DIY LED daytime running lights

[Wwissman]

I just installed the LED lights connecting them to the parking light wires on my '94. I've not had experience with auto electronics. Where is the best location to connect the LED to the lead wire from the parking lights?

I'm sure my method of connecting just outside of the parking light assembly was not the ideal location.

I also noticed for the 1st time that both my front parking lights and turn signals are amber. I seem to remember that my '93 NSX had white parking lights and Amber signals. I think the parking lights look better white.

 

[NormRD]

I just installed the LED lights connecting them to the parking light wires on my '94. I've not had experience with auto electronics. Where is the best location to connect the LED to the lead wire from the parking lights?

I'm sure my method of connecting just outside of the parking light assembly was not the ideal location.

I also noticed for the 1st time that both my front parking lights and turn signals are amber. I seem to remember that my '93 NSX had white parking lights and Amber signals. I think the parking lights look better white.

I added metal tabs on to the LED wires and then plugged them directly into the parking light connector. On both my 92 and 96 the parking lights were white.

 

[Wwissman]

So your LED lights became your new parking lights and you eliminated the factory parking light all together?

 

[NormRD]

So your LED lights became your new parking lights and you eliminated the factory parking light all together?

Correct, you can see this in the pictures I posted.

 

[vf2ss]

Just another source for performing this easy mod pretty much at your front door...was walking through Autozone today and saw this brand new item...

<img src="http://www.vf2ss.com/transfer/ledparking/box.jpg" border="0"/>

Side emitting LED's in what looks to be 6500K-ish (aka cool white), self adhesive bottoms, 12V and 28" for only $24.99.
This is two 14" in strips that will span the entire length of the bottom of the parking light housing.

<img src="http://www.vf2ss.com/transfer/ledparking/lit.jpg" border="0"/>

This kit along with those male clips from radio shack (post#48), a 6" phillips plus 30 minutes and your done.

 

[Oyagi]

The 2rows look good on photo not sure for real.

:biggrin:

 

[apkarian100]

You have to be careful about Autozone parts. The parts might look good, but the quality isn't always there. I trust oznium.com, but not so much autozone.

Just another source for performing this easy mod pretty much at your front door...was walking through Autozone today and saw this brand new item...

This kit along with those male clips from radio shack (post#48), a 6" phillips plus 30 minutes and your done.

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[Sparkman]

So you actually take the light fixture out, attach then to the bottom of the light fixture and then reinstall the light fixture back into the bumper.

I was wondering if there is adequate room to run the strip all the way around the light fixture, or maybe even just a strip along the bottom and top. The diagram shows that the lip goes all the way around, so maybe it could fit. The additional lights would make them more visible during the day, and maybe better DRLs'

 

[Rob4092xx]

I cannot say for sure....I only did the bottom. I didn't think putting two rows on each light would look right unless they were mounted inside the housing.

I was wondering if there is adequate room to run the strip all the way around the light fixture, or maybe even just a strip along the bottom and top. The diagram shows that the lip goes all the way around, so maybe it could fit. The additional lights would make them more visible during the day, and maybe better DRLs'

 

[NormRD]

Correct, the recess I used tapers off at the end so don't think you could go all the way around the housing.

 

[Sparkman]

Correct, the recess I used tapers off at the end so don't think you could go all the way around the housing.

Got it! Do you think there is adequate clearance to run one row on top and one on the bottom?

 

[vf2ss]

Got it! Do you think there is adequate clearance to run one row on top and one on the bottom?

I wouldn't say you'd have adequate clearance, however, it will fit. Recall that the front bumper is flexible and can easily be pushed another eighth of an inch up or down to handle it, but it won't slide in and out easily as it's barely just right with one led strip. You will have to be pushing down (and/or up) on the bumper housing opening to shimmy it in there. To see what I mean, go test it by pushing up or down near the housing and you will see that you could fit for example a ruler both above and below the parking light housing.

In regards to your purpose in doing this which is to make them more visible during the day, my opinion is that it's not going to do what you think it is going to do. When it's overcast or dawn, dusk, night, etc. it will look killer, but during pure daylight you will only see 2 rows of faint white dashes. To better explain this, imagine that an LED the size of dime is masked by an opaque barrier only allowing light to penetrate through a hole the size of a rice grain. It's the same brightness, but a much smaller area...this is what's happening here, don't get me wrong these LED strips are bright, but not big enough to contrast the sunlight that well due to small surface area. Again, it is solely the result of the sheer size, or should I say lack there of (≈.10"), that makes them more like a white dot (albeit bright) in comparison to a larger LED which can better contrast the daylight.

 

[Sparkman]

I wouldn't say you'd have adequate clearance, however, it will fit. Recall that the front bumper is flexible and can easily be pushed another eighth of an inch up or down to handle it, but it won't slide in and out easily as it's barely just right with one led strip. You will have to be pushing down (and/or up) on the bumper housing opening to shimmy it in there. To see what I mean, go test it by pushing up or down near the housing and you will see that you could fit for example a ruler both above and below the parking light housing.

In regards to your purpose in doing this which is to make them more visible during the day, my opinion is that it's not going to do what you think it is going to do. When it's overcast or dawn, dusk, night, etc. it will look killer, but during pure daylight you will only see 2 rows of faint white dashes. To better explain this, imagine that an LED the size of dime is masked by an opaque barrier only allowing light to penetrate through a hole the size of a rice grain. It's the same brightness, but a much smaller area...this is what's happening here, don't get me wrong these LED strips are bright, but not big enough to contrast the sunlight that well due to small surface area. Again, it is solely the result of the sheer size, or should I say lack there of (≈.10"), that makes them more like a white dot (albeit bright) in comparison to a larger LED which can better contrast the daylight.

Yup. So like most things in life - size matters!:biggrin: Thanks for the explanation.

 

[warrenw]

A word of warning.....

I just received my Oznium LED strips today.

These are made of the cheapest plastics known to man.
Arrived in my mail box. Temperature outside was -20C (-4F). One was shattered like glass. Once warm the plastic seems very pliable. Very poor plastic.
Oznium ships in a bubble envelope. Not good enough to make the trip.

 

[Sir Stunna Lot]

using 24" side emitting led from oznium

 

[AR]

Is there a new requirement for US cars, or did you guys liked the looks of the Audi R8?

 

[Sir Stunna Lot]

A word of warning.....

I just received my Oznium LED strips today.

These are made of the cheapest plastics known to man.
Arrived in my mail box. Temperature outside was -20C (-4F). One was shattered like glass. Once warm the plastic seems very pliable. Very poor plastic.
Oznium ships in a bubble envelope. Not good enough to make the trip.

one of my strip had 3 bad diodes... they are sending me a replacement asap at no charge

 

[Sir Stunna Lot]

Is there a new requirement for US cars, or did you guys liked the looks of the Audi R8?

we just like LED's!!! :tongue: