Projector Lens Headlight Alteration

[mikealder]

Not a difficult job to carry out but it does take a little time, the end result being quite unique:

Firstly a collection of different LEDs, relays and some resistors:


Taking the headlight to bits isn't difficult, seven spring clips releases the glass lens then you pop out the black plastic liner to get at the translucent round lens surrounding the projector lens:



A couple of blobs of clear silicon sealant will secure it in place:



Pop the round disk back in and connect the wires to the sidelight cables within the headlight assembly



Next up is the long strips of white LEDs, these are flexible and difficult to secure in place while you wait for the araldite to cure so I used a few pegs as clamps, worked really well



The end result in daylight:


Something else has been bugging me for a while with the front indicators, each connector has three wires going to it:



Even the connector on the end of the wires has three pins



But the indicator bulb housing is only wired for two



So I purchased some American Volvo indicator bulb holders which are wired for all three along with some "Switch-Back" White/ Yellow LEDs.



The LEDs fit in the holders really easy, the holders go in to the indicator housing really easy:



With the indicator on the side that is flashing the white portion of the SwitchBack LED is extinguished leaving just orange light:



Cancel the indicator and the SwitchBack reverts to bright white for use as DRL



The bulb holders were wired differently to what I required so a few wires were swapped about to get it working correctly:



Something different, but doing this SwitchBack modification does require adding four relays and messing with the wiring to the indicator stalk - It is more involved than simply swapping out the bulb holders - Mike

[kevvydude]

hi mike ,where did you get the led "angel eyes please", looks good, dont think i,ll do the indicator upgrade, happy with mine,

[christheancient]

Hi Mike

Neat write up/pictures.

Thing against it for me would be the 'angel eyes' - purely because of who used them first! I'd hate aanybody would think I'm driving a beemer.

[kevvydude]

found them on ebay, please could you tell me the diameter as would like to get all the bits before i strip headlights out, many tnx

[mikealder]

80MM 24 Surface Mount 12V LED rings off e-bay cost about £4 each - Mike

[Thanatos]

the rings came from

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2613640419...84.m1439.l2649

[kevvydude]

many tnx mike, looking frward to doing this mod

[MikeS100]

Looks really good, I bet you're well pleased with that. How well do they show up at a distance in daylight? I want something really bright, like the led strips you get on new cars, something that's going to make sure I'm seen.

[john493]

After finding that the type Mike has used didn't last well (I didn't fit any resistors mind but they're supposed to be 12 volt) I've had these strips on mine for a couple of months now.
Fed via (32 ohm from memory) resistors to get the current down to about
150mA and they're still very bright. Also shunted them with a 2.2mfd capacitor in an effort to take out any spikes - so far so good.
They look yellow when switched off.
Fitted without the original side light plastic lens.
I like the angel eyes idea - might try that next.