Cargo light with LED...woes :-(
 

Today I tried to install a LED bulb in my cargo light, it worked beautifully. Maybe too well, cause no matter the position of the switch or if the door was open, or where the headlight switch was positioned it wouldn't turn off. With a regular bulb installed it worked as it should. What gives? Any ideas on why or what I can do to be able to run the LED bulb?
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Cargo light with LED...woes :-(
 

That's common with all LED bulbs in a vehicle designed for conventional bulbs, unfortunately. You'll need a load equalizer if you want it to work
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Cargo light with LED...woes :-(
 

whats a load equalizer??? and where do you get it

Re: Cargo light with LED...woes :-(
 

A load equalizer is a power resister that mimics a standard bulb. The problem with LED's is that they require almost no volt/amps to power them. These older electrical systems have a lot of stray voltage and as such bleed past or around switchs sometimes with enough power to light an LED.

I know I have seen many of them on Fleebay. I'm sure where ever you got your LED bulb might have them.

Re: Cargo light with LED...woes :-(
 

I might need a small correction here, but I do believe that each LED diode only takes .7 volts to fire up and produce light (sometimes less).
mmiddle is correct about the random stray voltages that our trucks typically have and the need for an inline resistor "load equalizer" to be placed in line prior to the LED lamps for them to function correctly.
Higher quality automotive LED light systems will typically have the required resistance built into their product, others will require the new owner to calculate the needed load and install it themselves.