A new product - dual filament red 7443 LED bulbs that "pulse" 20 times per second for 2 seconds then illuminate normally.

For the full effect, you can also to the fogs-to-brakes modification and fit them there!

These are fitted as standard OEM to certain Mercedes models and are EU road legal. The "pulse" brake lights have been shown to reduce the braking reaction time of a following driver. Exerpt from Mercedes:

"Mercedes-Benz plans to add flashing brake lights to its vehicles in an effort to reduce rear-end collisions. The lights will initially enter production on the S-Class; the system has received approval by the European Union licensing authority. It will be followed by the CL-Class coupes.

Research by Mercedes engineers showed that driver reaction times are shortened by up to 0.2 seconds if a flashing red warning signal is used, instead of a conventional brake light during emergency braking. At 80 km/hr this reduced the stopping distance by approximately 4.4 metres, and at 100 km/hr by no less than 5.5 metres.

Mercedes-Benz tested various warning light systems and found that brake lights which light up four times as quickly as amber hazard warning flashers proved particularly effective in alerting drivers behind them. The study also revealed that switching on the hazard warning system in a dangerous situation has no significant effect on the reaction times of other drivers"

Prices are per pair, delivered to a UK address:

7443 fitment dual filament IS200/300/Altezza, other models

1 - 5 orders £38.80

6 - 10 orders £36.85

>10 orders £34.90


1157 fitment dual filament - MK1 GS300, MR2 Mk2, other models

1 - 5 orders £42.65

6 - 10 orders £40.52

>10 orders £38.38


I don't have an example to show in action yet as I haven't installed my own and I'm going to be out the country for a week.

so these replace the normal bulbs in the main cluster?

Are they the same for the Fog lights as well?

This bulb will replace the main fog/sidelight bulb in the main rear cluster. If you wants fogs-to-brakes as well, the same "pulsing" bulb will work.......and the rear of you car will look like the cabin of a 747 at take-off

So....

Rear clusters only = 1 pair

Rear clusters + fogs = 2 pairs

would be great top see some pics of these

Mike

I presume these are for the IS and not suitable for the Mk1 GS with single (382) filament bulbs.

I'm not sure what the 382 equates to........I can get these bulbs with the 7443 wedge fitting and also the 1157 bayonet fitting (which is possibly the 382).

Sounds good mate.
Are their any videos of the mercs that have similar bulbs so I can visualise what you mean?

Thanks

382 is a bayonet fitting with equally space pins but single filament so will check what equivalent in your spec is.

put me down for 1 pair

These are just replacement only then Mike? No need for extra work or bits and pieces etc?

For the main rear light clusters they are just plug-n-play

for what its worth, i found this link which talks about these bulbs on the s-clas and has a picture attached (not great, i know)

click me

when is the dead line for the GB and whats the deleivery time..

Put me down for a 1 pair, subject to seeing them on your car of course You might need to do a little video clip I think

Course mate..

The samples only arrived a couple of days before I was due to travel and haven't had chance to install them yet.

Lets set the end of the GB last day in May which'll give me chance to install them and take a clip, they take 10-14 days to arrive

I'm very interested, would like to see a clip before I commit.

Thanks

i may as well have a spare pair aswell then mike...

1 pair mate

i'll be interested in one pair mate (possibly two, but don't know quite yet)....subject to seein them on yours first

If we/you can determine if they'll fit a mk1 GS, then I'd be interested Mike

Ditto Mike

For all us Mk1 GS300 owners the equivalent US spec for the UK 382 spec for stop lamps I believe is the 1157.
The 7443 bulbs only seem to be used in the Mk2.
Looks like the poor old MK1 owners are out of luck.

Mike: any chance of you clarifying this with your supplier?

The bulbs ARE available in the 1157 dual flament, bayonet type fitting. I'm waiting to hear back on prices for the 1157, may be a little more since they have more LED's

Mike

The stop lamp bulbs in the MK1 GS have just a single filament which I thought was a 382/1157 type bulb.
Do you think you could verify this for us?

