blub, blub, gurgle, gurgle

Very good !!

Update: I am happy to report that I have had some success with making these now - a detailed 'how to' will follow shortly. I just have to get some pics done. I'm fairly chuffed with the result  Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

I have these instead of foglights http://mycarr.com/productInfo.php?PNo=4

They are easy to install and have factory look

Click image to enlarge

Very nice Martas - there are some direct replacements available on ebay here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-LED-DRL-LAND-R...105wt_1313

Using these, you unfortunately lose your fog lights - I live in a rural area and fog is a regular hazard this time of year. My solution is super bright during the day, using around 40 LEDs, but still retains the fog lights too. Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

Ok then, here we go......

First remove the fog lights by popping out the shroud with a gentle tug. Then remove the 4 Torx screws, releasing the lamp, then disconnect the connector.


Then, after removing the halogen bulb (lamp?) pop the whole light unit into the oven (don't tell the wife ) for about 10-15 mins at 160 degrees. Using oven gloves (I repeat, don't tell the wife) carefully pop out the lense assembly from the plastic body. You will need to use a lever of some sort to gently break the bonding compound (silicone?) but be careful not to rush this process as it is easy to break something.



Then take a 70mm LED ring (loads available from China on eBay) and trial fit it into the lense assembly. It will be a tight interference fit but after a bit of careful fiddling it should settle nicely against the glass lense.

As I am lucky to have access to a CNC Router I made up some clear perspex spacers to diffuse the light a little more and also locate the LED ring securely in the centre - this is not really neccessary and you can just fix the LED ring using epoxy resin or silicone adhesive - do not be tempted to use hot glue as the lights will get quite hot when the halogen lamps are used (the LEDs also get surprisingly warm too).



Here's the completed assembly, ready for inserting into the lense



To make day time visibility brighter I went one stage further here and decided to double the light output by using an inner ring of LEDs on a 'tape' which are pointing inwards - again, this is not strictly neccessary and the LED ring on its own should be sufficient. 21 LEDs in the ring + 20 more inside.





The only thing left to do is to reassemble the light, passing the wires to the LEDs through a suitable sized hole in the body and then sealing the whole assembly with silicone to prevent water ingress. After reassembly the light now looks like this ....



..... and from a distance



The result is quite impressive (blowing my own trumpet here) but I will need to dim the LEDs for night time use (as a marker light) to prevent dazzle and keep them legal.

Picking up power is pretty simple with a fuse/flying lead from eBay, along with a DRL relay (the blue module) which tucks away nicely in the fusebox. The fuse I chose is F37 and is usually for the heated washer jets - one of the extras that my GS hasn't got but as it is live with the ignition and perfect for my DRLs. The DRL relay uses a trigger from the headlight feed to switch off the DRLs when the headlights are switched on. I originally tried to dim them but it seems that LEDs do not like reduced voltage and simply switch off.





and finally a dusk time shot to show how bright these little beauties are - I'm really pleased with the result.



Job done  Cheers,
Raz
FL1 TD4 GS Auto 2001 Silver
FL2 TD4 Auto 2007 Black
FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2012 Fuji White

Last edited by RazMan on 9th Jan 2012 8:53 am. Edited 13 times in total

Nice job RazMan. Unless I’m mistaken I thought all cars built after February had to be fitted with DRL but I have not seen them on mine (1 week old) I asked the sales person at the garage that shall not be mentioned and they looked at me as if I had two heads.

@ Manufan, All car sent for type approval after February 2011 have to have DRL's, it has nothing to do with when it is manufactured

Ps, The win was good today, the draw was even better

Thanks AD
Yes very good day but I am very aware that I must not turn this site into a football forum

talk about football as much as you want, Man U arn't a sports team more of a corporate take over. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

The game is certainly big money, but strangely enough I’ve never seen any of them driving a FL2. Taste and money obviously not good bed fellows!

Sheffield Wednesdays players can barely afford a push bike, between them  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Sorry I thought we were talking football

jumpers for goalposts, that kind of thing.

still Wednesday did beat Man U at Wembley half a lifetime ago At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Unfortunately I do remember that