Daytime Running Lights + Switchback LED’s

synolimit · 05-30-2013, 12:19 AM

Nice mod! Wow those thing aren't cheap.

Dave N · 05-31-2013, 04:54 PM

I've done this set up on three cars (mine included). I'm working on an installation write up (with pics) and hope to have it ready to publish within the next week or so depending on my work schedule.

White LED as DRL:

Amber LED turn signal (a bit washed out from the overhead light glare):

Overhead view (I was trying to capture the left turn signal but the shutter snapped between blinks):

And if there's any SoCal people wanting this done but too afraid to do it themselves, feel free to contact me for a quote.

Stay tuned....

Baer383 · 05-31-2013, 09:45 PM

Yea I did this 2 years ago works real good the switchback bulbs also work good

Beware if all of a sudden your parking lights /turn signals stop working then you blew a fuse in the IPDM.

///PureSwank · 06-01-2013, 10:01 AM

Why does nissan install those shitty azz yellow lights I hate that. Looks nasty as hell.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Dave N · 06-03-2013, 01:40 PM

Murphy's law.....

I noticed my left DRL wasn't working last Friday and decided to pull the bulb to check it out. Coincidentally, I had my brother check his car and found that he had no DRL or turn signal on his right side.

After removing my bulb, we didn't see anything abnormal but the circuit checked out OK. Not wanting to chance anything, I plugged the factory incandescent bulb in and every worked fine.

When we pulled my brother's LED, this is what we found:

Clearly, not good. Has anyone else had this type of problem with their switchback LEDs? I'm trying to determine if it's a product defect or if there is another cause for this failure.

Dave

Nut_N_Much · 06-05-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MX52Z

I know bro, been there, done that. Always opt for a single, million Watt single bulb than a tower of a bazillion little LEDs trying to act as one. A single failure means the whole tower of complexity is screwed.

Not really blaming folks though because technology changes over time. Yesterday's 40-SMD wonderbulbs have given way to today's single-chip SMD, 10W beasts.

Fountainhead · 06-06-2013, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave N

Murphy's law.....

I noticed my left DRL wasn't working last Friday and decided to pull the bulb to check it out. Coincidentally, I had my brother check his car and found that he had no DRL or turn signal on his right side.

After removing my bulb, we didn't see anything abnormal but the circuit checked out OK. Not wanting to chance anything, I plugged the factory incandescent bulb in and every worked fine.

When we pulled my brother's LED, this is what we found:

Clearly, not good. Has anyone else had this type of problem with their switchback LEDs? I'm trying to determine if it's a product defect or if there is another cause for this failure.

Dave

Hey Dave,
Please share your source with us so we can avoid the same issue!

Dave N · 06-06-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainhead

Hey Dave,
Please share your source with us so we can avoid the same issue!

Kaizenmotor on eBay 7441 Dual Color No Error High Power Projector LED Turn Lights Resistors 7W 68C | eBay(it was listed earlier in this thread). I'll chime back in with the results of our attempts to return and get a refund.

Fountainhead · 06-07-2013, 07:10 AM

Hi Dave,
Usually a hot spot like that indicates a poor connection that under high current heats up and burns the plastic. Of course this assumption is because if it were the LED that failed the melt damage would have been farther up and more widespread. If you don't return for warranty take it apart carefully and see what failed.

DIGItonium · 06-07-2013, 07:17 AM

Bend those wires out and pull the LED out. Most of those cheap bulbs use components that are not appropriately spec'd, so it will burn up. With high power LEDs my power drivers are too big to cram in the little bulbs so I wire it externally which is in line with the wire harness.

MavRick · 06-07-2013, 06:08 PM

finally found the time to install em...

'preciate the DIY, w3r3wolf!!!

jgvill · 06-21-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave N

I've done this set up on three cars (mine included). I'm working on an installation write up (with pics) and hope to have it ready to publish within the next week or so depending on my work schedule.

Stay tuned....

Standing by for that install write up w/ pics

TheW3r3W0lf · 07-01-2013, 10:49 AM

Just an update.. LED's are all working great. I am always weary of aftermarket electronics but so far so good. I did find that the DRL are a bit unfocused so at night they seem to be a bit annoying for oncoming traffic. I did swap out the rear turn signals for LED's and had to install additional resistors due to fast blink.

