13V Headlight Adjustment?

[Mr. Furious]

None of the switches allow fog operation in auto mode - not even the Euro switches. You would probably have to make internal switch modifications to make it work.

Yeah, I was kind of hoping that it was something that could be controlled via VCDS. Oh well, it's not a tragedy or anything.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Can anyone post how to set the voltage in VCD?

09- Central Elect.
Long Coding Helper
Byte 19
Bit 0-3 (Pull Down Choice 08 for 13.0 volts)

----------------------
While there, suggest:
Byte 19
Bit 4-7 (Pull Down Choice 80 for tail lights 13.0 volts)

 

[767wrench]

Some more 10000k pics

Got my vcds and adjusted the voltage. Its hard to get good pics on my phone.
[IMG]http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/V8Nissan/2012-08-13_20-48-27_199.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Just a quicky question on this setting. I adjusted my bulb voltage to 13.0V several weeks ago and did notice a slight increase in brightness. Last night I was feeling a little spunky, so I turned them up to 13.4V. Noticeably brighter! However, I notice on my ScanGauge that my indicated system voltage, which normally hovers in the 14.1-14.3V range, drops down to the ~13.8V range when I have the lights on. I realize my bulb life will be shorter for the lights, but am I doing any long-term harm or premature wear to my electrical system (battery, etc) with the increased drawdown, as indicated on the ScanGauge?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

What is the system voltage with the lights on as you're going down the road?

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

What is the system voltage with the lights on as you're going down the road?

13.8 when I took it for a spin last night.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

That's within the normal range.

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

That's within the normal range.

This morning, with headlights on, I was back in the 14.0 - 14.2 range.

 

[riverwest auto]

just changed to 13 for a customer, this is probably a good option 13.6 would probably need to be aimed down a bit.

 

[tdiatlast]

Why? Intensity should have nothing to do with aim...it would just increase the distance of the light...

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Why? Intensity should have nothing to do with aim...it would just increase the distance of the light...

This.

 

[carlrx7]

the issue with installing HID's isn't that the bcm is just sending lower voltage, it is actually sending the same voltage, but pulsing it so the lamp see's a lower voltage. pulsing anything to a ballast is a bad thing.

if you Place a 10 uFd/25V electyrolytic capacitor + to the wire, - to ground. This will make the PWM signal used for lower voltage mode a full-ON signal and will turn on the lights fully.

try this, something i had to do to my TBSS that uses PWM for DRL's

 

[VeeDubTDI]

the issue with installing HID's isn't that the bcm is just sending lower voltage, it is actually sending the same voltage, but pulsing it so the lamp see's a lower voltage. pulsing anything to a ballast is a bad thing.



try this, something i had to do to my TBSS that uses PWM for DRL's

Turn off the bulb life extender - problem solved.

 

[carlrx7]

Turn off the bulb life extender - problem solved.

this was for people that didn't have VCDS and just needed a clean signal to hook up HID's.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Ah - there are plenty of VCDSs around unless someone lives in a super rural area. See the link in my signature for VCDS locator.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Heres a pic of the 10000k kit. The only pic i got before the ballast failed. Ill post some better ones once i get my replacement ballast and VCDS. Hopefully they come by this weekend
http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/V8Nissan/2012-08-05_18-09-03_264.jpg

Any new pics?

 

[jafische]

I have run mine to the max. I believe it was 13.6V. Big difference. It is hard to tell the difference unless you really pick an object and focus on it's intensity before and after the change. Looking at it overall for brightness is difficult. Did not alter tail light V's.

 

[VWJayhawk]

Just a quicky question on this setting. I adjusted my bulb voltage to 13.0V several weeks ago and did notice a slight increase in brightness. Last night I was feeling a little spunky, so I turned them up to 13.4V. Noticeably brighter! However, I notice on my ScanGauge that my indicated system voltage, which normally hovers in the 14.1-14.3V range, drops down to the ~13.8V range when I have the lights on. I realize my bulb life will be shorter for the lights, but am I doing any long-term harm or premature wear to my electrical system (battery, etc) with the increased drawdown, as indicated on the ScanGauge?

What is the system voltage with the lights on as you're going down the road?

13.8 when I took it for a spin last night.

That's within the normal range.

Sorry to backtrack on this, but it sounds like it is fine to turn the lights up above 13V? There is not negative drain on the car or electrical system that could cause any problems, right?

I ask because it is a bit brighter at 13V vs 12.8V from factory (looks like 2012 was 12.6 and 2013 was 12.8), but would like to bump it up to maybe 13.2/13.4 or something.

Thanks all

 

[Lightflyer1]

The option wouldn't be there if it wasn't allright, I would imagine.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

It won't hurt a thing aside from slightly reducing the life of your headlamps.

