MR Works - F.A.Q "Frequently Ask Questions!"

[Ryan@MRWorks]

Due to customer request we have compiled a list of questions that our clients have asked and mentioned over and over again. This will reduce the repetitive questions we have had to answer multiple times. Please stay posted as we are adding more to our customer line up. This will be constantly changed as the work builds new questions will always arise.

MR Works - F.A.Q. (FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS)

Q & A

QUESTION: Can you work on vinyl protected headlights? The film that was used on the lights is the same as what they used on the paint to protect from road debris. It's a Venture Sheild material (Venture Sheild is owned by 3M) and I was told the thickness is about 8.5 mil or .25mm.

Answer: Yes, we can and that’s a real great investment you have for your headlights you are a wise man. Not many opt to getting the protection as it is expensive. The protection does wonders. I know for a fact driving from Florida to California show to show without one stone chip or damage.

QUESTION: Do you use Audi L.E.D's?

Answer: No, we are using L.E.Ds that are used for typical automobile application like many other companies. They are like Audi's L.E.D but not Audi's. Obviously, we are not Audi nor do we compare to them. We have been using l.e.d lighting in my headlights for quite a few years now without a problem. We also have custom halo’s on both of my retrofitted projectors on my vehicle along with a custom horizontal DRL l.e.d strip that we use and run some basic wedged piranha bulbs honestly they have been no problem during different temperatures. We have not noticed any impact and I’ve been in the car scene for quite some time. We have driven to many car shows with my vehicle outdoors, indoors, daytime, and nighttime. My driving experience with l.e.d lighting has been in short and long distances travels sometimes in the cold rain, searing hot sun in Arizona, Las Vegas, & Texas, and even in the Ice cold snow Idaho and San Bernardino. My travel times with the l.e.d’s on at one trip ranged anywhere from 30 minutes to 16 hours on and off. I’ve been around the nation competing in the car scene with LEDs so this is just from my own experience. Until now the same L.E.D setup I have on my halos are still running.
QUESTION:Can you guarantee no leaks, what are the enviromental factors regarding L.E.D's use in headlights?

Answer: Many companies and who get headlight work done have serious product issues due to problems with seal, moisture, issues which can prematurely cause l.e.d failure. Environmental factors can also cause problems such as weather and the change in temperatures can change the way an L.E.D operates or even change the color output for brief moments. This is typical of any l.e.d. but I have yet noticed a drastic impact from firsthand experience. A little off topic as a side note have you ever seen when a dying H.I.D bulb is about to go bad? The color changes may be quick to warm up during different temperatures this is a normal reaction.
With any electronic part they run off specific parameters for different applications.

QUESTION: Where do you get your L.E.D's?

Answer: The L.E.D’s provided by our supplier offer a high temperature and high moisture resistance performance in lighting and illumination applications. Our suppliers sort them out and place them into performance bins. Once they arrive to us we make sure to double check that they are working properly before we even start building any circuit. There are so many criteria’s that have to be met. We have many different types of L.E.Ds that we use ranging from single multi color l.e.ds, to high output, standard flat, round, large, oval shaped, small, waterproof etc. When choosing an L.E.D we consider the variables we are working with.

For example, for functionality the landing strip area was used as we had to consider the total output of light needed and proper angle l.e.d. to do the job. Our L.E.D’s are bright and can highly be seen in daytime this adds the safety to a vehicle much like your standard DRL connected externally to the weather proof parking light output harness. The difference between the standard DRL that uses a conventional bulb is that we are using L.E.D’s that provides less power consumption.

The standard DRL conventional bulb consumes more power than any other exterior lighting application. Our L.E.D’s are installed to reduce blinding opposing traffic with maximum output by incorrect angle installation which is dangerous. We keep everything we do real subtle and clean for daily use. Due to the nature of U.S. laws especially in California’s everything we create is for (off road use) only. The color output of our L.E.D’s are exactly the O.E.M color of the H.I.D. producing a natural light output color to blend the L.E.Ds with the H.I.D’s if powered together once the low beams are turned on.

Any automotive used L.E.D it’s not new technology I will admit but I will tell you the L.E.Ds we have selected have been used by tons of companies, people are using the standard 5mm sized LED's for custom applications they come in various sizes, shapes, and specs, as stated before to light up the headlight to provide reduce power output, safety, and Although many companies may claim they are using Audi R8’s l.e.ds this is untrue. Without rambling too much about Audi who knows precisely how they create a sophisticated product and yet have a few minor kinks? They are still on top of the game in my book.