Dave N · 07-01-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgvill

Standing by for that install write up w/ pics

Working on the draft - just been really busy at work. Stay tuned.

UNKNOWN_370 · 07-01-2013, 01:11 PM

Looks awesome op. Best DIY i seen in a while.

05-30-2013, 12:19 AM	#46 (permalink)
synolimit A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 5,051 Drives: 2013 Silver 370z Rep Power: 3388	Nice mod! Wow those thing aren't cheap. __________________ 13 370z-

05-31-2013, 04:54 PM	#47 (permalink)
Dave N Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 123 Drives: '12 PW 6M & 90 Z32TT Rep Power: 13	I've done this set up on three cars (mine included). I'm working on an installation write up (with pics) and hope to have it ready to publish within the next week or so depending on my work schedule. White LED as DRL: Amber LED turn signal (a bit washed out from the overhead light glare): Overhead view (I was trying to capture the left turn signal but the shutter snapped between blinks): And if there's any SoCal people wanting this done but too afraid to do it themselves, feel free to contact me for a quote. Stay tuned.... Last edited by Dave N; 05-31-2013 at 08:22 PM. Reason: Text correction.

05-31-2013, 09:45 PM	#48 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 29	Yea I did this 2 years ago works real good the switchback bulbs also work good Beware if all of a sudden your parking lights /turn signals stop working then you blew a fuse in the IPDM. __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

06-01-2013, 10:01 AM	#49 (permalink)
///PureSwank Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Earth Posts: 954 Drives: 2009 370z Rep Power: 14	Why does nissan install those shitty azz yellow lights I hate that. Looks nasty as hell. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2 __________________

06-07-2013, 07:10 AM	#54 (permalink)
Fountainhead Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: FL Posts: 834 Drives: 2019 Civic Type R Rep Power: 14	Daytime Running Lights + Switchback LED’s Hi Dave, Usually a hot spot like that indicates a poor connection that under high current heats up and burns the plastic. Of course this assumption is because if it were the LED that failed the melt damage would have been farther up and more widespread. If you don't return for warranty take it apart carefully and see what failed. Last edited by Fountainhead; 06-07-2013 at 07:13 AM.

06-03-2013, 01:40 PM	#50 (permalink)
Dave N Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 123 Drives: '12 PW 6M & 90 Z32TT Rep Power: 13	Murphy's law..... I noticed my left DRL wasn't working last Friday and decided to pull the bulb to check it out. Coincidentally, I had my brother check his car and found that he had no DRL or turn signal on his right side. After removing my bulb, we didn't see anything abnormal but the circuit checked out OK. Not wanting to chance anything, I plugged the factory incandescent bulb in and every worked fine. When we pulled my brother's LED, this is what we found: Clearly, not good. Has anyone else had this type of problem with their switchback LEDs? I'm trying to determine if it's a product defect or if there is another cause for this failure. Dave

06-07-2013, 07:17 AM	#55 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Bend those wires out and pull the LED out. Most of those cheap bulbs use components that are not appropriately spec'd, so it will burn up. With high power LEDs my power drivers are too big to cram in the little bulbs so I wire it externally which is in line with the wire harness. __________________

06-07-2013, 06:08 PM	#56 (permalink)
MavRick Base Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: atlanta Posts: 66 Drives: 2010 Roadster 6MT Rep Power: 12	finally found the time to install em... 'preciate the DIY, w3r3wolf!!! TheW3r3W0lf likes this. __________________ Miss you, Pops...

07-01-2013, 10:49 AM	#58 (permalink)
TheW3r3W0lf Base Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 111 Drives: 2012 Z34 Nismo- SOLD Rep Power: 12	Just an update.. LED's are all working great. I am always weary of aftermarket electronics but so far so good. I did find that the DRL are a bit unfocused so at night they seem to be a bit annoying for oncoming traffic. I did swap out the rear turn signals for LED's and had to install additional resistors due to fast blink.

07-01-2013, 01:11 PM	#60 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	Looks awesome op. Best DIY i seen in a while. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

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