Porsche Headlight Retrofit [from CAD, prototyping to finish)

[Edreamsz]

Hi guys, here's an update.

Yesterday I received a pair of ballast with a build-in Canbus solution (ballast/starter/Canbus in one box). I turned the Xenon kit on and immediately my oil warning lamp went on .

So, these units are going back. My next step will be connecting some Canbus warning cancellers between the ballast and my 12V connectors as an extra.

I also thought of another possible solution. There is a possibility that the peak voltage after starting the Xenon kit triggers the problem. So, by connecting the ballasts directly to my battery via a relay I will be effectively removing that peak voltage when turning the Xenon lights on right? This is just an idea....any thoughts on this?

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Edreamsz

Hi guys, here's an update.

Yesterday I received a pair of ballast with a build-in Canbus solution (ballast/starter/Canbus in one box). I turned the Xenon kit on and immediately my oil warning lamp went on .

So, these units are going back. My next step will be connecting some Canbus warning cancellers between the ballast and my 12V connectors as an extra.

I also thought of another possible solution. There is a possibility that the peak voltage after starting the Xenon kit triggers the problem. So, by connecting the ballasts directly to my battery via a relay I will be effectively removing that peak voltage when turning the Xenon lights on right? This is just an idea....any thoughts on this?

?!?!?

Yes I know its not your kit. Bat's car problem made me realized this already. I was under the impression you were following our conversation

Check your voltage regulator "under load" it should read about 15.x volts (needs load tester, not a volt meter!). Your indy should be able to help with that. Those (brushes) gets tired with time, especially after 10+ years

Others, as important: diode, alternator pulleys, loose serpentine strap, bad battery.

There are two phases to your ballasts' power up sequence:
- PhaseI: igniters (max load at 7amps for 1~2secs)
- PhaseII: stabilization (max load 3.5amp)

When phaseI occurs, it simply drains the car system's current. If the car charging system is not up to specs, you will "certainly" get unstable voltages (and of course, a nice shiny BATTERY MIL to tell you all about that!).

That's why the problem doesn't replicate when you switch on/off your lights i.e when phaseI is already hot and doesn't need as much current to ignite.

Fix the charging system and all should shine like a diamond again
^ Quote from my indy who've helped me out on this one, and who've seen a few pcars having the same issues as you are having now

Good luck

[Edreamsz]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

?!?!?

Yes I know its not your kit. Bat's car problem made me realized this already. I was under the impression you were following our conversation

Check your voltage regulator "under load" it should read about 15.x volts (needs load tester, not a volt meter!). Your indy should be able to help with that. Those (brushes) gets tired with time, especially after 10+ years

Others, as important: diode, alternator pulleys, loose serpentine strap, bad battery.

There are two phases to your ballasts' power up sequence:
- PhaseI: igniters (max load at 7amps for 1~2secs)
- PhaseII: stabilization (max load 3.5amp)

When phaseI occurs, it simply drains the car system's current. If the car charging system is not up to specs, you will "certainly" get unstable voltages (and of course, a nice shiny BATTERY MIL to tell you all about that!).

That's why the problem doesn't replicate when you switch on/off your lights i.e when phaseI is already hot and doesn't need as much current to ignite.

Fix the charging system and all should shine like a diamond again
^ Quote from my indy who've helped me out on this one, and who've seen a few pcars having the same issues as you are having now

Good luck

Yes, I was (of course!) following the thread but already ordered and received the other ballasts. My next stop is a load test to test my charging system. Will give an update this week!

[Nine8Six]

There is a 986 on the Chinese Porsche forum here with the exact same issues that Bat and yourself are having. MIL, batt/oil, spoiler tak tak tak thingny

He was running an aftermarket 2DIN deck with LCD, 400watts amp, GPS module, some depo LEDs tailights and a nice and expansive aftermarket iPhone charger - all at the same time! When he starts the car with accessories turned ON he gets these lights, if he turns accessories OFF and start the car, all is fine.

Luckily for him it was only a bad battery but none the less, his thread is about 7 pages long lol

Luck mate

[Coaster]

I'm so sad I can't say I got these from you (still saving the fun money budget). Happy Pelican will have them.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Coaster

I'm so sad I can't say I got these from you (still saving the fun money budget). Happy Pelican will have them.

Ah you are still going to get them from me! In fact, the one who will machine, hand polish, anodize, laser etch and assemble them will be myself. (lol "by myself"... sounds like a famous scammer quote?!)

The way it will work is the (easy) machining bits will be outsourced to a friend's shop (e.g. adapter kit, cap, screw, shroud, composites) however, the bezel's precision machining, polishing, anodizing, laser, assembling stays in-house. That way I can continue to assure QC and needless to say save us all a ton of $ by being able to do this part ourselves. For info; precision machining on a thin-walled part made of highest grade aluminum, involving 2.5D, 3D, 4th multi axis both milling & lathe operations, it can quickly go up sky high in price :/ Some figures to put things in perspective: the bezel work alone (outsourced) cost $130 each (that is $260 for L&R, at "manufacturer price" with min qty requirements). It's brutal but the reality.

