Replacing the reverse lamp. Xenon or diodes?

Some car owners who have bought cars of the latest lineup suddenly discover an unpleasant problem: the taillights do not burn well. It's all about the desire of automakers to give products a sophisticated look. Instead of a “lonely” lamp, characteristic of models of past years, the reverse gear was “fitted” into a common headlight unit. The problem is especially aggravated in the absence of a rear-view camera and tinted windows. Car owners who do not want to put up with this state of affairs are trying to get out of the situation on their own. However, installing an additional headlight will spoil the design. Therefore, there is only one way out - the use of a more powerful lamp. But which one is better?

Xenon

When installing products of this type, there are many nuances that will have to be taken into account. The lamp, where the gas is pumped, does not immediately flare up at full power. Only a few seconds after the reverse gear is engaged, what is happening behind becomes visible. There is a second point: the headlight in which xenon is placed must be absolutely free of pollution. Even small spots of a directed beam of light turn into an incomprehensible cloud. As a result, a dilemma arises: install a washer on the reverse headlight or regularly go out with a sponge to wipe the optics. Therefore, automakers practically do not put xenon in the "stern" of the car. And one more thing: if the headlight is not designed for a xenon emitter, over time the body will become unusable: if the lamp burns for a long time, it will simply melt.

LEDs

At one time, conventional incandescent lamps were replaced by halogen ones, then xenon appeared, and now LED products are in trend. And this is understandable if you look at their merits:

• ? installation is extremely simple - no need to mount the ignition unit
  
• ? LEDs light up instantly and do not cause blinding
  
• ? LEDs consume very little electricity and have a long service life, provided they are of high quality.
  

Installation of LEDs in the "reverse"

Some car owners, carrying out "modernization", leave the factory lamps in place. Simply, they are additionally (in parallel) connected to an LED strip located around the main lamp. The simplest connection option is directly to the standard reversing lights, but with the correct polarity. If the last rule is neglected, the LEDs will not work. The tape can be placed in one or several rows, or in the form of some kind of figure - in general, there is scope for design fantasies.

Separate LED lamps

They are installed in the lanterns instead of regular lamps. Here you need to responsibly approach the choice and first of all pay attention to:

• ? lamp base if you want to replace everything quickly and without unnecessary modifications
  
• ? power, which should be approximately 2 to 5 W
  
• ? luminous flux - it is recommended that it correspond to at least 120-150 lumens
  
• ? body of the product, which should be metal for better heat dissipation
  

The best option is not to make a mistake with the design of the base and the dimensions of the lamp (otherwise it will not fit into the lamp) - unscrew it and buy an LED with exactly the same dimensions (at least not more). Otherwise, you will have to file, solder, twist, that is, "collective farm", and this does not always lead to the desired result. What do manufacturers of LEDs for reversing lights offer today?

Philips

A product from a well-known brand, specially designed for installation in reversing lights. Provides white even light. The main characteristics of the lamp:

• ✅ power - 2,2 W
  
• ✅ flow level - 350 lm
  
• ✅ color temperature - 6000 K
  
• ✅ power supply from 12 to 24 V
  

Product size P21W, base used BA15s. Of the shortcomings, I would like to note only the high cost.

aiming

Model B246 from Taiwan can be used not only as a light source when driving backwards, but also as "turn signals" or dimensions. The LEDs are bright, so they can be installed instead of regular "stops". Options:

• ✅ size T20
  
• ✅ brightness level is at least 800 lm
  
• ✅ color temperature 5000 K
  
• ✅ power 10,5 W
  

The lamp gives out a smooth white stream, at a cost it belongs to the middle price category.

CREE

The LED is specially designed to illuminate when reversing. The lamp is supplied with the radiator preventing an overheat of a product. The power of the device is 5 W, the supply voltage is 12-15 V. However, inside the LED there is a built-in driver that turns on the light already at 7 V. The product is made in an aluminum case, there is a diffusing lens. The declared brightness of the light flux is 120 lumens at a color temperature of 6000-6500 K.

ELEMENT

A Chinese product, it is a universal LED lamp for installation in "dimensions", "reverse", "feet", "turn signals" and interior. LED size P21W, base type BAY15d. Other characteristics declared by the manufacturer:

• ✅ power 6 W
  
• ✅color temperature 5000K
  
• ✅ 12V power supply
  
• ✅resource 30 thousand hours
  

The lamp with a diameter of 18 mm emits white cold light, has a metal case with notches, which is also a radiator. Differs in affordable cost.

xenite

Xenite products are certified in the Russian Federation, where the brand is registered. The lamps are designed for use in brake and reversing lights. The light output is cool white. Power 21 W at a voltage of 12 V. The level of luminous flux is at least 200 lumens at a color temperature of 5000 K. The products belong to the budget price category.

LED law

It doesn't matter where they stand - in front or behind. Requirements from the traffic police, regulations are the same everywhere, as are fines. The latter are 500 rubles. Right now for LED, as before (from 2019 to 2020) they are not deprived. You can drive with LED headlights only if such lamps are provided for by the vehicle design and installed at the factory.

Does it make sense to put LEDs in the reverse lights

At first glance, it seems that it is enough to mount an LED instead of a regular lamp and the problem with the light is solved. But things are more complicated. A modern headlight is not corrugated colored glass with a reflector. This is a system that forms the luminous flux and ensures a long service life of the lamp. Yes, in theory, LEDs provide a strong and targeted beam of light with a minimum amount of electricity consumed. But in practice, no one regulates the directivity of the radiation, does not alter the shape of the headlight, and does not install a stabilizer to properly power the LED. And as a result, the LED shows 30% of its efficiency with a smaller resource.