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So yet another led product that caught my eye after I was pointed to these led lamps by a member here. So once more my led fetish had me ordering a set of their 5k switchbacks for the front. They can be found here -> http://www.vleds.com/v3-triton.html
From the website,
Meet the next generation in LED lighting technology - the V3 Triton. With its 6 Philips Rebel 3W LEDs, the V3 may well be the most advanced LED bulb of all time. Thanks to our exclusive design, your vehicle will have the look and safety of a high end exotic. Boasting a maximum output of 430 lm of blazing amber (turn) and a powerful 600 lm of white (parking) light the V3 SwitchBack is unmatched in the industry. The universal interface system ensure ease of installation and can be used in a broad range of vehicles and applications. The V3 reaches outputs that will get your vehicle noticed in any condition. This iconic design will change the way we look at automotive LED bulbs forever.
Features:
NEW! Smaller Control Module with built in Resistor. No Hyperflash! The load can easily be removed if desired.
NEW! Automotive Weatherproof Connectors
DRL Smart Control. Automatically switches high input DRL signal to white LEDs
Type 2 Switching Circuitry (white shuts off when amber is on)
Optically engineered lens that maximizes viewing range.
6 Philips Rebel 3W LEDs.
All aluminum construction
Adjustable positioning in housing for a more precise focal point in the reflector.
50% dim parking (white) mode when headlights are on.
Universal design for easy installation
50,000 hour lifespan
Lifetime warranty
Patent Pending 2012
Specs:
Extended Description: 7443 1157 3157
Manufacturer ID: V3TWA-PL3
Light Color: White/Amber
In Package: 1 Pair
Operating Voltage (Volts): 14.5v
Forward Voltage: No
Color Temp: No
Dominant Wave Length: No
Output Total Lumens: 600lm White 430lm Amber
V Star Rating: 5
Price: $0.00
CANBUS Proof (Y/N): No
Color Temperature (Kelvin): No
Current Control: No
DUAL Polarity (Y/N): No
High Power (Y/N): No
LED Type: No
Oversize (Y/N): No
OVER Heat Protection (Y/N): No
OVER Voltage Protection (Y/N): No
Purchase Package: No
So now that you've got the basics on these lamps, on to the meaty bits. Being a new product I wasn't sure as to what to expect when it arrived and was certainly surprised by everything that came with the set. In the photo below there are the two control modules for each led, the leds themselves, 1157 socket adapters, configurable lock collar rings for socket fitment of the leds, rubber spacing washers, lock collar screws and dimmer cables for the running mode of the leds. Being that this kit is setup for automotive use it will take some modifying to adapt it to the 650. The 400's may not need any modifying of the controller wiring harness to fit. Just a matter of locating everything and running a supply wire for the run mode. More on that later.
![]()
Unlike many of the led bulbs out there that utilize arrays of smds or single leds arranged around the bulbs axis on boards for reflector coverage, these leds have an omnidirectional clear acrylic diffuser fitted over the led chips to accomplish the 360 degree coverage with the focal point at it's center. This is a plus since no part of the lamp blocks usable light reflected off of the reflector so you will get a more intense appearance.
![]()
The led package has three parts. The main heat sink in black, focusing lock and heatink and the core that has the leds and optic mounted to it. Considering the focusing base acts as additional heat sinking, non-drying thermal paste could have been utilized between it and the main assembly to aid in cooling. Overall length from the end to the bottom of the base is 2.5". Length that would stick out after mounting would be ~ 1.325 ".
![]()
The assembly has three 3W leds for each mode so in either function they will draw ~9W.
![]()
Assembly components dismantled. Once more, thermal paste could have been utilized for better heat transfer to the heatsinks.
![]()
INSTALLATION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is where things get a little involved adapting it to the 650. The first step is to place the large rubber washer on and attach the lock ring with the 3x4 screws positioned so they match up with the cutouts in the turn signal housing.
