LED Reverse Lights
01-15-13, 12:45 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
I went with the Cree LED for reverse on my 4GS but the light pattern output and the cree projector won't do any good. The reason because the socket of the reverse lights housing was design for halogen bulbs (sit higher closer to the edge not in the middle of housing) and using the reflector housing to spread out the light. When you mount the CREE LED it won't sit in the middle of the housing therefore the cree projector will project the light into the edge of the housing.
Bottom line LED in reverse won't give any good light output for reverse then I had no choice but HID. So far the kit warm up within 5 seconds and give me enough light output and no melting/heat issue. By the time all the notification messages on the 4GS's navigation screen disappear, the hid give enough lights output.
If using the Cree LED make sure you guys tape/secure it to the socket using electric tape otherwise it will come lose due to heavy bigger bulbs, vibration and trunk slamming down.
On my other car, Cree LED reverse sit in the middle of housing and the output are bright enough.
Bottom line LED in reverse won't give any good light output for reverse then I had no choice but HID. So far the kit warm up within 5 seconds and give me enough light output and no melting/heat issue. By the time all the notification messages on the 4GS's navigation screen disappear, the hid give enough lights output.
If using the Cree LED make sure you guys tape/secure it to the socket using electric tape otherwise it will come lose due to heavy bigger bulbs, vibration and trunk slamming down.
On my other car, Cree LED reverse sit in the middle of housing and the output are bright enough.
01-15-13, 02:22 PM
#17
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I went with the Cree LED for reverse on my 4GS but the light pattern output and the cree projector won't do any good. The reason because the socket of the reverse lights housing was design for halogen bulbs (sit higher closer to the edge not in the middle of housing) and using the reflector housing to spread out the light. When you mount the CREE LED it won't sit in the middle of the housing therefore the cree projector will project the light into the edge of the housing.
Bottom line LED in reverse won't give any good light output for reverse then I had no choice but HID. So far the kit warm up within 5 seconds and give me enough light output and no melting/heat issue. By the time all the notification messages on the 4GS's navigation screen disappear, the hid give enough lights output.
If using the Cree LED make sure you guys tape/secure it to the socket using electric tape otherwise it will come lose due to heavy bigger bulbs, vibration and trunk slamming down.
On my other car, Cree LED reverse sit in the middle of housing and the output are bright enough.
Bottom line LED in reverse won't give any good light output for reverse then I had no choice but HID. So far the kit warm up within 5 seconds and give me enough light output and no melting/heat issue. By the time all the notification messages on the 4GS's navigation screen disappear, the hid give enough lights output.
If using the Cree LED make sure you guys tape/secure it to the socket using electric tape otherwise it will come lose due to heavy bigger bulbs, vibration and trunk slamming down.
On my other car, Cree LED reverse sit in the middle of housing and the output are bright enough.
because when i had 35w HID on my TL i had to run a custom harness so i wouldnt melt the stockin wiring harness
01-15-13, 02:24 PM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
01-15-13, 07:25 PM
#19
I use 15W HID kit order from ebay with stock wiring. I did test leave the reverse on for 15 minutes and have no issue with melting or wiring problem. They did make the 15W HID kit with shorter HID bulbs and 3 different mounting base so you can use 921 base for reverse without any problem. The ballast is smaller than 35W Kit and hidden well inside trunk liner.
01-15-13, 07:29 PM
#20
Reverse HID
I use a camera mount on tripod with manual mode for same speed & aperture.
The first one is parking lights on
Second one is parking lights on + reverse lights on.
Third one is parking lights on + reverse lights on + stop lights on.
The first one is parking lights on
Second one is parking lights on + reverse lights on.
Third one is parking lights on + reverse lights on + stop lights on.
01-15-13, 07:38 PM
#22
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
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Sorry for my ignorance but what were the steps you took to hook up the ballasts? I'm definitely considering this mod now.
01-15-13, 11:12 PM
#25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-15...e9b296&vxp=mtr
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/15W-Reverse-...1ce26c&vxp=mtr
Step to replace:
Remove the trunk liner.
There are plenty space to mount the ballast by double side tape or screw it inside (there holes ready inside the trunk). I use both screw and double side tape so it won't rattle when you slam down the trunk or crank up the volume.
Zip tie all the wire so it won't rattle.
The HID kit come with 3 base. you only use T10 to fit to reverse lights socket.
Turn the reverse on for 10 -15 minutes to check everything working correctly and no heat issue to the housing.
Enjoy the ride.
If you concern about the warm up for HID, within first 5 second it will give you 80% light output, another 3 second will give 100% output. And even within the first 5 second, I found the light output is greater than any Cree LED on the market for now.
Make sure it is 15W Kit not 35W. You'll get to wiring and heat problem with 35W Kit.
01-15-13, 11:44 PM
#26
01-15-13, 11:47 PM
#27
LED panel for door step, sun visor, trunk. I use 2 LED panel for trunk and 1 for other.
3rd pic showing 2 LED panel can be connect together for trunk light.
Glue stick will help keeping the LED panel/socket intact and avoid rattle.
3rd pic showing 2 LED panel can be connect together for trunk light.
Glue stick will help keeping the LED panel/socket intact and avoid rattle.
Last edited by onexcite; 01-15-13 at 11:59 PM.
01-15-13, 11:57 PM
#28
This is where I get them, make sure you get 5050 SMD LED panel. 5050 is the brightest one ( 3 tiny chip LED in each small LED so 12 LED panel will have 36 LED). They come in 12 & 15 LED on each panel. I use 12 for visor & 15 for door step. You can order bigger LED panel (36 or 48 LED) for trunk light so you won't have to joint to panel together
http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-12-SMD...item20c72ce739
http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-12-SMD...item20c72ce739
