warrior15r

I've been reading a lot of posts on the forum about changing the to leds on the license plate. A lot of people have said their lights start flickering after 6 months. I'm not sure if this applies to the 9leds or the 1 watt from tec-toys. Has anyone had experience with the lifespan of the 1 watt ones?

I have 1 watt ones sitting around and was thinking about installing them for my license plat until i heard about them blowing a lot. I am contemplating the CCFL tubes right now. It looks really simple.

tuoncan

Yeah, I have a TSX, a little different than most of you. Our TSX has a trunk release button in the middle, so we can't put the 12" tube straight through. I have to use 2 inverters (one for the left and 1 for the right side = a total of 4 6" tubes)

tuoncan

I would say go with the CCFL tubes. I have 3 1watt LED installed on my backup light, and I would say it doesn't look as bright as much as the CCFL tubes. The CCFL tubes spread the light out evenly, whereas the Led shine straight down in 1 direction.

dwest1023

The new 1 watts from tec toys will last the the life of the car. You will have more trouble with the CCFL. The 1 watts will never flicker, its not the same type of LED others have used. The 1 watts make the tag llight look they way it suppose to, and not like a light for a billboard that the CCFL does.

pimpin-tl

dwest, please do not degrade the CCFL when you haven't tried them. So far Krakers and mine have been solid since they been on the car. Even with all the cold temps (20 degrees we have had). I think Kraker has had his for 6 months on his now or even more?

LED's can go bad, more often than not. I see a ton of traffic signals that were replaced with LEDs flickering these days. LEDs are not the best nor the most reliable route either.

LED's are only directional. They shine in one direction only and will not spread the light unless some are angled. CCFL are more of a spread so it gets the light everywhere like the stock lights do but just much brighter.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

The cops will LOVE you when you get/are getting pulled over -- SO EASY TO SEE YOUR LICENSE PLATE!!

Kracker

And I have them in my trunk too... Now they will be able to search all luggage to find the contraband.

I think that I would rather have the cops be able to read my plate than have no lights or 2 leds flickering.

I did look into the 1 Watt LEDs because they are different... But still, I had issues with people saying theirs are better without trying.

I will let everyone know as soon as one of bulbs go bad.

Juiced_Acura_Kidd

Looks good...brighter than LED's!

Kracker

I was in houston this weekend and picked up 3 more sets of lights. I spliced into the dome lights GRY/BLU and WHT wires and ran it down thru the center console. The lights will turn on with the On switch or when the door are open.

Im going to hook up a pair under the each of the seats and under the dash. Hopefully the wiring can handle the pull of 3 or 4 inverters... If I pop a fuse Ill put a relay in.

Expect pictures tonight or tomorrow.

I

Psycho

Whos in the 323 or 818 area in so cal that would want to help me install this mod on my puppy.

Kracker

Okay I found out that three inverters draw 1.5 amps at 11.25 volts and 1.1 amps at 11.5 V. So I think it will be less once its hooked into my car that has 12+ volts.

The fuse that powers everything is a 7.5 amp.. So I think it will be okay... I'll get them installed tomorrow...

Kracker

Front:



Rear:




Under the drivers seat:

I burnt the material under the seat to wrap tie wraps around.





Glove box:



Yeah, I was going to hook up a relay in so that I didn't have to worry about the fuse. Then I realized that the cigarette lighter plug was turned on with the key. Not really what I wanted.

I did attach it in the glove box incase there was a problem.. All I would have to do is splice into it there. It was going to work so well too...


http://people.cs.tamu.edu/mlw8723/Car2/

So now I have 8 inverters and 12 tubes in my car... I think the word overkill comes to my mind.

Aznpersuasion

I just bought some LED's from tec toyz on ebay, white led license plate lights, so i'll seehow they work
~Jason

Juiced_Acura_Kidd

Aznpersuasion,

make sure to post pics...thanks!

TlsNavi03

iTrader: (1)

Those look good under the seats..

Kracker

Just an FYI my big ass broke the CC Tube under the seat (the back of the drivers seat). So if you are going to copy me find a better location to mount the lights. I also broke the one illuminating my drivers footwell. The 3M tape fell, and in a rush to put it back I pushed on it way too hard and broke it.

Also, my License plate lights are going strong its been 11 months or so.

fant0m_TL

I use these CC's to build custom computers... they are nice! I never thought to use them on a car though!

SilverStoneTTL

Just reporting to say mine stopped working but I didn't realize until recently. Not sure what happened that they stopped working...

pimpin-tl

Hmm check your connections. Mine and Krackers are still going. 7 months old for mine and Krackers are probably a year or more now.

Kracker

Mine are still going strong...

Somewhere in this thread a guy used two inverters and two lights. That is the way to go. Good luck getting to fixed.

desper

I have never had any problems with the LED i bought 5 months ago

Kracker

I replaced rear LEDs two times before I finally gave up... Some of the bulbs just died, and others flickered.. The yellow original bulbs were better then the LEDs... Keep your fingers crossed and hope they dont die.

