Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Can LED backup light burn out?

TLT1964

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Jul 15, 2021
Messages
241
Location
Ohio
I have the Quadratec LED taillights, and the backup light just stopped working. The taillight still works, and the license plate light. Can just the backup light burn out?
 
Its a tiny PCB and parts fail

This is why I dont buy egregiously expensive “one off” LED integrated replacement housings. I buy middle of the road , and easy to find and replaceable. Its all comin from China whether you paid $50 or overpaid $200+

I kill the “22 year” FEIT LED BR30s I buy in bulk from Costco in my kitchen every 6 months because its on the same circuit as my coffee maker. These ratings they advertise in all LED are bullsheisse
 
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Manufacturers like to brag about 30-year LEDs. And they're right, LEDs last a long time. But the equally important regulator board packaged with the LED is usually stuffed with the cheapest, smallest components they can get by with.

Here's the innards of an LED dropcord light.

1715645247715.png


It lasted 4 years. The LED with the silver heatsink is probably good for decades. The regulator board, not so much.

1715645330062.png


See that tiny brown inductor "L1" with the cracks in it, and the burned board under it? It's probably rated for half the current it carries, so it runs hot until it flames out. Capacitors are the other notoriously cheapo death components. These two look intact, but one has a bulging top, so it's about ready to rupture.
 
LEDs are pretty hard to kill. But you can break them. I need a set of BMB taillights...if you want quality replacement go for those. These are my $30 Amazon trailer lights.

IMG20240513142849.jpg


-Mac
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator