local radio stations and notice it only affect 107.9 so far but every other stations are perfect.

Strange lol

The LEDs probably have a regulator hiding in there. And there is a noise suppressor on the hatch antenna, so it looks like the hatch antenna lead picks up noise from the wiring.... of the very sort that could be created by a voltage regulator.....

[Soyabean]

Anyone can give me a how-to on how to change the reverse lights on an 04-09 hatch? I quickly searched but did not see anything

[Soyabean]

Anyone can give me a how-to on how to change the reverse lights on an 04-09 hatch? I quickly searched but did not see anything

Nm, I found out the answer. The power of the internet...

[fumoffu]

The LEDs probably have a regulator hiding in there. And there is a noise suppressor on the hatch antenna, so it looks like the hatch antenna lead picks up noise from the wiring.... of the very sort that could be created by a voltage regulator.....

Good point. Going to see if I can fix this.

[Soyabean]

Good point. Going to see if I can fix this.

Let me know. I just installed mine and see that it happens on 93.5. I havent tried any other stations as I just did it right now and am dead tired from the gym. Let me know if you find a fix please

[fumoffu]

Let me know. I just installed mine and see that it happens on 93.5. I havent tried any other stations as I just did it right now and am dead tired from the gym. Let me know if you find a fix please

Did everything I could possible do. Currently have CX-7 stub antenna and trying to see if this occur with stock antenna but cant find it....

[Nova 3 GT]

Are those projector LEDs illuminates better also in the middle of the day?

[Noisy Crow]

Are those projector LEDs illuminates better also in the middle of the day?

Not really, no. Lots of light. Just not where you can use it.

[07carbon3]

are these right kinda of led reverse lights they are 7440
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260930114708

thanks

[aris]

are these right kinda of led reverse lights they are 7440
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260930114708

thanks
I could be wrong but I don't think it will fit

[07carbon3]

I could be wrong but I don't think it will fit

You thinking its too long?

[aris]

You thinking its too long?

Ya it looks like its too long for our cars

[07carbon3]

Ya it looks like its too long for our cars

Damn, I'll have to keep looking for others that are cheap price like that

[zzz3]

are these right kinda of led reverse lights they are 7440
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260930114708

thanks

the light output wont be good since it will be scattered. look for a 'projector' led type that focuses the beam in one direction.

[Astig02]

Picked up a pair of Projector LED reverse light from Nextmod today. I installed them and pretty happy with them. They are definitely brighter than the stock.

Here is a couple of pics on an unlit driveway with the projector LEDs.

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1223/20120115002118.jpg
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/5203/20120115002103.jpg

[silverstarmazda]

lol do the 2nd gen 3's reverse light bulbs point to the back? cuz the first gen doesnt it seats at an angle. i bought projectors for the back and they ended up point out :( got the bulb with a bunch of leds and i like the out put. i mean, they dont illuminate anything behind u unless your like 3-4 feet away from it. i like mine now cuz it actually lights up anything near my back end

[nguy3nha]

just installed these projector lights.. definitely looks better and there's a big improvement in light output. I wonder if there are ones for the rear signal indicators on a 2011 hatchback (non LED assembly)