Next time you get a chance check out your LEDs...

drdamian

i had the same thing happen w my LEDs . but mine didn't go out all at once.. i would get a couple of the individual LEDs go out so only half of them lit up. i changed the LEDs 2x and gave up. i have the CC's in my car now for a few months and i don't have any problems .. Only thing i notice is that it takes a lil for the bulbs to get to full brightness..

3rdGenHybrid

yeah those led's suck...i didn't notice mine were flickering untill i came back from a fishing trip...and unlocked my door...and saw my lights flicker....ill prolly do this mod this weekend, along with my black out headlights....

Kracker

I really think that my favorite cold cathode use is as a trunk light. Being able to see inside your trunk is great. I put lights in my G/F Toyota. She really likes its them.



Get an extra pair, and an spare inverter (2 bux) to add as a backup for you license plate incase one burns out.

http://www.directron.com/ccflinverter.html

robbie82

Whats wrong with LED lights?

3rdGenHybrid

i dunno...they just suck...the burn out and start to flicker....i just did the cold cathode lights...looks great....i wanna do the trunk light next.....

MC82

kracker, that trunk looks great, do you have a guide you followed to show how you did that install?

MC82

the tutorial linked on the first page is not working, does anybody know of another how-to guide?

3rdGenHybrid

its pretty self explainatory...i didn't use the how to guide....i even left the factory license plate light cover on....i just put 2 bulbs running across the len's, and use tin foil to keep the light directed to the lens'.

pimpin-tl

Guys I know, the server had a hardware failure. So I am leaving that ISP to a nother. They said it might be weeks before its back online. They will be online soon. Waiting for DNS to fix itself.

crzygosu87

iTrader: (4)

hey guys ... i tried to install the cold cathode lights from post number one; however, they're not working for some reason ... i hooked up the leds to the inverter which leads to black and red wires to the corresponding black and red wires from the right side license plate lights ... however they're not lighting up at all ... I have no idea what to do now @___@
as for the bulbs themselves, are the filaments or w/e they are, supposed to shake or are they supposed to be fixed? I used wire taps so they're just hanging on inside my trunk for now ... SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE! PLEEEASEEE!!!

crzygosu87

iTrader: (4)

i just purchased a new set ... hopefully it's just that the inverter/bulbs are out ... otherwise I'll be really stumped on what to do then ... T____T

pimpin-tl

I would test them on your battery in the car. Put the REd to Positive and Black to Negative on the battery and see if they light up.

deke

Well to post an update. Half the LED's in each unit are dead. I will try and get some pic's later and see what I can do about making sometime else work

Kracker

deke, this is the best way on the thread. I would suggest getting two sets of tubes, and 1 extra inverter. That way you can add trunk lights too...

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

OK I just completed this mod a few days ago and I have to say it ROCKS!!! It was very easy since I've taken my trunklid apart a few times and I was well prepared with all the stuff I needed at my fingertips. I was done in just over 1 hr.

A few things I'll note here;
1)I had installed a back-up camera a couple weeks ago. I read there would be no problems for this. The 2 screws WERE definitely right smack in the way for me. I had to either drill 2 new holes for the camera or tie the 2 cathode tubes real close and offset them slightly. I decided to do the latter, I don't need any more holes into my sheetmetal. I shaved one of the clear square sides on the ends of the cathode tubes with a dremel and tied the tubes with complete contact and it worked out.
2) Another thing to note is 3M double-sided tape is the best freakin stuff!!! Holds anything really well. I have been using it in many places for many mods. Must-have in your toolbox.
3)I was going to use the original lenses from the license plate lights and shave them down. I thought that would be the best in terms of protection and total stock appearance. But I decided the lens was a bit too frosted for me and the area of light transmission would be smaller versus me making my own window out of clear plastic. I made the lenses just as shown in the DIY. I feared the possibilty of someone poking the lens when grabbing the trunk to open it or maybe water getting in at a carwash. I used "Goop" and "Monster tape" (love both of that stuff!) and sealed it off real well. With the light pressed up against it, it's not going to get poked into unless someone really kicks it in. Looks safe enough.
4)Foil tape was $8 at Home Depot. Said screw it and used aluminum foil instead. Told you I was a cheapskate. Kept this whole mod under $10!! LOL!

I know there was a little debate between Kennedy and pimpin-tl on whether this was better or LEDs. I have the rest of my car LEDd out and I know Kennedy does his reseach well and knows his stuff. Usually I side with him, he's usually right. I must say though I really think the cold-cathode wins hands down. (no offense Kennedy, just my opinion.) I was hoping it wouldn't look like a cheap flourescent light. Turned out better than that. The light is just bright, white, nice and even. Gets rid of that ugly yellow look and the car looks fresh and new. I can totally revert to stock in 20 minutes if I wanted to. Quality LEDs are overpriced, and then there's no real warranty anyways. I can replace these for $9 if something goes wrong. Highly recommended, glad I did it.

HQTL6SPD

sighh... why do all you light modding guys live so far away? so far, 2 of the best are both in Texas....

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

You can do it! It's all easier to do than it looks, try it!

HQTL6SPD

i really wanna do the front footrest, but as a blue light to come on while lowbeams are on, but not ricer bright (just like the oem blue light). i also want that bright ass trunk light hehe