Incandescent to LED rear lights
Is there an icandescant replacement bulb I am unaware of that is not too costly and uses the OEM socket and lens but will not put a large drain on the charging circuit
Yup! Number 3496. It's described in
this previously-linked post. You can get the required bulbs (which have nice nickel-plate bases that will not corrode and seize in the sockets) from your local Honda dealer. Part number for the single-filament variety (replacing 1141, 1156, 1073, 7508, or P21W) is 34903-SF1-A01. Part number for the dual-filament variety (replacing 1016, 1034, 1157, 2057, 2357, 7528, or P21/5W in brake/tail or park/turn lights) is 34906-SL0-A01. Don't try to buy these bulbs in the aftermarket, and don't let the dealer sell you anything but a genuine Stanley-made Honda bulb; everything but the genuine Honda product is junk. The Honda (Stanley) items are ultrapremium bulbs with very long lifespan, corrosionproof nickelplate base, etc.
I know 1156 bulbs are brighter than 1157's
No, that's not correct. 1156 is a single-filament, 32-candlepower bulb. 1157 is a two-filament, 32/3-candlepower bulb. 3496 is a two-filament, 43/3.5-candlepower bulb.
anything other than LED's cause a big power drain at idle.
If your brake lights are causing a "big" drain at idle, there's something the matter with your alternator. Yes, the early Chrysler charging systems are weak at idle, but not
that weak!