So that said, I am still going to have to work my cute little butt overtime to get those out on the market at a reasonable price. Lucky me I have a good buddy here who is helping me out but he is yet to be 'as passionate' as myself doing this kind of work (after hours, relaxing, bg metal cutting machine music, etc). Not his kind of thing (he like sofas) but perhaps when we'll start getting paid things may change, hoping for the best lol

RE Pelican Deal. Well, I have to admit I'll eternally be grateful to them. They are being kind here. Especially to me, but also to the crowd here and to other Porsche enthusiasts. Correct me if I am wrong but it wouldn't be the first time the team @ Pelican support a member's product. They have done it in the past and the message I got was they will continue to do so for any product/trick/tool/whatever they believe our little pcar community could benefit of. They are great people working there, ... definitely nothing to do with the other typical stone cold car part $hops!

Price-wise. Let's start by admitting that this clandestine operation had to stop (not a 'hobby' anymore lol). Some additional overhead will be required so the price may be slightly higher than previously advertised. I also have to get the product shipped out using legal means, using a registered trading co, paying my Chinese export taxes (cheap, 4% lol), and Pelican Co has to pay for storage, logistics, man I pass so many other things. The good news is these guys at Pelican have the ability to order few-more-than-one kit at a time so the prices gets so much more relaxed (thanks Pelican for that, not me. Their idea). So at the end, they are NOT going to be much more expansive than now, or whatever it will cost more it will be plenty justified, legal and fair I think

^ side comment... please do remember those kits shaves min 10 years off the look & feel of the Boxster/996s. Now that alone, to me, is priceless

As soon as the catalogue links turns up you bet I'll post them up bright red with flashy disco balls and all

A true 986forum community effort, inspiring! Thanks x1,000,000

[Davev]

Very happy for you. Glad I could be part of the incubation process and love my v2.0 lights. They are the mod that people ask most about. But most important to me was the big increase in night time visibility. Fabulous product.

As soon as they make it to Pelican, I will add a review.

[Davev]

Here's looking at you:

[Coaster]

AWESOME Nine8Six!

I'm day dreaming of a set of your projectors, switchback led lighting for DRL/turn signals, and integrating an auto-on switch/system. I know that may not be everyone's cup of tea but I smile when I see it in my head, lol.

[MitchSF]

How are you wiring your angel eyes? I want to use an ignition switched 12v source independent of the parking lights. If I have to, I'll run a wire from the fuse block.

Is it possible to order male and female pins to fit the existing connector, since there is space for more contacts? If so, can someone find the part numbers?

I plan on using one relay to control the high beam so that when the low beam is on and the high beam is flashed, the shutter will open. When the low beam is off, the halogen high beam will flash. I've done this before and it works well. Another set of contacts on the relay will shut off the angel eyes when the xenon light is on.

[rfuerst911sc]

Checked in with the supplier today the dies are done we're ready to start making seals pretty soon ! Hang in there guys we're very close.

[tonichristi]

Fred, when the kits are available again, will they still say Porsche on them? I assume no, but thought I'd ask.

They are nice looking, but the Porsche lettering is kinda the main reason I want a set.

[Van914]

I want to thank Fred and Charles. These are a great product and Charles was great to
Retrofit mine.

Thanks to you both.
Van

[rfuerst911sc]

WOOHOO !!! I received an email from the manufacturer the prototype headlight seals are done He included a picture they look good to me but time will tell. I asked several follow up questions like when will they be ready for sale ? What will the price be ? Will there be a group buy price ? And most important when can I have a set As soon as I hear I will post here. I've been holding off installing my retrofit headlights until the seals are available, I'm tired of seeing pictures of everyone else's

[Nine8Six]

August been busy! Added a well deserved holiday to this.... took off in the south with my wife. I (we) get to take annual leave once a year and it has to be at the end of Aug. Those are my only options sadly.... each and every year is the same :/ But still well received! Oh and I had to go back home (Montreal) for an express 5 days visit... of course to catch up with the new local taste of fresh poutine with pogo-sticks lol

Lots to catch up here in Shanghai and loads to read on the forum. Fortunately I've already managed to catch up with the rituals of being a wage slave (i.e. day job) and manufacturing slick headlight kits as a side business!

I have now in hands 50 (fifty) kits of each models (Turismo, Vivo & Luminoso). Those are fully manufactured and ready for anodizing and custom laser engraving. I'll be in contact with Pelican to arrange logistics for a few of those shortly but in a meantime, and until we see those advertised, if anyone of you guys is interested in a kit you can always PM me

[Cuenc]

Salut Fred, je suis Pat et je suis a Ottawa. J'adore les designs de tes phares! J'ai un 99 C4 avec des phares halogenes. Je veux acheter un de tes kits HID...comment on peut proceder? Merci! Pat

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Cuenc

Salut Fred, je suis Pat et je suis a Ottawa. J'adore les designs de tes phares! J'ai un 99 C4 avec des phares halogenes. Je veux acheter un de tes kits HID...comment on peut proceder? Merci! Pat

aha! Salut Pat. Je t'ai envoyé un msg.

A bientot j'espère

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Van914

I want to thank Fred and Charles. These are a great product and Charles was great to
Retrofit mine.

Thanks to you both.
Van

Sex^

Niceeee shot Van... perfect angle!

Hope all is well with you there mate

[brjak]

Anyone EAST GTA able to install these. I am a new owner, Would love to purchase a set nd have them installed.

[clickman]

Send them to particlewave. Charles lives in the states but will do an awesome job. If I didn't want to do the job myself I would have sent them to him without hesitation.