For all you cityLED users... my regulator solution to the keep them from burning out!
02-27-2007, 06:15 PM
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For all you cityLED users... my regulator solution to the keep them from burning out!
So here it is... the solution you have been waiting for!
As many of you know I'd researched this LED mod for the citylights in ecode housings to death.
From my tests the ultraleds.com 6 bulb LEDs are the perfect match for 6000k xenon mains but they were failing for unknown reasons.
It is my theory that voltage spikes from the alternator when the car is in the upper RPM range was causing them to fail.
Last November at Quattrofest I removed my LEDs until the event was over. I reinstalled them for the drive home and when I checked them when I got home the bulbs were burned out.
I have created a combination voltage regulator/load equalizer that is installed INSIDE the headlight housing.
You splice this circuit inline with the citylight harness and it provides a nice steady output that the LED will love.
I installed a set before my trip to Quatrrofest and I have to report that it works great. I pushed my car hard and easily drove in the 5500-7000rpm range consistently and at the end of the two days the LEDs were still shining bright.
I have tested the regulator circuit to input voltages of 30VDC and the output is stable at 11.8VDC.
If you want a set of these I'll send you a pair for $20 shipped.
For you DIY types here is what you need:
2 - 7812 12V regulators
2 - 220ohm 1 watt or 2 watt resistors
small protoboards for soldering
some wire
Here is a picture of the end result
<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/myaudi4/IMG_2191.JPG">
Here is an install diagram Fernando was kind enough to draw up for me for his install
<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/myaudi4/diagram.jpg">
As many of you know I'd researched this LED mod for the citylights in ecode housings to death.
From my tests the ultraleds.com 6 bulb LEDs are the perfect match for 6000k xenon mains but they were failing for unknown reasons.
It is my theory that voltage spikes from the alternator when the car is in the upper RPM range was causing them to fail.
Last November at Quattrofest I removed my LEDs until the event was over. I reinstalled them for the drive home and when I checked them when I got home the bulbs were burned out.
I have created a combination voltage regulator/load equalizer that is installed INSIDE the headlight housing.
You splice this circuit inline with the citylight harness and it provides a nice steady output that the LED will love.
I installed a set before my trip to Quatrrofest and I have to report that it works great. I pushed my car hard and easily drove in the 5500-7000rpm range consistently and at the end of the two days the LEDs were still shining bright.
I have tested the regulator circuit to input voltages of 30VDC and the output is stable at 11.8VDC.
If you want a set of these I'll send you a pair for $20 shipped.
For you DIY types here is what you need:
2 - 7812 12V regulators
2 - 220ohm 1 watt or 2 watt resistors
small protoboards for soldering
some wire
Here is a picture of the end result
<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/myaudi4/IMG_2191.JPG">
Here is an install diagram Fernando was kind enough to draw up for me for his install
<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/myaudi4/diagram.jpg">
