More LEDs...

[falcon15500]

Hi all,

I ordered 2 x 1ft cool white side emitting LED strips from AutoMoGlow and they arrived today. Unfortunately, when I tested the strips, one has a section of 3 LEDs that aren't lighting up. To make it worse, they aren't on the end - they are the second group from the far end from the wires (the ones from AMG only have wires at one end, which kinda sucks).

So basically I have to chop 6 LED's off the end to get a solid length. I originally was going to use either the whole foot, or take the very end 3 off (depending on how it looked). Taking 6 off would be okay, I guess... <grumble> And I really can't be arsed waiting for replacements. (Still internally debating that one.)

Anyways, so now they are here and I am thinking about the install. I want to tap into the parking/position lights like most have, but I don't see any "How To" threads on these specifically.

Can someone give me some pointers on getting this done? Do I have to take the bumper off for this? What wires do I need to splice into? Do I need to run an inline fuse of some sort? If I need help, can anyone give me a hand?

Mike

[demon88]

Why not get them replaced? Warranty?

Do it once, do it properly.

[falcon15500]

Looking to put them on the upper recess of the fog light area. Not very original, I know, but I think they look quite good there. I'll have a look and see if I have enough length without replacing them.

[falcon15500]

UPDATE: I have received word back from AMG. They say they are willing to replace the item but only after I send it back to them. Great. So not only does the item not work properly, but I have to pay more to ship it back to them and wait another month for a working replacement.

I don't think so. And I know I won't be buying from AMG again. The units are quite delicate but are sent out in a cardboard envelope with zero padding or protection. Is it any wonder there was some damage?

Looks like I am going to have to go with shortened strips. Next time I'll buy from Oznium.

M.

[falcon15500]

Okay... Trimmed the existing faulty units and went to install them today. Unfortunately the previously good unit now has 3 faulty LEDs closest to the wiring.

Anyway so I ordered replacements from Ozmium instead of going back through the other mob (who I am still not happy with). In the mean time, I installed the two I had just so I could see what it looked like / test the wiring etc.

Results below, note the shorter strip on the drivers side. Might do a night shot later on.



M.

[falcon15500]

Okay got around to some obligatory night shots for any who are interested.

Just position/LEDs:


And with headlights on too:


Still trying to decide if they are long (wide) enough or if I should use the longer strips I have coming. If I am going to keep them I need to un-dodgy the wiring...

M.

[Mitch]

matt i think they are upside down

[Kyrus]

looking good, very tempted

[falcon15500]

umm.. are those photos up side down?

Ummm... They look the right way up to me? I'm browsing on an iPhone though. Let me check elsewhere and get back to you... I have a feeling the iPhone auto rotates the pics using the metadata in them.

M.

[13EZY]

lol iphone upside down maybe?

[falcon15500]

Nah i don't think so. I have rotated them with an online editing tool (which also stripped the EXIF data). All good now. iPhone users beware.

M.

Edit: Here is (some of) the EXIF data from the original...

# Camera Make = Apple
# Camera Model = iPhone 4
# Picture Orientation = rotated 180° (3)
# X-Resolution = 72/1 ===> 72
# Y-Resolution = 72/1 ===> 72
# X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
# Software / Firmware Version = 4.3.1
# Last Modified Date/Time = 2011:04:14 19:09:46
# Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) = centered / center of pixel array (1)

As suspected the JPG is tagged as being 180° rotated, so when viewing on the iPhone (with full EXIF data) it automatically rotates it around the right way! Pretty smart...