![]()
Next, you will need to widen the smaller notch to allow the screw to go through to be able to lock the assembly in place.
![]()
Once done, just slide in and twist just like you normally do with the sockets.
![]()
To move the focal point simply loosen the silver base and twist the inner segment to move it deeper into the housing. Lock in place by tightening the silver base once more.
![]()
The control modules have a built in load resistor for use with non solid state flasher relays. The fuse supplies power across the internal resistor so if you do not wish to use the internal resistor and save some power remove the fuse from the control module harness.
![]()
You can also dim the running mode if you find it too bright for your liking or wish to have a nighttime mode to enable by hooking up the white cable to a +12v source.
![]()
Since there is no room in the mirror housing for the large connector and wiring you need to cut the connector off of the led assembly and run two wires into the mirror housing to run back to the controller harness for powering the leds. The existing stock wiring will also be used for completing the wiring to the controller. Once wired remember the wire colors and their corresponding switchover going out for reconnection later.
![]()
Also, you will need to remove material from the top of the rear mirror support to allow clearance for the led heat sink.
![]()
Once done with the work in the mirror housing locate the wires for the signal socket going into the mirror assembly and cut both wires.
![]()
Remove the plug from the controller and connect the three power wires as shown. If you don't have wiring for the run mode you can get power from the orange wire on the unused aux plug under the instrument cluster.
![]()
Cut the plug off the remaining controller wiring harness and connect the wires to remaining wire coming from the mirror housing that connects to the led assembly. Once done, locate the controller to an area and secure in place so as not to interfere with the triple tree.
![]()
Performance----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that the wiring is done and all connections are made lets see how they fare. Being these have two modes built into them each will be function tested against a stock 1157 amber bulb. The first photos are in running mode. Compared to the stock 1157 bulb on the left the brightness is quite an improvement over stock.
![]()
![]()
And here with the turns enabled.
![]()
![]()
To compare the stock bulb to the Triton I removed the running light power to the stock bulb for an accurate comparison. The triton is slightly brighter than stock and has better color definition making it more visible during any time of day. So plus one for that.
![]()
[youtube:28zm0oa3]Qvc1MPC57qQ[/youtube:28zm0oa3]
From the website,
Meet the next generation in LED lighting technology - the V3 Triton. With its 6 Philips Rebel 3W LEDs, the V3 may well be the most advanced LED bulb of all time. Thanks to our exclusive design, your vehicle will have the look and safety of a high end exotic. Boasting a maximum output of 430 lm of blazing amber (turn) and a powerful 600 lm of white (parking) light the V3 SwitchBack is unmatched in the industry. The universal interface system ensure ease of installation and can be used in a broad range of vehicles and applications. The V3 reaches outputs that will get your vehicle noticed in any condition. This iconic design will change the way we look at automotive LED bulbs forever.
Features:
NEW! Smaller Control Module with built in Resistor. No Hyperflash! The load can easily be removed if desired.
NEW! Automotive Weatherproof Connectors
DRL Smart Control. Automatically switches high input DRL signal to white LEDs
Type 2 Switching Circuitry (white shuts off when amber is on)
Optically engineered lens that maximizes viewing range.
6 Philips Rebel 3W LEDs.
All aluminum construction
Adjustable positioning in housing for a more precise focal point in the reflector.
50% dim parking (white) mode when headlights are on.
