LED TAILIGHTS-- rewiring - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Jaxonalden · 06-14-2011, 07:59 AM

In Europe and other countries adhering to ECE Regulation 48, vehicles must be equipped with one or two bright red "rear fog lamps" (or "fog tail lamps"), which serve as high-intensity rear position lamps to be energized by the driver in conditions of poor visibility to enhance vehicle conspicuity from the rear. This is to maximize the sight line of following drivers to the rear fog lamp. While providing some safeguard against rear fog lamps being confused with stop lamps, ECE R48 requires a separation of at least 10 cm between the closest illuminated edges of any stop lamp and any rear fog lamp.

I personally love the lamps when used correctly because you can maintain a safe following distance. Trying to follow a car in the fog with only rear running lights, you have to drive closer to that vehicle to keep the lights in sight, shorting your reaction time.

Porsche Enthusiast · 06-14-2011, 08:40 AM

Makes sense. I live in south Texas. Haven't seen fog for about 2 years.

So I am still having issues getting the two LEDS to light at the same time. Fog lights serve me no purpose here in hot san antonio. I want both LEDS to light when I hit the brake. At first thought, it is easy, IF using regular bulbs, but the cross connected LEDS are having issues.

I am at a loss and I guess nobody has tried what I am trying. I bought these LEDS so my car would look newer and frankly a bit cooler. As it is well people think I have a brakelight stuck on and a bulb burned out on the right.

Calling any electrical engineers in the crowd! LED issues... NEED HELP.
Anyone?

xtremecc · 08-10-2011, 08:19 AM

I tried also wiring them to turn on with the brakes and they only do when you tap or press brake for a second time. I got tired of it so went ahead and just plugged the fog lights to my running lights socket. They are awfully bright to be running lights but at least i can use all the LED segments. try it and see if you like it. you might have to cut and re rout the fog light wires throughout the tailights orifices to make them reach the running light socket.

ChrisZang · 08-10-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremecc

I tried also wiring them to turn on with the brakes and they only do when you tap or press brake for a second time. I got tired of it so went ahead and just plugged the fog lights to my running lights socket. They are awfully bright to be running lights but at least i can use all the LED segments. try it and see if you like it. you might have to cut and re rout the fog light wires throughout the tailights orifices to make them reach the running light socket.

I don't think that's a great idea
A) you make everyone behind you blind, I mean you got these lights to look good, not to piss off everyone - right?
B) now nobody will notice when you actually hit the brakes for real and eventually you will get rear ended, and guess what the guy who rear ended you will actually have a case that due to your incorrect lighting he couldn't see your brake lights. Oh and did I mention that he hit his head and will sue you for a gadzillion $$$

Porsche Enthusiast · 08-11-2011, 09:26 PM

I reconfigured to stock and realized for here the running light would never be used and looked like a broken light. I actually tried the leds as running lights--- WAY TOO BRIGHT TO BE SAFE!

I ended up switching the inner LED group for outer LED group as brake and left it at that. It looks a bit fuller and beefier brake light when set to the larger outside LED set. I quick connected all the connections so I can switch it back to original configuration with ease... Someday if I can get both lights to go as brakelights at the same time I will share the secret. Thinking there are different sized capacitors on the board and it can modified at the board. In my free time.. hah.

on a side note Wow surprised to get a response to a post back from so long ago. This forum is great, really tight porsche community. Reminds me of the VW community before the net. Very cool.

xtremecc · 08-13-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

I don't think that's a great idea
A) you make everyone behind you blind, I mean you got these lights to look good, not to piss off everyone - right?
B) now nobody will notice when you actually hit the brakes for real and eventually you will get rear ended, and guess what the guy who rear ended you will actually have a case that due to your incorrect lighting he couldn't see your brake lights. Oh and did I mention that he hit his head and will sue you for a gadzillion $$$

I do agree, they are awfully bright, but also has separate LED segments for the brake lights plus the third light. I know several members have done the same, either you like it or you hate it. Trying to figure how to tone it down by making two or three rows of the LED's inactive.

Porsche Enthusiast · 08-14-2011, 05:18 PM

In this case ther is a standard small running light bulb in the middle, which somewhat disappointed me, No LEDS for running lights at all. The look better than stock by far, but I was disappointed in them a bit, oh well, what do I get for 100 bucks right to make such a dramatic difference on a "Porsche". BTW, I did some research and Porsche translates to "costs twice as much" in german. Look it up, I swear its true! Heh!

Flat Six Smiley!