Audi like LED lighting Mod

[MADDMOE]

i did the install on my own genesis 4.6 besides taking the car apart & cracking the headlights open , i must say its a JOB but i do this for a living in NY, but am very interested in those EQUUS headlights

 

[robthoke]

i did the install on my own genesis 4.6 besides taking the car apart & cracking the headlights open , i must say its a JOB but i do this for a living in NY, but am very interested in those EQUUS headlights

I think I like this one the best even though it is somewhat BMW-like. It simply looks sharp.

 

[motorsportsauthority]

I'm interested in doing something like this. What is the process to get the strips inside the lights? Should I have it done professionally? What do you estimate as the cost? Too bad I can't just send my lights to you.

The lenses are installed into the headlight housing using a pretty tough glue. In my case, my oven wasn't big enough for the headlights to fit. So i had to do each by hand with a heat gun and a utility knife. The lenses sit into the housing with glue on the top/back/and underside. Like this: - ] (If that makes sense.

So I had to carefully heat/soften the plastic, cut the top lip around the entire housing. Then using a plastic/teflon pry tool, knife, and the heat gun...slowly cut the glue away, separating the lens and the housing. Those steps there are what took me 3 hours/headlight.

This got to be pretty difficult in some places. Fortunately, you can remove the mounting tabs off the headlights for a better cut angle. But you're only wanting to cut the silicone adhesive...Don't get too crazy and cut the housing or the lens. If you do, don't stress too much because the outer part of the lens isn't visible, so it at least allows you some room for error.

To reseal, I use windshield silicone. It's black, and it's water tight. I'll teach others how to do it all day, but I had three pretty deep cuts that I would prefer not to repeat.

I'll be taking my headlights apart again because some LED's went out. I'll snap some pics on how/where I put the LED strip to make sure all my wires were hidden.

 

[motorsportsauthority]

Great Job!

I found another kind of LEDs for Genesis from Korean Genesis Club.

These are similar as Equus LEDs


In my case, I installed LEDs my Solara

it was too hard to me, so this time, I will install LED strips in fog light for my Genesis.

I think, I will do it thanksgiving week.

VERY nice. I was considering doing my Fogs, but it looked like it might be overkill for me. Please share pics when you're done.

For me, I'm not a fan of the big, spaced out LEDs. All in personal preference. I like the smaller LEDs because to me, it's an accent not another set of lights.

 

[jong2be]

The lenses are installed into the headlight housing using a pretty tough glue. In my case, my oven wasn't big enough for the headlights to fit. So i had to do each by hand with a heat gun and a utility knife. The lenses sit into the housing with glue on the top/back/and underside. Like this: - ] (If that makes sense.

So I had to carefully heat/soften the plastic, cut the top lip around the entire housing. Then using a plastic/teflon pry tool, knife, and the heat gun...slowly cut the glue away, separating the lens and the housing. Those steps there are what took me 3 hours/headlight.

This got to be pretty difficult in some places. Fortunately, you can remove the mounting tabs off the headlights for a better cut angle. But you're only wanting to cut the silicone adhesive...Don't get too crazy and cut the housing or the lens. If you do, don't stress too much because the outer part of the lens isn't visible, so it at least allows you some room for error.

To reseal, I use windshield silicone. It's black, and it's water tight. I'll teach others how to do it all day, but I had three pretty deep cuts that I would prefer not to repeat.

I'll be taking my headlights apart again because some LED's went out. I'll snap some pics on how/where I put the LED strip to make sure all my wires were hidden.

Thank you for great information!!

Right, it's really tough, so that's why I'm just thinking about Fog light LEDs.

I'm not sure which LED will use, but this time I think, this led is good for this project.

It's similar type as Equus.

but as you mention installation should tough.

 

[MADDMOE]

ok so jong2be whos white car is that with the blinking LEDs in the headlight or who did the work...? one of my blue LED rings has a problem with about 2-3 leds on the board so i will crack my lights open again and either replace it or go with the LEDs like the EQUUS, thats the only problem about doing any custom work with lights , when they go out you have to be on top of it or otherwise your ride will not look right at all & im very picky about how my genesis looks !!!

 

[verycooljdm]

how hard is the installation?

