In case anyone is interested in getting your LED DRL's to full power i had to build a custom converter using a bridge rectifier and capacitor (2200uf). The DRL's on the 2009RDX uses DC pulses to produce a lower current draw.Now my 9005 LED's are at full power.

 

Sounds great, can you get some pics? I'm sure there are more people interested.

 

I'm a new member so I must wait 15 days!
Pics of the completed unit?

 

Ok. Here is a pic of the DRL converter unit.
More to follow.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SALAZA001/Rdx#

 

where did you buy he converter ?

any links or websites ?

also where do u buy the led ?, and it runs as your daytime running lights in led right ?

 

He said that he had to build a CUSTOM converter now I just wonder where can I buy the ready solution and where has sal001 purchased his LEDs

 

From V-LEDS http://www.v-leds.com
Yes. The device is custom built. V-LEDs DRL module (http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/DRL-LED/White-LED/V-LEDS-9005-PLUG-N-PLAY-p6297704-1-3.html ) would not work, they would smoke and burn out. I finally used by scopemeter and found the RDX was basically putting out DC pulses. The picture link above provides a schematic of the custom unit if needed.

http://picasaweb.google.com/SALAZA001/Rdx#

 

so, just buy the module it's ok ?, do I need to make any other adjustments ?

 

The module did NOT work for me. I went trough 3 smoking modules and blown fuses before giving up and making my own.

The unit I built needed no other adjustments. Even the DRL error light on dash did not light up!

 

sal001, is the voltage going to the DRL fialments A.C.?
Or did you measure a square wave pattern on the oscilloscope?
I'm just curious and not questioning what you did.

 

I measured AC using a multimeter but suspect DC square wave. I will measure soon using a scopemeter and "paying more attention to values". The recall the multimeter stating @ 200Hz frequency but will also confirm that.

 

Thanks! Very Curious why Acura would do this!

 

I read somewhere else that it's cheaper that lowering the voltage using large wattage resistors with enclosures. (That also produce alot of heat).

 

do you have instructions on how to make the modified module ?

very interested

thanks

 

Sorry. No. The only thing i can supply is the diagram at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SALAZA001/Rdx#

 

what's the heat shrink ?

 

Rubber tubing that shrinks when heated with a hot air gun.
Electrical tape would work also.

 

o,k thanks

 

I measured the output of the DRLs with a Fluke scopemeter and the reading was a square pulse of 12v Peak to peak @ 100Hz. the measurement was with a 20ohm load. With this load their was an AC component of -5v and the positive was +7v.

 

Any information on how to do this with a 2007 RDX?

 

john50, what's the difference?

sal001, great DIY, thanks a lot for the info. I've ordered both the LEDs & resistors from V-LED.

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/D...68723-1-2.html

http://www.v-leds.com/BlinkerWarning...-p4481145.html

 

if you guys plaining to buy the vled drl light, just to let you know you will recieve a warning sigh. how do i know? i have tried 2 pairs from them and if you decide to return it they will charge you 10-15% restock fee. o btw there customer service is crap.
best route is to go with halogen bulbs.

white
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MTEC-...Q5fAccessories
whitish/blue
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JAPAN...Q5fAccessories

 

Had same problem. I had to use 15ohm resistors instead of the 25ohm from V-LEDs.

 

Well, I tried the v-led DRL kit before too and had the "Check DRL System" warning too, but I didn't use resistors. I contacted V-led about that and they said the only fix would be resistors but they aren't sure because they didn't have test RDX to try it with at the time.

From the info from this thread though, sounds like it should work just fine with the resistors just like the ones Azzie ordered.

btw, I can only speak from my experience but I returned the DRL kit too and placed a replacement order (kind of like an exchange) and they waived the restocking fee for me. I had purchased from V-led many times in the past and their customer service has been good IMO.

 

Thank You sal001 ! Good info

 

Azzie,

I was just trying to confirm that the solution for the 2009 would work for my 2007. As far I as I know, no changes have been made in the headlight system over the three model years, but I wanted to confirm, before I ordered the parts.

 

I think it should work both for 2007 & for 2009. Will pick up my LEDs this week and find smb to install correctly.

 

sal001, with just the LED bulbs installed (no custom converter), did you have the Check DRL popup ?

 

YES.The DRL warning indicator was on dash.
LED's lit at about 66% of full power also.

 

Has anyone tried this item for their LED daytime running light conversion?

http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/D...97704-1-2.html

Seems interesting.....

 

Is the light output on the LED conversion any different than stock at high beam? less bright, same brightness, or brighter on the road?

I'm thinking of changing my DLR/High beam to a brighter bulb since I live in CO and travel in the mountains alot.

 

So did that get rid of the DRL error message on the MID: adding a 15ohm resistor? That's my only quarm with the LED's... I have the bulbs, but before I purchase capacitors, etc. to do this conversion, I want to make sure it will not give me the "Check DRL System" error like the bulbs-alone did... THanks!

 

The LED converstion that i did has NO resistors with NO DRL error.I have had this in place for over 5 months now on my 2009 RDX.

 

Great thanks, any ideas on how to aquire the capacitor/rectifier cheap? Any good websites? or can you just pick them up at your local Auto Zone...

Also, to repeat CSpaR's question: Does this allow the LED's to be as bright as the stockies? I noticed without any wiring mods, the LED's when "Brights" switched on were sub-par...

Thanks for all your help, I'm excited to make these work!

 

Not really..Got parts from Radio Shack.
I have yet to see after market LEDs as bright as stock.
I did get new "even brighter" LED's from V-LEDs http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/D...52845-1-2.html. These are nice and have had them for 3 months now. I have bought over 4 different types of LEDs and these are the brightest.

 

nice

 

I just wanted to chime in say I just installed these LED's with sal001's rectifier circuit. Seems to work fine. No DRL messages (well, I got one when testing the voltage to make sure I had everything right with no light in--cleared via service menu).

One thing I noticed is that these 6000K LED's are pretty dang close to my three year old stock HID projectors in terms of color. My 6000K HID foglights are definitely more blue then the other two.

Overall, I am pleased. They are a MUCH closer match to the stock HID's.

 

So just for my clarification, is it safe to say that by using an LED in the DRL socket, that you now dont have an effective High beam?

 

I would say reduced effectiveness. This LED is pretty damn bright. It is brighter than the incandescent bulb in DRL mode. I have not tried it yet in total darkness. I pretty much never use the brights anyway (mostly urban/suburban/interstate driving for me).

 

Tried it in the dark (well, as dark as it gets around here). Somewhat reduced effectiveness? They DO light up reflective signs from farther away, so it is not like you have no brights. Really, though, it is just not dark enough around here to tell much difference.