LED light strip

[jpankowski]

Hello all, been lurking in this forum ever since i got my Genesis and have successfully completed many modifications that i learned from here.
- HID low beams
- LED festoons and wedges replacing all stock bulbs (int/ext)
- Awaiting rebadge parts

So back to the main topic, I had seen the LED strip style lighting on all sorts of cars, and it always stuck out to me. I really liked it. So, I decided to give my 2009 Genesis 3.8 a set of its own.
The ones i got are very concealed and fit under the headlight housing, attached with 3m adhesive strip.
These are Plasmaglow Lightning eyes. Available at www.plasmaglow.com/lightning-eyes-headlight-kit/
you can cut them to length. With mine, I didnt have to cut them down at all. they came in the perfect length.

Also, has anyone put HIDs in their hibeams? I have the bulbs and ballasts, just cant figure out how to get the headlight housing out. I tried removing the bumper skin enough to get the lights out, but i didnt want to break anything so i stopped.

 

[jtbishop]

Did you have to pull out the existing light assembly to install these strips?

 

[scottdk]

Also, has anyone put HIDs in their hibeams? I have the bulbs and ballasts, just cant figure out how to get the headlight housing out. I tried removing the bumper skin enough to get the lights out, but i didnt want to break anything so i stopped.

HID does not belong in a halogen housing, but only a projector lens such as the low beam on the Genesis. The high beam housing does not have the right optics for HID. You'll lose a lot of light which gets scattered everywhere and not on the road.

 

[Black Rocket 3.8]

I think there may also be a legal issue with using HIDs in high beams. There is another thread on this forum where someone indicated that, by law, high beams have to be instant on. HIDs have a delay in lighting and don't qualify. Cars that claim to have HID high beams use shutters to show/not show the HIDs. Look for the thread I mentioned for more information about this issue.

 

[jpankowski]

I've had HIDs in my hibeams in my old sonata. Worked great. You do not have to remove the Housing to install these strips. I was just asking how to put the HIDs in, not really interested in the legalities of it, as I live in Alaska and these laws are not really enforced. Thanks guys!

 

[jpankowski]

HID does not belong in a halogen housing, but only a projector lens such as the low beam on the Genesis. The high beam housing does not have the right optics for HID. You'll lose a lot of light which gets scattered everywhere and not on the road.

I understand this theory, but in my experience, the HIDs in a non projector housing spread the light rather evenly. I only use my hibeams when No one is around and I don't like the color temp of a traditional halogen bulb.

 

[scottdk]

I understand this theory, but in my experience, the HIDs in a non projector housing spread the light rather evenly. I only use my hibeams when No one is around and I don't like the color temp of a traditional halogen bulb.

With Xenon headlamps in halogen lenses, sometimes you get a deceptive and illusory "improvement" in the performance of the headlamp. The performance of the headlamp is perceived to be "better" because of the much higher level of foreground lighting (on the road immediately in front of the car). However, the beam patterns produced by this kind of "conversion" virtually always give less distance light, and often an alarming lack of light where there's meant to be a relative maximum in light intensity. The result is the illusion that you can see better than you actually can, and that's not safe.

danielsternslighting.com

 

[Philth]

danielsternslighting.com

x2

While it may be convenient to place HID bulbs modified to fit into a halogen housing, the position from which the filiament is placed in a halogen bulb will most likely be different from where the HID burning capsule is.


Also, to the one who was stating it may be illegal to use HIDs as a high-beam, the OEM Bi-Xenon HIDs use a moveable shield. When the shield collapses, the cutoff is gone and the beams shines up higher, still using the same bulb.

Those that install HIDs in halogen housings period regardless of low or high beam, are not legal.

 

[jpankowski]

Im mostly curious how to get to the HI beam dust cap to install it. I've already decided i want to do it. 99% of the time i drive in the dark, theres snow on the ground, and the true white light of the HIDs reflects off the snow really well to light up the entire area of the road, including the sides of the road so i can avoid moose. I guess it's kind of a different story because i live in the middle of nowhere alaska, not in a busy crowded city haha

 

[momuzik]

Looks nice. Do you have any pics without the LEDs lit? Just wondering what you'd see when they're not on.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[OneFunGenesis]

^ That. Also, how about telling us HOW you installed them. That would be more helpful than this useless banter about a gay-ass glare kit in the hi beams. You want HID's in the hi-beams...buy a 95 civic

 

[scottdk]

Im mostly curious how to get to the HI beam dust cap to install it. I've already decided i want to do it. 99% of the time i drive in the dark, theres snow on the ground, and the true white light of the HIDs reflects off the snow really well to light up the entire area of the road, including the sides of the road so i can avoid moose. I guess it's kind of a different story because i live in the middle of nowhere alaska, not in a busy crowded city haha

Seriously, you need to research lighting. You mention how well you believe the white beam lights up the snow. When it's snowing actually there is nothing better than 3000K which relfects the least off the falling snow or rain to enable better vision. I was hoping my dumb decisions 12 years ago, times would have changed with much more knowledge on the subject and education, but sometimes people are going to do things for vanity....just like the LED's you added.

 

[pusaterkm]

On my 2011 4.6 I put them in a different place then the original poster. They look great, turn heads and I get questions on them. But you have to attempt to keep them dry. My plasmaglows only lasted 6 months before they shorted out from water damage. I have since then used cheap ones off of ebay that do the same thing for a fraction of the price of them plasmaglows. If the plasmaglows short out from water, and I have to replace them, then why not use the cheaper ones. Plus the cheap ones came in a longer set that extended to the top corner of the lens and look even better.

The picture is of the plasmaglows the day that I installed them.

 

[Black Rocket 3.8]

Philth - When I was talking about HIDs not being legal as high beam units, I was refering to using them as a stand alone bulb vs. the approach you describe. As long as the HID bulb is always on they can be used in a high beam application. I also found the link I was refering to in my post relating to the legality of HIDs and converting halogen units. Here is the link:

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=4943&highlight=lights+illegal

 

[jnc2000]

I posted this a while ago...
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showpost.php?p=93817&postcount=27

The issue is though the kits are still illegal for sale (terms / conditions etc do not matter) by ANY vendor in the United States. This part of the statute is pretty clear.

The DOT has never approved an aftermarket HID kit... and I don't expect them to do so anytime soon. Unfortunately, as you pointed out each State and local jurisdictions have their own rules - and enforce them accordingly.

The bottom line is the "HID Kit" does adhere to US Regulations (FMVSS 108) [note: a revised and update to FMVSS 108 has been ongoing for the last couple of years, and is currently still under review]. You can still file petitions...

A current draft can be found here.

For shits... the ECE R48 legislation can be found here

Note the sale of the kits are still illegal - and still punishable under Civil Penalty.

I agree with you that the problems arise with reflector based housings... but until the law is re-written it is what it is... I was just simply trying to share information. Please don't take this the wrong way.

 

[jpankowski]

I don't need to research lighting. I know that while snow is falling, it's going to reflect. I drive in snow very often. I was referring to when snow is not falling, just on the ground everywhere, the 6009k color temp Reflects very well across the snow not only in front of the car, but off to the sides too. I was here in search of a simple answer, and ended up with negative responses, none of which answered my question. I will take it upon myself to figure it out on my own.