Can we average j** do this at home

 

[mdeanster]

So like many people I love the Audi LED DRL's that you see on the newer models. I came across these two products and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on them, if anyone has them, or just overall thoughts. If they do what they claim to and hold up the price cant be beaten.

http://www.streetglow.com/Catalog/XtraSlim-Flexible-LED-Strips
(If you click on a color you can watch a video)

http://www.plasmaglow.com/lightning-eyes-headlight-kit/

I was looking for DRL's. I bought the Plasmaglow strips and installed them. They look great at night, but are not bright enough for DRL's. I simply attached them to the bottom of the headlight assembly. Since they are side emitting strips and once attached (self adhesive backing) to the bottom of the assembly they shine to the front, there didn't seem a need to install them inside. I hoped they would suffice as DRL's, but since they are really only night lights (and very bright at night), I just wired them to the parking/running lights circuit. It looks awsome in parking light mode at night.

 

[mdeanster]

So like many people I love the Audi LED DRL's that you see on the newer models. I came across these two products and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on them, if anyone has them, or just overall thoughts. If they do what they claim to and hold up the price cant be beaten.

http://www.streetglow.com/Catalog/XtraSlim-Flexible-LED-Strips
(If you click on a color you can watch a video)

http://www.plasmaglow.com/lightning-eyes-headlight-kit/

I have answered your specific question in a separate post. The Plasmaglow looks great at night, but not for DRL's.

To your quest for the Audi style DRL's, I have been on the same quest. I have just received some brighter LED lights more like the Audi style and am going to install them in the next few days. These are rated at 1 watt per LED (with five per fixture) and that is enough to be seen during the daytime, but still not quite as bright as the Audi (or the Mercedes). These will easily fit in the lower intake grill without modification to the grill ($60). The only problem at the moment is finding a connection point that powers up/down with the ignition. (incedentally, these lights come with a relay that can be connected to your headlights that will automatically switch these off when your headlights come on, if you so desire) http://www.carpartslights.com/drls-led-daytime-running-light-drl-day-light-audi-style-p-498.html

The same website sells a nine LED fixture, but it's too long to fit in the intake grill ($80).

I found another website for Audi style that are rated at 3 watts per LED, but much more expensive ($140) and a little larger housing (making it harder to fit them into the intake grill without cutting the grill). These are the only ones I have found rated at 3 watts and might be exactly what we're looking for (bright as the Mercedes), but I don't trust the 3 watt rating because this is the only one I could find and I'm not willing yet to pay the extra $80 above what I have now to test them. Also, these will still require a wiring connection as do the ones I have now (note the next paragraph for wiring). http://www.gorecon.com/product.php?...+Lights+-+Rectangular+AUDI+Style+-+Clear+Lens

There's another site with a 5 LED (1 watt per LED) fixture that will fit and it has a module that allows you to simply connect to the battery and it will turn on and off with the engine, which is what I want. But it is more than twice the cost of what I bought ($150), but no more brighter and I'm convinced I can find a connection location that will power up and down with the ignition (saving the extra $90). If I find that connection point, I would rather put the increased cost into the the 3 watt LED's mentioned in the paragraph above. http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Philips-Day-Light-LED-Daytime-Running-Lights-DRL-p/led_ddl_sku_7c.htm

The fuse box does not have any fuse connections that are switched with the ignition (not that I can find) and I don't see how the unused DRL fuse position can be used to power with the ignition without some additional change or modification.

 

[mdeanster]

The Plasmaglow seems to be the better value. I bought two modules that has 6 LEDs enclosed and mounted them low on the car by the air dam. The guy that did the work for me (Daniel at Sound Visions) said there is a DRL fuse under the hood and he made the connections there. It works like a charm. Whenever I start the engine those lights come on and when I turn the ignition off they turn off.

Robthoke,
Where did you buy the lights and did they come with a control relay that switches the lights on and off? Do you know the output level of the LED's?

Can you send me the contact at Sound Visions so I may ask him about the connection point? I know where the DRL position is in the fuse box, but it's continuously powered. I'm trying to find a switched connection point under the hood without going through the firewall and into the cabin under the dash.

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[robthoke]

Robthoke,
Where did you buy the lights and did they come with a control relay that switches the lights on and off? Do you know the output level of the LED's?

Can you send me the contact at Sound Visions so I may ask him about the connection point? I know where the DRL position is in the fuse box, but it's continuously powered. I'm trying to find a switched connection point under the hood without going through the firewall and into the cabin under the dash.

SoundVision's number is (229)245-0460 and ask for Daniel (not Dan). The are open Mon-Fri 9-6 eastern. Reference the work he did on my Genesis. My name is Robert Hoke. I'm sure he will help you out in this.

 

[MADDMOE]

Ok so here are some pics of my 2009 4.6 Genesis, as some of you might know i had Blue LED rings in my headlights & fog lights for about 2 years now but decided to remove them after some of the LED diodes went out, so now I installed LED strips that are weather proof and gave me a different look . The job took about 4-5 days , that included cracking my lights open installing the LED's then sealing my lights back air tight and letting them dry completely. I also installed a blue LED strip (thats hidden) inside my headlight that gives it a hint of blue light. The interior was something i was just experimenting with, i decided to install a single LED diode ( Blue ) on the inside of my cup holders that gives my water that blueish color, i would post some pics of a 2010 camero i did with red light on the interior and exterior but this is a Genesis forum so i wont lol

 

[Onedurwho]

Just curious...since most state laws say no blue lights on the front of vehicles, how do you think you will handle this if it every comes up during a traffic stop? Or do you have them wired to a switch to turn them off at will...?

 

[MADDMOE]

In NY state its no blue or red FLASHING lights, i have been stopped before and they basically want to know where did i get the work done at, so they can get it done themselves

 

[Onedurwho]

It has always been my understanding (from all my law enforcement bud's) that NO light, other than white (or amber turn/marker) shall FACE FORWARD (flash or not) in any state. They are reserved for emergency vehicles. As for NY, are you fire department? Thus, when you purchase MOST colored lights, the default warning is: "for show only"...

The current NY State Law reads -
"Article 9, § 375 (41).
Colored and flashing lights.
The provisions of this subdivision shall govern the affixing and display of lights on vehicles, other than those lights required by law.

1. No light, other than a white light, and no revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving white light shall be affixed to, or displayed on any vehicle except as prescribed herein.

2. Red lights and certain white lights.
One or more red or combination red and white lights, or one white light which must be a revolving, rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving light, may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such lights may be displayed on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency operation, and upon a fire vehicle while returning from an alarm of fire or other emergency.

4. Blue light.
a. One blue light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he or she is employed, provided such volunteer firefighter has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue light by the chief of the fire department or company of which he or she is a member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the chief who issued the same or his or her successor in office. Such blue light may be displayed exclusively by such volunteer firefighter on such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation. The use of blue and red light combinations shall be prohibited on all fire vehicles. The use of blue lights on fire vehicles shall be prohibited and the use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a volunteer firefighter except as otherwise provided for in subparagraph b of this paragraph.

 

[MADDMOE]

wow glad your not pulling me over lmao

 

[motorsportsauthority]

Congrats. In the state of Arkansas, anything blue - flashing or not - is illegal. Good thing I have what's called a "cool white" that's more like the blueish HID color.

 

[Onedurwho]

Hey MADMMOE...all this just came to my attention due to a rider buddy of mine (we ride Honda Goldwings) was stopped due to lights on his bike! He has what is called "ring of fire" that circles the wheels (red/amber) and was told to get them on a switch! They don't flash...and are the correct color, and are on the side of the vehicle, like marker lights. Needless to say, he was just passing through the state and won't be back any time soon. As for all the other states my LEO bud's say no blue or red facing forward--flashing or not, (except for tale/stop), as those are reserved for emergency vehicles. Heck...the transit authority in NY was using blue lights on the buses and was told to remove them or suffer a fine! It wasn't until just a few years ago that blue lights were even legal on police cars in NY. They only used red/yellow cause blue was for volunteer fire only. It's a complicated world out there...and sometimes, you never know who is behind the badge at your next stop! Enjoy The Genny!!!

 

[RLREILLY81]

MADMOE - I love what you did. Personally I would have only used the blue on the inside but that is a matter of preference. The part that kills me is I don't have the ability or confidence to take on a task like this myself, there are no headlamp unit replacements with this predone, and I don't know of any shops in NJ that do this type of work that I trust (or that I could afford). Frustrating because this is exactly what I had in mind when I started this thread

 

[Onedurwho]

Don't get me wrong...I like them too. I just have two things working against me. 1) I'm afraid of Smokey. 2) I barely have the competency to put air in my tires...much less do surgery on my...anything!