Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Normally, the power for the fog light comes from the switch on the dash, through the fog light relay coil, then through the high beam filament to ground (and back to the battery via the chassis).

Between the fog light and the high beam filament is another (hot) wire connected to the high beam switch. When that high beam switch is closed, voltage is equal on BOTH sides of the fog light relay coil - NO difference in potential - and current through the relay coil stops and the fog light circuit opens. The path for high beam current comes directly from that high beam switch to the wire connected between the fog relay and the high beam filaments.

The substitution of an LED in place of the high beam filament changes the scheme significantly by increasing the resistance in the circuit significantly.

LEDs draw a tiny fraction of the current of their FILAMENT counterpart. And, their (forward direction) opposition to current flow (i.e., "impedance") is very low; so low that additional resistance or a current regulator is typically installed in series with the LED to allow it to work within its limited (current) parameters.

It is that current limiting additional resistance necessary for the LED that causes a problem for the fog lights. Where the headlight filament resistance may have been less than 10Ω to ground, the resistance in the LED path may be several 100s of ohms!

Solution: either install a (LOAD) resistor to ground with similar impedance as the original filament the LED replaced, OR provide a alternate path to ground for the fog light filament (relay).

LOAD resistor:

Restores the original control and functionality of the lights
Generates significant heat that has to be dissipated, when the high beams are on.
Adds external connections that are exposed to the outside environment

Alternate ground for the fog light relay:

Compared to the OE configuration, it reduces overall current draw when the high beams are ON
Results in the fog lights remaining ON along with the high beams*.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Paul,

My question had to do w the utility of having the fogs on while driving w Hi Beams. Does it really make a difference when driving?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Another new LED headlight product that should work for our cars. At $54.99 each, a real bargain!

Anyone willing to experiment?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Xprite-60W...ZZLzX-&vxp=mtr

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Not a fan of the Lighted LED LEGO in the DRL mode yikes ! I hope Hansen gets these again everything is on backorder currently. GC

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Roadster, I never really answered your question.. Look at Paul's post 4-5 above mine, talking about how the fog lights and headlights work. my thing was to move the wire and add a relay I posted back a few pages, this will then detect when the high beam is on and use the relay to open the fog light circuit, turning the fog lights off when the high beams are on. then when low beams are on, the fog lights are on.

My biggest thing was to remove the load, yes our cars are fine with the OEM load, but any load I can remove at night is better, I will do the Relay mod when I pull the dash pad this winter, as I am doing other things too. this will prep me for LED headlights.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

No problem Jeff......just went out to the garage and tested.......
Park lights on....fog lights will turn on or off....
Headlights on....fog lights will turn on or off....
High Beams on.....fog lights will not turn on with switch.....if fog lights are on with low beam and switched to high beam....fog lights will automatically turn off and come back on when switched back to low beam....
IMO with these new headlights.....I don't feel the need for the use of the fog lights when using the high beams anyway as these are very bright.....very satisfied with the purchase.....:-D

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I forget did you buy genssi or Larsen?


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Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I went with Larsen.....again very satisfied.....and the resistor works great....no cutting into any wires.....worked well for me....

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

relay or resistor?

just confirming, my relay solution either cuts or moves a wire

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I went with Larsen as well I used the plug in adapter that superbrightleds sells. My foglight do not work with the high beams on. However the light from the LEDs are so superior I'm not really sure if that its really a problem. Also I test fit one of the LED headlights without the adapter and both lights new and old worked like they should. Not even sure if I needed it Jeff

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

My mistake.....meant to say resistor....corrected above....

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Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Thanks Tom,

Absolutely the lights should work as OEM with the Resistor.. glad everyone likes them.. currently they are on back order

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Jeff, I have an extra resistor, as you know they are only sold in pairs and you only need one.....it's yours if you like.....PM me your info and I'll send it out to you......my treat......just in time for Halloween!!!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Thanks for the offer Tom.. I might take you up on that in case my relay scheme does not work

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

After waiting a couple years for the cream to come to the top (I hope), I pulled the trigger on a pair. In that time, there are a lot of companies offering LED headlights, a few good ones, and some...not so good. Prices are all over the map!

I went with the same light package and cut-off patern that Larsen sells; the same style that locobob installed, but from another re-seller (Larsen was out of stock - has been for a while too. Larsen, Genssi, Oracle, SBL, Amazon..).