Universal design for easy installation
50,000 hour lifespan
Lifetime warranty
Patent Pending 2012
Specs:
Extended Description: 7443 1157 3157
Manufacturer ID: V3TWA-PL3
Light Color: White/Amber
In Package: 1 Pair
Operating Voltage (Volts): 14.5v
Forward Voltage: No
Color Temp: No
Dominant Wave Length: No
Output Total Lumens: 600lm White 430lm Amber
V Star Rating: 5
Price: $0.00
CANBUS Proof (Y/N): No
Color Temperature (Kelvin): No
Current Control: No
DUAL Polarity (Y/N): No
High Power (Y/N): No
LED Type: No
Oversize (Y/N): No
OVER Heat Protection (Y/N): No
OVER Voltage Protection (Y/N): No
Purchase Package: No
So now that you've got the basics on these lamps, on to the meaty bits. Being a new product I wasn't sure as to what to expect when it arrived and was certainly surprised by everything that came with the set. In the photo below there are the two control modules for each led, the leds themselves, 1157 socket adapters, configurable lock collar rings for socket fitment of the leds, rubber spacing washers, lock collar screws and dimmer cables for the running mode of the leds. Being that this kit is setup for automotive use it will take some modifying to adapt it to the 650. The 400's may not need any modifying of the controller wiring harness to fit. Just a matter of locating everything and running a supply wire for the run mode. More on that later.
Unlike many of the led bulbs out there that utilize arrays of smds or single leds arranged around the bulbs axis on boards for reflector coverage, these leds have an omnidirectional clear acrylic diffuser fitted over the led chips to accomplish the 360 degree coverage with the focal point at it's center. This is a plus since no part of the lamp blocks usable light reflected off of the reflector so you will get a more intense appearance.
The led package has three parts. The main heat sink in black, focusing lock and heatink and the core that has the leds and optic mounted to it. Considering the focusing base acts as additional heat sinking, non-drying thermal paste could have been utilized between it and the main assembly to aid in cooling. Overall length from the end to the bottom of the base is 2.5". Length that would stick out after mounting would be ~ 1.325 ".
The assembly has three 3W leds for each mode so in either function they will draw ~9W.
Assembly components dismantled. Once more, thermal paste could have been utilized for better heat transfer to the heatsinks.
INSTALLATION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is where things get a little involved adapting it to the 650. The first step is to place the large rubber washer on and attach the lock ring with the 3x4 screws positioned so they match up with the cutouts in the turn signal housing.
Next, you will need to widen the smaller notch to allow the screw to go through to be able to lock the assembly in place.
Once done, just slide in and twist just like you normally do with the sockets.
To move the focal point simply loosen the silver base and twist the inner segment to move it deeper into the housing. Lock in place by tightening the silver base once more.
The control modules have a built in load resistor for use with non solid state flasher relays. The fuse supplies power across the internal resistor so if you do not wish to use the internal resistor and save some power remove the fuse from the control module harness.
You can also dim the running mode if you find it too bright for your liking or wish to have a nighttime mode to enable by hooking up the white cable to a +12v source.
Since there is no room in the mirror housing for the large connector and wiring you need to cut the connector off of the led assembly and run two wires into the mirror housing to run back to the controller harness for powering the leds. The existing stock wiring will also be used for completing the wiring to the controller. Once wired remember the wire colors and their corresponding switchover going out for reconnection later.
Also, you will need to remove material from the top of the rear mirror support to allow clearance for the led heat sink.
Once done with the work in the mirror housing locate the wires for the signal socket going into the mirror assembly and cut both wires.
Remove the plug from the controller and connect the three power wires as shown. If you don't have wiring for the run mode you can get power from the orange wire on the unused aux plug under the instrument cluster.
Cut the plug off the remaining controller wiring harness and connect the wires to remaining wire coming from the mirror housing that connects to the led assembly. Once done, locate the controller to an area and secure in place so as not to interfere with the triple tree.
Performance----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that the wiring is done and all connections are made lets see how they fare. Being these have two modes built into them each will be function tested against a stock 1157 amber bulb. The first photos are in running mode. Compared to the stock 1157 bulb on the left the brightness is quite an improvement over stock.
And here with the turns enabled.
To compare the stock bulb to the Triton I removed the running light power to the stock bulb for an accurate comparison. The triton is slightly brighter than stock and has better color definition making it more visible during any time of day. So plus one for that.
[youtube:28zm0oa3]Qvc1MPC57qQ[/youtube:28zm0oa3]
