LED headlamp strips

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dmitche
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:51 am

I've been seeing this trend with LED light strips that are on during the daytime on newer cars and I kinda like them. Been looking around and getting ideas for the Kizashi such as this: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Li ... 7AodyTwAbw

Anyone else do this with their Kizashi? if so, products/tips to recommend?
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LPSISRL
Posts: 991
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:49 pm

Need to see this thread...

http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... f=28&t=427
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PittsburghJoe
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:55 pm

dmitche wrote:I've been seeing this trend with LED light strips that are on during the daytime on newer cars and I kinda like them. Been looking around and getting ideas for the Kizashi such as this: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Li ... 7AodyTwAbw

Anyone else do this with their Kizashi? if so, products/tips to recommend?
I have them mounted above my headlights. I just bought cheap $5 strips from ebay. (then again I have to replace one side or the other every 6 months.) I'd go for more expensive but I don't know if that would solve the problem. I always get one clump of 3 that goes out every 6 months.
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SamirD
Posts: 3074
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:07 pm
Location: HSV and SFO
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PittsburghJoe wrote:I just bought cheap $5 strips from ebay.
I think that's the problem. You do get what you pay for up to a certain point. I'd try using a more reputable source as I'm sure they'll last longer. 8-)
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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

A lot of those LED strips are designed to run on 12V. The problem is when you hook them up in a car the LED's are subjected to over 14V when the engine is running. (I've had similar problems at home with a solar system running 5050 LED strips. They're fine when the batteries aren't on charge, but quickly get "fried" if they're operated during the day when the panels are charging the battery at around 14.3V).
David
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PittsburghJoe
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:55 pm

murcod wrote:A lot of those LED strips are designed to run on 12V. The problem is when you hook them up in a car the LED's are subjected to over 14V when the engine is running. (I've had similar problems at home with a solar system running 5050 LED strips. They're fine when the batteries aren't on charge, but quickly get "fried" if they're operated during the day when the panels are charging the battery at around 14.3V).
So what's the solution then? I assume even the more expensive versions are also designed to run on 12v as well and would have the same problem. Although elctricity is not my strong suit.
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murcod
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Australia

You'd need to drop the voltage somehow- possibly a simple resistor would work. Or something like this:
http://www.dx.com/p/mini-dc-dc-voltage- ... red-126106
David
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5276
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

I think a resistor is a good idea, but I really think the quality of the LEDs is the main factor here. LEDs are not all equal. Having had experience with cheaper LEDs from ebay that flicker and junk out in a few weeks/months vs. high quality ones that last for years, I can tell you that you get what you pay for.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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PittsburghJoe
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:55 pm

KuroNekko wrote:I think a resistor is a good idea, but I really think the quality of the LEDs is the main factor here. LEDs are not all equal. Having had experience with cheaper LEDs from ebay that flicker and junk out in a few weeks/months vs. high quality ones that last for years, I can tell you that you get what you pay for.
Any recommendations on where to buy them? The ones I buy look great until they fail. Everything on ebay looks exactly the same to me minus the price. I'm worried I'll buy something more expensive and it will be the same junk for 4x the money.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5276
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Though I have not personally been their customer, other members here and on other car forums recommend http://www.superbrightleds.com/

The LEDs I have were bought in a store in Japan and I've only used them as position bulbs (the little bulbs under the high beam bulbs in the headlight). I have not modified interior lights nor added any LED strips.
I've returned my LED conversion kit that I used to have as DRL/high beams due to incompatibility issues with the Kizashi's DRL system.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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