Thanks

Same as the above please Mike

According to this link, the stop/tail lights on the GS300 Mk1 are 1157 bayonet type, dual filament:

GS300 Mk1 bulb types

Seems there is a difference between the US and UK specs.

I checked my bulbs today cos I took out the leds I had in the stop light as they were not bright enough and they are definitely only a single filament 382 UK ref as I have separate 501 wedges for the rear driving lights. I have no dual filament lamps at all (380 UK spec). Checked at Halfords also and found same info.
Problem is if the 1157 US spec bulb is a dual filament I can't make out what the equivalent single filament would be, however, I suspect it might be the 1156.

I'd love a set of these bulbs as you will know I have been playing with LEDs and have yet to find a bulb of suitable intensity. I think part of the problem is that the stop lamp bulb goes in at an angle to the lens so I really need a bulb that has LEDs around its circumference as well as the top.

Mike,

This sounds like a great gimmick and the sort of cr*p I would buy

Register my interest, if I can see a video clip of your lights first

Thanks

Think I maybe interested in a pair, some pics would be great.

OK guys,

I'm back in the UK end of next week and will get an .mpg posted up - is someone able to host this for me?

I have about 300M free space on my site I think

looks like there's a lot of interest in these mike

First post has been edited to provide prices of 1157 bayonet type dual filament "Pulse" bulbs, these are bigger than the 7443 bulb and contain more LED's, hence more expensive.

The 1157 type will fit the GS300, MR2 Mk2 plus many other earlier models. Check the link below for the exact bulb type for your make & model:

Light bulb fitments

Mike

As I mentioned previously I would like to take part in this group buy and I am now convinced that the rear stop lamp bulb in my Mk1 GS is a UK 382 ref (US 1156 ref) as there is a separate 501 wedge type bulb for the rear driving light - see here http://autorepair.about.com/od/electricalr...l/aa010502b.htm.
Is there any chance of you getting any of the 1156's if there are enough us Mk1 GS owners interested?

Keith, they don't make this bulb in a single filament (7440 or 1156) fitting. However, it's simple enough to convert a dual filament to a single filament by soldering across the two contact points on the base of the bulb.

I'll go for a couple of pairs of these once I get a looky at the vid clip!!

Hi

Iam also interested once they are tested by you


2ddesign

error

OK Mike

If they are nice and bright count me in.
I presume these will also need load resistors to trick the bulb out circuit due to the low current draw from the LED's.

Mike,

Count me in for one set of the bulbs for the IS200.

(And this time I'll get with the program...)

Cheers buddy.

Stuart.

once i see video or picture i will be in

mike, have you managed to cobble together a vid or pics yet mate??
really loving the idea of these bulbs

Been really busy past couple of weeks not spent much time in UK. If the weather is OK this weekend I'll fit the bulbs and get a vid posted up.

add me to the list please!

I need some help here guys!

I've fitted the bulbs, but the "pulsing" effect only happens under hard braking conditions and not when the vehicle is static.

Can anyone in the Notts/Derby/East Mids help me out to take some video on the move?

BTW the bulbs are brighter than the standard LED bulbs and much brighter than conventional bulbs

Im over Notts on Sunday Mike, I may have chance to pop round if its any good? Pm me your mobile number and I'll give you a bell tomoz if I can.

Sorry to sound stupid, but how does that work? How does the bulb know whether you are braking hard or gently?

Add me to the list of interested by the way...

i would have thought that the pulse should be present regardless of speed??

Dunno how it works fella....gonna capture some vid for y'all

I believe this is how it works on the Merc too, its only under conditions where necessary that it pulses

I'm quite impressed if this actually works (and I'll put myself down for a set). Still don't get how it can possibly do it if its just a bulb - is there anymore to the installation than just replacing the bulbs?

I'm not entirely sure how these work myself! If Kaz can make it over tomorrow we'll take some video and find out.

Fitting is a direct plug & play, just remove the lens cluster and change out the standard bulb. 5 minute job each side.