Have you noticed the Lexus LS600h the headlights are gorgeous and Escalade Platinum have L.E.D headlights as well. L.E.D headlights have been used in the past it’s just now starting to get noticed due to the advancements in technology. L.E.D headlights are paving the way to the future and becoming more of a standard option. I would love to own an Audi R8 one day and so would Marco that’s his next car. I am sure those who own those cars will suffer once a damaged LED or headlight accidently breaks it will cost more to replace. Ironically, I don’t know yet if I’d buy a car of that nature I’m still waiting for the bugs to get sorted out myself. The other day the Self leveling projector lenses on my brother in laws Subaru STI went dead and boy oh boy what a day Subaru had with him. Thank god Nissan 370z did something right by keeping that adaptive stuff out of these headlights or it would be a miserable costly fix in the long run when the motors go bad. Sometimes re-inventing the wheel has its downsides. I can go on and on…

QUESTION:I don't know much technical info about LED's but I’ve heard they are sensitive to temperature. I hear for lighting in a home environment they are fine because the temp is pretty stable, but on cars there is a big varience. I think Audi has had some problems with theirs going out although I don't know how the size or type compared to what you guys use. But they are an OEM so you'd think they have their crap together (although VW electronics don't have the best rep lol).

Answer: As stated earlier - LED Environmental Factors
Although temperature plays the most critical role in LED lifespan, numerous other variables also play a part. Yet another consideration includes the environment in which the lighting application will operate. Ambient temperature is always a factor, primarily in applications exposed to fluctuating environmental factors. High ambient temperatures and humidity can potentially lead to a reduction in lifespan. For example, consider an LED lighting application designed to produce a 200-lumen output. Twenty surface mount LEDs will meet this criterion, but only while operating at or below the specified ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. When employed within an environment as hot as 40 degree ambient, thermal stresses may dramatically reduce LED life and reliability. Increased ambient temperatures will also adversely affect luminous output. The solution is to reduce the drive current and increase the total number of LEDs within the array.

If you’ve had a chance to look at the interior components that make the 370z headlight it’s very simple. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed the 370z has an interior circuit board powering the two corner ambers in your headlight assembly these are stock 5mm standard OEM l.e.ds soldered on a board with three resistors and a harness clip. Even Nissan is playing the L.E.D. game the interior headlight assembly is a safe place to mount L.E.D’s.

QUESTION: How were the LED's selected on your kit, are they rated a certain way that makes them better for automotive use or for various temps? How long are they expected to last? I'm just asking because it looks good and I know I'll be interested at some point. I had LED angel eyes on my M3 for about a year and they were fine.

Answer: SELECTION PROCESS
Basically, our selection process was done by some simple basic electrical calculations and by some convenient facts as stated above. Most common problems I’ve seen 99% of the time when an LED is "out" it is something like the wiring, soldering, or something else that is causing it - not the LED itself. They really are quite reliable. Due to the nature of how L.E.Ds are used and wired nobody can give an actual precise length of life but can give you an estimated life. L.E.D life rating varies but the longevity of l.e.ds listed by Manufacturers must stop quoting life expectancy based on how long the semiconductor junction may act as a diode, or how long the junction will emit UV light, it’s important companies publishing accurate graphs showing visible light output over time.

Using a formula called OHMS law you can preserve components from premature failure very easily. If you follow the guidelines to the characteristics of the l.e.d it will last a very long time. Some basic electrical for example, you want to wire a few l.e.ds together to a 12v source such as your automobile. Select the l.e.d you want to use. If wiring in series, two very simple things to know is (1) the forward voltage of the l.e.d and (2) the amount of current to operate the l.e.d. First subtract the LED's forward voltage from 12 volts. Then, you take the result, and divide that by the LED's operating current. The number you have left is the number of ohms of resistance you will need in order to safely connect your LED. If you get a number for which you don't have a resistor, you can use slightly higher resistor. If you don't even have one close, you can use resistors in combination to get the proper value. - Simple.
Another Example (Landing Strip): Such as the landing strip. Without turning this into a DIY mainly you don’t want your L.E.D pointing the wrong direction, consuming too much power causing battery drains, or incorrectly wiring causing short circuits. Here’s our specs to how we have that setup wired considering you have a fully charged at 1 battery:
9 L.E.D’s in the landing strip this is a 3 x 3 array and uses 9 LEDs exactly.


each 150 ohm resistor dissipates 93.75 mW
1/4W resistors are use
•resistors dissipate 281.25 mW
•the diodes dissipate 720 mW
•total power dissipated by the array is 1001.25 mW
•this array diagram draws current of 75 mA from the source.


QUESTION: Lifespan?

Answer: As long as the L.E.D is not overly heated during soldering and limited to 20ma of current the l.e.d should last a long time visa versa if operating over 20ma of current the life will be shorter. We make sure to heat at the proper temperature and time precisely since this is vital to the L.E.D’s life. One thing that has a direct impact on an LED's life expectancy is the current it draws. If operating an LED at reduced current, it’s is extended even further remember adding more resistance in the example above. At greatly reduced levels, it can last almost indefinitely. Take into consideration the MCD of the led as well. A traditional light bulb has reached the end of its life when the filament breaks. As we all know, the light output goes to zero when this event occurs. The white LED life behaves much differently! As it ages, the light output slowly and continuously decreases as the LED lamp losses efficiency. The light emitting diode has reached the end of its life when its light output reaches 50% of the rated luminous output, not when it reaches zero. This is the industry standard used for determining white LED lifespan, as well as other colors. The disadvantage of this standard is that the average person cannot judge when the LED light has reached the end of its life. The luminous output will diminish so gradually, most people do not even realize a loss has occurred.

