Retrofit EX with SX LED headlights

[alexdrums]

Thanks for the update! Hopefully the connectors will arrive soon.

 

[machtig]

Still no connectors. They really are on a slow boat from China

 

[alexdrums]

Still no connectors. They really are on a slow boat from China

Thanks for the update. Still very interested!

 

[TFamilyMan]

Hi Machtig, I'm interested as well. I'd definitely pay you $100 to avoid the headache of splicing wires.

Great find on the conversion!

______________________________

 

[machtig]

Just got confirmation that the connectors have arrived at my local post office; I expect delivery tomorrow. That said I just realized I only ordered enough to build two sets of plug-and-play harnesses. But that is ok, as myself and another forum member are the only ones that have ordered in a pair of LED headlamps and I'd like to get mine (and his) installed and test them over a couple weeks to ensure there are no issues. By the time a new order of connectors arrives I'll be ready to build as many sets as necessary.

 

[machtig]

Getting close. Testing in progress.

 

[TFamilyMan]

Looks good so far. Your testing has convinced me 100%. To the point I just bought a pair of clean SX Led assemblies online. The wiring, wrap, and length is so professionally done. Plus you drafted out schematics. Are you an engineer by any chance?

 

[Marcus T]

Looks good so far. Your testing has convinced me 100%. To the point I just bought a pair of clean SX Led assemblies online. The wiring, wrap, and length is so professionally done. Plus you drafted out schematics. Are you an engineer by any chance?

Mind if I ask where you got them and how much you paid?

______________________________

 

[TFamilyMan]

Mind if I ask where you got them and how much you paid?

Sure, I bought it off eBay. Seller advised they were tested and functional. Paid about $850 for the set shipped. Just opened the box and they were clean and excellent condition. Wish I could test them though.

 

[machtig]

I’m still testing. Everything but low beams works flawlessly; I’m having an issue with the low beams flickering when the car is running. They don’t flicker when off. It’s likely going to require a load resistor and maybe a relay. I have some resistors coming today. More to follow.

 

[Kwim]

I’m still testing. Everything but low beams works flawlessly; I’m having an issue with the low beams flickering when the car is running. They don’t flicker when off. It’s likely going to require a load resistor and maybe a relay. I have some resistors coming today. More to follow.

resistors should correct the flicker.

 

[machtig]

I tried a number of resistors, none worked, which I’m ok with as they get very, very hot and finding a good location to mount them without burning down the Telly is problematic. So I bought a pair of voltage regulators that feed a constant 12V to the low beam headlamps. It’s working perfectly thus far. I still need to clean up the wiring and decide where they’ll be permanently mounted but want to ensure there continues to be no issues before I do that.

______________________________

 

[alexdrums]

I tried a number of resistors, none worked, which I’m ok with as they get very, very hot and finding a good location to mount them without burning down the Telly is problematic. So I bought a pair of voltage regulators that feed a constant 12V to the low beam headlamps. It’s working perfectly thus far. I still need to clean up the wiring and decide where they’ll be permanently mounted but want to ensure there continues to be no issues before I do that.

Great! How much do those voltage regulators run?

 

[machtig]

Great! How much do those voltage regulators run?

$30 each. They are rated for 6 amps, which is overkill as the lamps only draw ~2.8 amps. The 5 or even 4 amp models would also probably be fine and are ~$20 each. The Voltage regulator runs cool; only a few degrees above ambient. So can mount it pretty much anywhere.

 

[machtig]

I’m going to make a simple mount to bolt to the regulator and then use industrial strength double sided tape to mount it closer to the headlight and further away from the radiator; this will minimize heat transfer from the radiator to the regulator and allow me to shorten a few of the wires for a cleaner install. Once I iron out all the details I’ll include the regulators and mounting kit with the plug and play connectors so all one will have to do is plug in the connectors and mount the regulators to the metal cross bar just above the headlights (using only the double sided tape).

 

[GHT]

Good work! Thx

______________________________

 

[NDBlackEX]

Fantastic thread. Great work @machtig! For me, the amber LEDs were worth waiting for a 2021. I'm sure there are guys who are creaming in their jeans at just the thought of these in a non EX-P or higher!

 

[alexdrums]

Fantastic thread. Great work @machtig! For me, the amber LEDs were worth waiting for a 2021. I'm sure there are guys who are creaming in their jeans at just the thought of these in a non EX-P or higher!

Gross

 

[alexdrums]

I’m going to make a simple mount to bolt to the regulator and then use industrial strength double sided tape to mount it closer to the headlight and further away from the radiator; this will minimize heat transfer from the radiator to the regulator and allow me to shorten a few of the wires for a cleaner install. Once I iron out all the details I’ll include the regulators and mounting kit with the plug and play connectors so all one will have to do is plug in the connectors and mount the regulators to the metal cross bar just above the headlights (using only the double sided tape). View attachment 10788

How did the actual headlight install go? I saw you had to remove the front bumper.

 

[machtig]

How did the actual headlight install go? I saw you had to remove the front bumper.

to remove and install the actual headlamps it’s two bolts once the bumper is off. Removing the bumper is pretty straightforward, 8 bolts, 12 or so push clips; the only tedious part is popping the sides of the bumper out. After that it just pulls off as one unit.