Morning all,

Slight head scratching question.......yes I know it's early!

I've probably gone through 4 LED festoons in the boot space lamp now, two 'Fizzmo' units, one with a heat sink and a generic cheap one. Ultimately they have lasted 3-10 months before flickering constantly with the 'Fizzmo' units lasting the longest.

I've noticed they do get 'warm' but not hot and I've now gone back to a standard filament which has never blown just very dull as you all know! Any thoughts? I'm wondering whether I can get a slightly better filament instead.

As a solution I've added two removable 300 lumen LED round work lights to the underside of the boot lid for kitting up in the dark now, but these are battery powered.

Just thought it was strange considering I've still got the same interior festoons from over 2 years ago!! 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
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LEDs are generally driven from a constant current source. If you put 12v straight across an LED it will burn out, so you can either put a number of LEDs in series and then a resistor to limit the current or use a proper constant current device based on a power transistor. The latter is preferred as the LED output won't be affected by the battery voltage which seems to vary from 12v to over 14v on most cars when the engine is running. I would measure the current going through the festoon and the voltage across it and put an extra resistor in series (use your V=IR formula from schoolboy physics) to drop the voltage by a couple of volts.

Ahh I see!! How are everyone elses boot space LED's getting on? Which 'brand' are they, Fizzmo? 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
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I am on my second Fizzmo LED boot lamp. First one failed (flickering) after about 6 months. Replaced without a quibble after I sent them a photo of the old one with the caps crushed. Second one fine but it has only been a few months. 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

Advance factors, their stuff has been great, one was doa, other than that they have lasted fine.
As DorsetFreelander eluded, LED don't like fluctuations, I wonder if the Canbus voltages and the flickering you can't see is destroying them?

Bought one off eBay 11 months ago from Hong Kong and it's still going strong.

It has 6 LED's and a heat sink on the rear.

Last edited by Billsy on 5th Nov 2014 7:59 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Think Osram ones are ment to be good, that's the ones im going to be fitting  Freelander 57 plate XS Blue Auto

I Had led in my boot light and they didn't last long so I've gone back to standard bulbs.

Thanks everyone, hmmm think you could be right Taz, i've found a Fizzmo one from a pair a while back so will run that for now. Failing that, I'll treat them as a consumable for the price they are and the benefit in light output! 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....