Our round L.E.Ds offer superior light and the best viewing angle output for excellent readability in outdoor applications. The lamps are made with an advanced optical-grade epoxy that offers superior high-temperature and high-moisture resistance performance in outdoor sign and signal applications. The encapsulation resin contains UV inhibitors to minimize the effects of long-term exposure to direct sunlight, resulting in stable light output over the life of the LED. You’re typical L.E.D may last anywhere from 10,000 - 50,000 hours depending on the MCD rating. Furthermore, a person exposed to a particular LED light on a regular basis becomes less susceptible to its continuously decreasing output. Fortunately, the life of LED light bulb will last long enough that many will even outlive their applications in many situations. If none of the factors degrade the LED’s normal use as mentioned they can last a lifetime. If it makes you feel better we don’t use made in China or Taiwan L.E.D’s

We live in the electronic age and everything is controlled in some way or form electrically having a basic understanding of how things work can help answer many questions. I hope this breakdown explains enough to those with similar questions. We look forward to doing business with you.

QUESTION: Do you build other custom lights for other makes and models?

Answer: MRworks started off by doing modifications for the multiple cars. Slowly but surely, people started circulating pictures around the internet of our work and requests to get other vehicles done. This has been the method to which we've stuck. We'll continue to modify the lights we're known for, but if you have a project you don't see here, or have something else in mind that you'd like us to try or do, please send us an email or give us a call!

QUESTION: How do I order?

Answer: To make your order you can private message us at the370z.com at Marco@MRWorks, Ryan@MRWorks, or e-mail us at MRWorks858@gmail.com. If you have a custom design and don't see what you want or can't decide, please feel free to send us an email or for your request. We'll be happy to work with you on your request and give our best input on the modifications you might want. We accept paypal or certified money order for easy transactions, but if you have another method you'd like to use that is no problem. Every order is on a pre payed “deposit” basis so that we can make sure we have all the parts here and ready for you before your headlights arrive. This way your lights aren't sitting here not being worked on. In many cases, you will need to pre pay at least a week ahead of time because many of the materials takes anywhere from 7-15 days to arrive at our shop.

QUESTION: Is it street legal?

Answer: This is a question we get often. Are your products street legal? The answer is YES! Around the world, "most" laws are the same. For example, in CA you can only drive with white or amber on the front of your car laws differ state to state and out of the country. You'll notice that we build custom lights that come with many colors that are not factory options. When you select a modification that is a different color, it will come with a power and ground wire available in the back side of the headlight or whatever product you order. This is so that you can hook up an on/off switch so you don't have to have the various colors you choose on while your driving! Now you can drive safe but also flip the switch on while at car shows, meets, or just for fun when you want to show off your new MRWorks products. Street legal AND easy to use. Do you restrictions in other states we advertise our work for Off Road Use please check your local laws.

QUESTION: How do I install?

Answer: If the product you ordered has all white or amber LEDs, you'll be safe to drive with them turned on. In this case, we will wire the power and grounds right into the factory harness for you. This will mean your headlights are totally plug and play. You just swap out your old lights for our new lights and you're good to go. If you ordered something a little more complex, don't sweat it. Just a few power and ground wires to hook up should be easy enough for you or your local shop. If you still have trouble with it, give us a call! We'll help you out over the phone or email on how to do it. Or for those who don't trust anyone but us to do the install, we have on occasion made house calls. In other words, we'll fly out to your house and hand deliver your new product and even install it for you.

QUESTION: Ordering from overseas

Answer: No problem! Yes, we ship world wide! Australia, Japan, The Netherlands, Europe,.... Just be sure to let us know what you need by email and we'll gladly help you out and make sure you get the product you want. Buyer is responsible for shipping cost both ways internationally.

QUESTION: Ship Lights? Order a set?

Answer: Once a core set is available, once you have decided on style/options for your headlight, we can offer a straight core set swap. Once full payment is received, send your headlights to our shop, once the set is received, we swap the internal housings (takes approximately 3 hours) and ship back your headlights same day. This way you get all your original housing projectors/base/lens back, instead of taking the risk of receiving someone else’s headlight.

QUESTION: Prices & Quotes

Answer: As technology is constantly changing every day. We do not have a lot of prices available because there are just too many options we can provide that can change daily do to our suppliers. If you would like to know send us an email or give us a call.

QUESTION: Turn around time

Answer: MRWorks is proud to provide the fastest turnaround time in the market!! We guarantee a ONE DAY turnaround time once the headlight is received (for all options available from MRWorks). However, if headlight would work requires extensive custom work, turn around time will atke approximately 2-4 days. But for some of the more complex projects like adding projectors where there didn't use to be or building something out of scratch, this could take several weeks. If time is important to you, we will try our best to work around your schedule.

QUESTION: SPONSORSHIPS

Answer: Yes, we do offer partial/full sponsors!! Please email us (MRworks858@gmail.com) your current proposal/portfolio.

Ryan & Marco