LED light dilemma

[K2lip]

I was about to order the same deal. I called in because the Headlight Kit that I had ordered was backordered for a little over two weeks. When I called in to ask about the order we started talking about the DRL/Highbeam setup and added the LED lights and the resistor/adapter kits at the same time. I admittedly had not done my homework before ordering and started to do some research after-the-fact. As I had questions I called them back the next day and pressed for more definitive answers on the function of LED's as a combination DRL and Highbeam. That's when I got the education that the LED's will just be ON at the same intensity weather as DRL or Highbeam and was thankfully able to cancel the order.



I did order the Phillips fog lights through XenonDepot as well as the headlight kit that did finally come in. I have to admit the foglight LED's made a HUGE difference. There was no doubt that they were on as the area just in front and to the side was very, very well lit.



The headlights, I have to admit let me down a little bit at first but I think I just wasn't used to something closer to the blue-white spectrum. It felt as if, in traffic, other's headlights were brighter than mine but it turns out that they are just more "yellow" in comparison and easier to distinguish whereas the LED's I could tell were definitely lighting up overhead signs and other road signs way brighter than the cars in front of me closer to the signs. Once alone on a dark street it was definitely a brighter, blue-white swath of light being thrown in front of me so I am pleased with the results.

I just got off the phone with Xenon Depot, and was told that the LED won't dim because they can't. Which is not what I was told before. So you and [MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION] were both spot on. They told me that "sometimes" the polarity needs to be switched for Toyotas. Just a simple fix on the male plug. That's sounds weird to me. Why would some need the switch and some not? I'll try it later anyways, see if it works, but I remain skeptical. I went with HIDs for my headlights, with projectors from an IS 250, and I'm very happy with those. I did go LED for fogs though, the Morimoto XBs.

 

[XenonDepot]

K2lip:

Do you know who you spoke to? LED's can't dim. The purpose of the canbus adapter is to prevent the LED's from flickering when the light is also used as a daytime running light (DRL). The DRL runs at a reduced power (usually 50% power). Halogen bulbs can dim since they use a filament but HID's and LED's can't. The canbus adapter simply prevents them from flickering. As for the polarity, it would only apply if you plug the canbus adapter in and the light doesn't turn on. If it does, no further action is required. Sometimes the vehicle is wired opposite of the adapters, reversing the two pins in the male connector is all you have to do and then the lights will come right on with the canbus adapter installed.

John

 

[K2lip]

K2lip:



Do you know who you spoke to? LED's can't dim. The purpose of the canbus adapter is to prevent the LED's from flickering when the light is also used as a daytime running light (DRL). The DRL runs at a reduced power (usually 50% power). Halogen bulbs can dim since they use a filament but HID's and LED's can't. The canbus adapter simply prevents them from flickering. As for the polarity, it would only apply if you plug the canbus adapter in and the light doesn't turn on. If it does, no further action is required. Sometimes the vehicle is wired opposite of the adapters, reversing the two pins in the male connector is all you have to do and then the lights will come right on with the canbus adapter installed.



John

John,

Not sure who I talked to first. I specifically asked if the LEDs would dim for the DRL mode, and I was told they would. That's why I originally bought the setup. He explained that the canbus adapter would keep the lights from flickering and also dim them. I think there was just some miscommunication, or I may have misunderstood altogether. I was a little miffed at first, but it's mostly my fault for not doing adequate research, no worries. I haven't reversed the adapters yet, but will update here once I have. Thanks.

 

[K2lip]

Well switching the plug on the adapter worked. Still strange that that was the fix. It was pretty simple, you just need a small screwdriver to move the tabs that hold the wires in. Tried searching to see if anyone else had that problem, couldn't find anything though. Thanks guys, and gals, for the help. Will post a before and after pic in the "what did you do today" thread.

 

[XenonDepot]

K2lip:

I'm glad to hear you got them working. Reversing the polarity on the canbus adapters is something that happens more often with Toyotas as a lot of them tend to have reversed polarity. Enjoy the kit and please let us see pictures when you can.

John