I finally started to order my LEDs for my truck. I got the map lights from v-led, they are sold out of the dome lights so i am waiting for them to restock and i ordered these License Plate Lights.

I got them in the mail today and installed the domes no problems. I went to install the license plate lights and only 3 of the 6 leds light up, so i try turning it around and it blows my fuse. I tried both bulbs in both sockets and 3 fuses later i am no where.



Any Ideas??

 

That looks a nice design, but, I suspect one or both must have an internal short. What happens if you plug one of them into another 194 bulb socket?

It DOES sound like they're "polarized" though. Usually, this means they simply have to be plugged in a certain way to light, otherwise, they just don't light. If only three out of the six light up though, the lights themselves have an internal fault, and maybe, just maybe, reversing them acts like a short circuit.

In my case, with a somewhat similar product that has nine SMT LEDs on a flat panel, I had one that lit two out of the three rows. I resoldered the connections along the faulty row and fixed the problem.

In your case, I'd try to get a replacement for whichever of the bulbs that is faulty.

Edit: Try to be careful that you are handling the devices only by the edge of the mounting cards. Don't put any pressure on the SMDs at all.

- Jack

 

I went out and messed with it somemore and noticed that it only blew the fuse when i put it to far into the socket.

I got one of the bulbs to light all 6, one still has 3 lit. I will call them tomorrow and see what they have to say.

 

OK, this tells me the design allows a short when the bulb is inserted too far. That's too bad, because it could probably work its own way into this position due to road vibration. I wonder if you could make a cardboard "shield" (shirt cardboard) that would keep it from being inserted too far?

The other one sounds like a faulty solder connection.

- Jack