 

[IXLR8]

Sorry to backtrack on this, but it sounds like it is fine to turn the lights up above 13V? There is not negative drain on the car or electrical system that could cause any problems, right?
I ask because it is a bit brighter at 13V vs 12.8V from factory (looks like 2012 was 12.6 and 2013 was 12.8), but would like to bump it up to maybe 13.2/13.4 or something.
Thanks all

I have had the "bulb life extension" disabled on mine for the last 13K miles, no issues, just lots of light. The same bulbs were used in my Golf as low beams and the DRL's... they lasted 50K miles each on average. Based on that.. I expect these, running at full alternator voltage, to last over 75k miles, since they are not running as DRL's as well. Which is just fine by me to have the extra light output. Those who are putting in the higher wattage bulbs could have the same effect, just by disabling the bulb life extension. There are 10's of thousands of cars running the same bulbs at max voltage with no issues. Crank up the voltage and enjoy better lighting.

 

[VWJayhawk]

The option wouldn't be there if it wasn't allright, I would imagine.

This was my thought - although I've gotten in trouble with this before haha.

It won't hurt a thing aside from slightly reducing the life of your headlamps.

Thank you!!

I have had the "bulb life extension" disabled on mine for the last 13K miles, no issues, just lots of light. The same bulbs were used in my Golf as low beams and the DRL's... they lasted 50K miles each on average. Based on that.. I expect these, running at full alternator voltage, to last over 75k miles, since they are not running as DRL's as well. Which is just fine by me to have the extra light output. Those who are putting in the higher wattage bulbs could have the same effect, just by disabling the bulb life extension. There are 10's of thousands of cars running the same bulbs at max voltage with no issues. Crank up the voltage and enjoy better lighting.

Thank you!!

 

[Kubla84]

do you need the VCDS to turn of the bulb life extender function?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Yes. If you don't have VCDS, this is the person closest to you who may be able to help you...

http://www.batchgeo.com/map/?i=e0bc1e34678c6588fe1b2a6a5944ad32&q=elmwood+place,+ohio

You can also click the VCDS Locator link in my signature to search TDIClub's list - there are several folks near you. Just zoom in on your location on the map.

 

[GuyGuy]

I need to get a hold of VCDS in Langley BC area to turn to 13V and having fog lights on with high beams.

That's exactly what I want to do!!

 

[4ePikanini]

can this be done with VCDS lite that doesn't have the long coding helper?

 

[Hypermile]

I am currently installing hid low beams 10000k on my car. The voltage to low beams with the high beams on is reduced to around 11.9 volts. At that voltage my hid lights start flickering and burned up the ballast. The normal voltage for the ballasts is 13.2. So I need to purchase the cable and software to adjust the voltage or run wires from the battery with relays to get full batt voltage.

10000K!? Like Fred said, "to each their own". I have bulb life extension disabled and have no issues with my HID system. No resistor, not error canceller no relay from battery........ Just P&P.

 

[IXLR8]

Just a followup, I disabled the bulb life extension on my car so my bulbs are running at full alternator output. I run my low beams as the DRL's due to the idiots in my area wanting to cut me off. I want all the light out there I can get so hopefully the idiots will see me and not cause an accident. With about 60k miles on the car I have had my first bulb fail. It was my left low beam and I changed out both low beam bulbs. The right side was looking like it was not far behind the left as far as going. I can accept 60K miles for bulb life for the extra light I am getting.

 

[rustycat]

Although this isn't the most perfect string to insert this Cut and Paste, I'll do it anyway, because it's here, ggg.
I pulled the following out of an article about a new light that is being developed for non automotive use. I was surprised by claim that LEDs lose their brightness rather quickly and wondered about all the LEDs in the automotive World.

But Dyson, who has been testing various products at his London office, explained to the paper that most others don't retain their brightness for a huge amount of time. “In some cases you can buy an LED product and six months later it’s 30% less bright – but you won’t realise that because you’re living with it,” he told The Guardian.
Dyson learned that keeping an LED under a certain temperature prolongs its lifespan. Crucially, Ariel is kept at 55 degrees using pipes that continually filter heat away.
He tells the Guardian: “LEDs have the ability to last for life — that’s why they were invented in the first place. But companies sell LED lights that only last seven years so they can sell more in seven years’ time."


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jack-dyson-ariel-led-light-lasts-40-years-2014-12#ixzz3NOahEeWZ

 

[Wankel7]

Heres a pic of the 10000k kit. The only pic i got before the ballast failed. Ill post some better ones once i get my replacement ballast and VCDS. Hopefully they come by this weekend

Why do people put HID bulbs and ballasts in their stock reflector based headlights. Ugh.

Don't let reality stand in the way of a good idea.