The lights I ordered also also has the CREE XM L2 LED chip set in them (as well?), (i.e., the latest power, color, life expectancy ratings). And, the reflector(s) produce the sharp cut-off drive line I was looking for.

I also bought a pair (2 pair) of load resistors (2 cars) some time ago; before someone said "only one is required". That may be:confused:, but I wanna look at the schematic again before I do go with just one. (I might have a couple, heat-sinked load resistors to offer!)

Well, I'm "looking forward"! (pun intended!!:p)

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

got a name for them? link perhaps?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Yes. (see link below)

A rose by any other name... Same light as the LARSEN (package), Genssi, and several others. It's the chipset and the cutoff line these have that is what I boiled it all down to.

The first pair sold out, but when they came back in stock, they were apparently upgraded to the next CREE LED chipset. More power.

I bought these on Amazon, $119 ea. (I'll either have them installed for the Friday pizza gathering, or bring them w/ me to "show and tell".)

Also, I have a couple "spare" LOAD RESISTORS, which substitute for the high beam filament (path to ground). I was thinking the setup required 2, one for each headlight. But, apparently, only one is necessary for the fog light relay to work.

Note: For those wondering, the two options are 1) GROUND the fog light relay, or 2) insert a LOAD RESISTOR at the sealed beam connector.

Grounding the fog light relay results in the fog lights being turned ON any time the fog light switch is ON - regardless of whether the high beams are on or not. IF the fog lights do not have a cutoff drive line, and are bright (which mine ARE), obviously that can become an issue for on-coming traffic.

Inserting a LOAD resistor replaces the low resistance (to ground) of the high beam filament, thus maintaining the original fog lights OFF mode when the high beams are ON.

(link to Amazon)

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I haven't seen that particular LED, but a number of the cheaper LED/Sealed Beam replacements DO NOT have a sharp cutoff/drive line as others. They might be suitable for off-road apps, but may not be DOT certified LED lights. Those that are and that I'm aware cost significantly more $$.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I just bought this pair for my son 96 GS as well Paul. They look identical to the Larsen units. GC

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Well second set is in. They are identical to the ones I received from Larsen and the same part number and in the same boxes as pictured by Locobob.

No more speculation ='s same manufacturer. GC

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Is it possible they’re blems or seconds? Or is diff in price just greed?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Mine (2nd set) are coming today from Amazon, the Larsgensuperblazerlaser (same package and CREE chipset) $119.00 ea. Time permitting, I'll have them installed at the FBI pizza gathering tonite.

I suspect because they're the very latest there maybe competition among re-sellers? I see up to $100+ variation for what appears to be the same package and chip set.

AND, depending on how the fog lights are wired, they may be left on when the high beams are ON, or not. Then there is the turn signal lights and hazards to consider.

LOAD resistors or (no load) LED relays or a combination of the two...is where I'm at...for the moment.

It's all pretty simple, really; once you lay it out. But, there are a lot of places to waste money and end up with...issues. There are 18 (if I counted right) exterior filaments, and some interact with one another, and some provide the necessary paths to ground for others.

It's the makings for a HOTB article, ya think?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I don't think so. Anythings possible but they are in the identical retail box

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I would suggest teaming up with -=JEFF=- since he has a plug and play solution for the side markers for that article

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Or they could be the world famous Chinese knock off's!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I actually have to agree with Bigjohn.. LOL

That was my exact thoughts as well


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Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Yep, saw Paul for pizza and discussed this very topic


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Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

They all come from China John....

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Well there are Quality made parts and there are inferior made knock offs! Which one would you rather purchase?

:confused:

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

As usual you are missing the point.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

No it is either your arrogance or your ignorance preventing you from even understand my point !

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Everything comes from China these days John and everything no matter were it comes from is of dubious quality. Even replacement GM parts from Mexico and Taiwan. And that John is the point. There really is no arugment......

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Hey, Mystic ZR-1 aren't you glad you didn't muck up your ZR-1 with all these inferior LED lights?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

WTF are you talking about? Muck up? Seriously? Since you stated you are older than dirt, you probably grew up in the era where children were seen and not heard and that you also were told if you cannot say anything nice. Don’t say(or type) anything at all


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Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Well GOLDCYLON just said; (everything is of dubious quality)!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

The Technology is sound. The quality in the worldwide market place is of dubious quality.


I'm done here. Nothing like having to continually explain and also understand for folks who enjoy trolling.


Wait for the forthcoming article hopefully in the next HOTB. This thread is done.