on my newly purchased X i have so far changed the low beams and hi beams to the H1ST silverstar by Sylvania. Nothing to report on that change, other than its prob the most ive done to a car other than pump gas! --clearly automotive illiterate-- however, trying to learn...I cannot figure out how to make my running lights NOT yellow anymore! I can't figure out which bulbs to which will make them white? The local automotive store keeps selling me stuff that i have to figure out on my own that what they just sold me doesnt fit! HELP! What small light bulb will make my running lights match the rest of my bulbs!?

 

Have the same setup and was wondering the same thing, I know sylvania makes a 194 bulb to match the silverstar lights but I can't find them around here, only ebay has them = "Silverstar 194". Haven't got them to try it out but that's the closest thing that comes to mind.

 

Lotus, look for some LED 194 bulbs. I wil admit that they are going to be a bit pricy (about $20 for a set of 2 bulbs normally). But, they will almost make your silverstars look yellow because they are so white.

Option #2 (the one I have done) is to get your hands on some 10MM 285K MCD LEDs. You can fold the leads over twice (make the leads 3 layers thick) and that will make it so the bulb plugs right into the factory base and then you simply have to add a 1 watt 150 ohm resistor in series with the light. This will drop the voltage to what the LED can handle (the LED is only rated to handle 3.5 VDC), but again, this will give you a really white light (same light as a 6000K HID bulb). This can be done for around $1 per side provided you can find the LEDs being sold individually. If you get say a package of 10, that would be enough to do your entire car (2 running lights in the front, the 6 on the side for the marker lights, and 2 for the license plate). If you need more info on this, let me know.

 

Hey Thermo

I had one of the little running lights blow so replaced it but they are really anemic compared to the HIS, almost deleted them entirely this weekend. But you solution has peaked my curiousity. Can you PM me a more in depth (factor that I am not quote electrically iliterate but close) description on what needs to be done. Or are you just talking about the small leads coming out of the base of each bulb and folding them over? And does the resistor just go inline on the positive wire?

 

Thanks thermo, the local autozone has the 194's. Im gonna try them n see how they do! - on a brihter nite ( no pun intended) just picked my X up from gettin my minagallery catbacks with porsche tips installed. Sounds great!

 

Sidewalkman, this is the look that you are after:


What you are trying to avoid is something like this:


The first pic is of the 10MM LEDs installed. The second picture is of the factory bulbs against the HID headlights. I think that first pic is what you are after. I will tell you right now that the 10MM LEDs are a tad bit dimmer than the factory 5W bulbs, but not by much. Also, you will tend to notice that from a distance, you will see a large light dot on the outside with a smaller white dot inside of the larger dot. Because the LEDs are fairly directional, you don't get a lot of light given off to the side to fill the inner light housings. But, as the picture shows, it does a decent job. The side marker lights are more prone to the spot of light due to the closeness of the bulb to the outside plastic. But, I like the look. Just wanted to give you a heads up of what to expect.

 

yep, top pic is what im after...thanks! Tomorrow morning(or later today) im going to put in the new bulb and see what happens.

 

Thermo, noticed ur an operator. Im also in the nuke industry, yay for random rad workers!

 

Lotus16, I did operations inside the Navy for 20 years. BUt, I have since retired from there and now am an Instrument Tech (working on a mix of electronics and air control systems for the reactor). Much easier job. So, if you ever make it down to Calvert Cliffs, let me know. I'm an hour south of DC. On a side note, do you do the travelling worker bit or do you work at a plant there permanently?

 

I work there permanently, if i get out to ur area ill drop u a msg. From time to time we go benchmark other plants for policy/procedure changes that we may make.

 

I just installed the 194 silverstar h1st, waiting for nighttime to evaluate difference. Still looks a little yellow. I missed the LED thing, i went with the bluish silverstars. We'll see.

 

Lotus, are you at TMI or where? We have a guy at my plant right now that I am working with that is from TMI. Oh how small of a world it would be if that was the case.

 

Actually just had the opportunity to benchmark there but didnt get to go. Im at susquehanna.

 

Lotus16, how long have you been as Susque? One of my instructors was around there for when they built the units there. I don't know if you would remember a guy by the name of Jack Jerald. He would have worked in the I&C shop. he had all sorts of horror stories about how you guys wanted all sorts of unique things for your plant. To listen to him, the Bechtel guys were calling you guys some "flowery" names. Gotta love nuclear power and the "need to be different".

 

haha im sure we can be called alot of things!! lol On a brighter note, i finally received those led lights to solve the running light issue....they don't fill the entire area of the light, but they are no longer yellow and my OCD has been quelled for now! i have what appears in the top photo (above) my low levels arent as bright but everything is fine for now. Thanks again.