DIY: Headlight LED's and blackout

Caravanshaka · 01-25-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOFO

As the OP stated in his disclaimer, it doesn't hurt to use more resistors. I believe the rule of thumb is one resistor per LED. He's got 3 LEDs to one resistor in this setup and over time I believe that can cause issues. I only mention this because I own his car and I have these exact lights in them and currently I have 3 of the LEDs flickering. I'm fairly sure its the resistor, but can't be 100% yet.

I have been planning to trade these lights out for a stock set since day one, but I just haven't gotten around to posting it yet.

Actually, if you go to any LED resistor calculator site, they all have wiring schematics for multiple LED's per resistor, with 3 LED's per resistor being common. My uncle is an electrical engineer that works with LED's on a daily basis, and he is the one that supplied me with the wiring schematic, which I verified to be correct on a couple different resistor calculator sites.

I think the issue with flickering is due to a loose connection somewhere in that string of 3, probably a post that broke off of an LED or resistor that is still held in place by the heat-shrink tubing allowing it to have a bad connection.

shadoquad · 01-25-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISMOFO

I have been planning to trade these lights out for a stock set since day one, but I just haven't gotten around to posting it yet.

Not a bad idea. Are you planning on keeping the aftermarket ones and going a new route with them, or are you going to sell them? Regardless, picking up stock lights is a good idea, especially if you plan on selling the car at some point down the road.

NISMOFO · 01-25-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Not a bad idea. Are you planning on keeping the aftermarket ones and going a new route with them, or are you going to sell them? Regardless, picking up stock lights is a good idea, especially if you plan on selling the car at some point down the road.

I had a potential trade for stock (even swap) fall through with another forum member. I'm still semi-interested in trading for stock....but after seeing a stock pair, the chrome is extremely overwhelming to look at. So I don't know for sure what my plan is.

NISMOFO · 01-25-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

Actually, if you go to any LED resistor calculator site, they all have wiring schematics for multiple LED's per resistor, with 3 LED's per resistor being common. My uncle is an electrical engineer that works with LED's on a daily basis, and he is the one that supplied me with the wiring schematic, which I verified to be correct on a couple different resistor calculator sites.

I think the issue with flickering is due to a loose connection somewhere in that string of 3, probably a post that broke off of an LED or resistor that is still held in place by the heat-shrink tubing allowing it to have a bad connection.

I think you're 100% right. I now stand corrected. I don't think there is anything wrong with the way these were wired. I think I just hit a few too many bumps in the road...

antivirus6613 · 02-14-2011, 07:51 PM

can someone wiegh in on how the led's look in the daylight and if they are visible similar to the audi's lights?

also, @cperusa how did you get the evil look going? drilled holes and put LED's?

antivirus6613 · 02-14-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

This is why you lay the housing upright with the lens not touching anything. Purchasing only the lens will probably not be possible. I remember with my 97 240sx I attempted to purchase just the lens for a fog light and it was actually more expensive than the housing, brackets, lens, and bulb bought as an assembly.

in order to prevent this should i use really wet cardboard

Caravanshaka · 02-16-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antivirus6613

can someone wiegh in on how the led's look in the daylight and if they are visible similar to the audi's lights?

also, @cperusa how did you get the evil look going? drilled holes and put LED's?

They are visible, but not as bright as Audi's. Audi uses high power LED's that require a lot more modification to get to fit for the landing strip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by antivirus6613

in order to prevent this should i use really wet cardboard

Wet Cardboard or a wet towel should work.

cperusa · 02-16-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antivirus6613

can someone wiegh in on how the led's look in the daylight and if they are visible similar to the audi's lights?

also, @cperusa how did you get the evil look going? drilled holes and put LED's?

yes. I drilled holes. If you look at the projector shroud it actually has dips along the rim. I put one LED on each dip.

Dembflyr · 02-17-2011, 04:02 PM

Starting my headlight mod. Angel eyes, Landing strip and two color Demon eye.

One is in the oven right now.

Gonna use these switches to have total control.

I'll have to finish next week though.

s4play · 02-19-2011, 07:32 PM

I just finished these for my girl's Lexus, the process is the same and we recommend always to use an oven to open the headlights.

There are specific types of LED's that do NOT require resistors too - all depends on what you want the look. My philosophy has always been to use less parts, less chance of issues from vibration later on.

here's the lenses taken apart:

Back together ready for install with LED's and bulb replacements:

we also took the time to sandblast the chrome off and repaint in gloss black inners:

We have a new 370Z here in our garage so plan to do the same LED setup but with high output LED's that are spaced differently than OP. If you are in the norcal bay area, drop by if you want to see them in action

Skorch · 02-28-2011, 10:01 PM

Thank you for the awesome DIY. Just got mine done last night and I love it! Couldn't have done without my dad's help. We did run into a snag with a blown fuse - almost gave up on the project but found it eventually.

Dembflyr · 03-07-2011, 08:19 PM

Got them back together. I still have to hook up the LED's

Big J · 03-07-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joebarchuck

Here is a pic of my stupid mistake:

LOL you grilled your lens.

Big J · 03-07-2011, 08:47 PM

So if a LED goes out can it be replaced without taking the clear lens back off?

Dembflyr · 03-07-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big J

So if a LED goes out can it be replaced without taking the clear lens back off?

Nope. I am hoping that I never have to replace an LED. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

02-17-2011, 04:02 PM	#114 (permalink)
Dembflyr Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 886 Drives: G37S Sedan Rep Power: 16	Starting my headlight mod. Angel eyes, Landing strip and two color Demon eye. One is in the oven right now. Gonna use these switches to have total control. I'll have to finish next week though. __________________ 2012 G37S Sedan 6MT - Project Practicality 2009-6MT-Sport/Touring-Dembflyr's Journal-TT Build Thread-CAR IS SOLD

02-28-2011, 10:01 PM	#116 (permalink)
Skorch Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 469 Drives: 2012 370Z Rep Power: 540	Thank you for the awesome DIY. Just got mine done last night and I love it! Couldn't have done without my dad's help. We did run into a snag with a blown fuse - almost gave up on the project but found it eventually. __________________ '12 370Z + Sport \| Stillen Gen3 Intakes \| Stillen UD Pulley \| Motordyne M370 \| FI Exhaust \| FI HFCs \| 4.08 Gears \| Uprev tuned

03-07-2011, 08:19 PM	#117 (permalink)
Dembflyr Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 886 Drives: G37S Sedan Rep Power: 16	Got them back together. I still have to hook up the LED's __________________ 2012 G37S Sedan 6MT - Project Practicality 2009-6MT-Sport/Touring-Dembflyr's Journal-TT Build Thread-CAR IS SOLD

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02-14-2011, 07:51 PM	#110 (permalink)
antivirus6613 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: plymouth Posts: 55 Drives: 07 Explorer XLT Rep Power: 16	can someone wiegh in on how the led's look in the daylight and if they are visible similar to the audi's lights? also, @cperusa how did you get the evil look going? drilled holes and put LED's?

02-19-2011, 07:32 PM	#115 (permalink)
s4play Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: BAY AREA Posts: 4 Drives: IS-F, s2000, M3, NSX Rep Power: 15	I just finished these for my girl's Lexus, the process is the same and we recommend always to use an oven to open the headlights. There are specific types of LED's that do NOT require resistors too - all depends on what you want the look. My philosophy has always been to use less parts, less chance of issues from vibration later on. here's the lenses taken apart: Back together ready for install with LED's and bulb replacements: we also took the time to sandblast the chrome off and repaint in gloss black inners: We have a new 370Z here in our garage so plan to do the same LED setup but with high output LED's that are spaced differently than OP. If you are in the norcal bay area, drop by if you want to see them in action

03-07-2011, 08:47 PM	#119 (permalink)
Big J Track Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Memphis Posts: 905 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 16	So if a LED goes out can it be replaced without taking the clear lens back off?