Switchback LED DRL owners step inside [Pics]
03-07-2009, 11:34 AM
#1
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Switchback LED DRL owners step inside [Pics]
I have had the original 20 LED switchbacks for a couple of years now and I have loved how they look. There have been advances by the switchback manufacturer and they now offer switchbacks with 30 and 48 LEDs.
Recently I have started to notice that when I turned on my lights and the switchbacks turned white, I was getting a strobe effect. Upon investigating further, I came to realize that the strobe affect was actually due to quite a few of the white LEDs being out!
I checked out the other side and sure enough, I had several white spots that were not firing. An odd thing is that all the amber LEDs were working as normal.
After discovering the issue with the white being out, I decided to order a set of the 48 count switchbacks. Initially, I was worried that the 48s might be too tall to fit in the housing, but I have read that other forum members including my son, tbrent, use them without problems.
I have taken a couple of pics comparing the 20 LED switchback to the 48. You can see that the 48 is actually shorter in overall length than the 20 is.
I took more pics to show how the original 20 LED bulbs have burned out white LEDs. You can see the top is out along with a couple rows on the sides.
The new SMT 48 LED switchbacks went in without a hitch and they all fired up as they should.
These new bulbs are very bright, especially in a clear corner lense.
So the bottom line for all you other switchback guys out there is to check out your bulbs, your white ones may be burnt out too.
Recently I have started to notice that when I turned on my lights and the switchbacks turned white, I was getting a strobe effect. Upon investigating further, I came to realize that the strobe affect was actually due to quite a few of the white LEDs being out!
I checked out the other side and sure enough, I had several white spots that were not firing. An odd thing is that all the amber LEDs were working as normal.
After discovering the issue with the white being out, I decided to order a set of the 48 count switchbacks. Initially, I was worried that the 48s might be too tall to fit in the housing, but I have read that other forum members including my son, tbrent, use them without problems.
I have taken a couple of pics comparing the 20 LED switchback to the 48. You can see that the 48 is actually shorter in overall length than the 20 is.
I took more pics to show how the original 20 LED bulbs have burned out white LEDs. You can see the top is out along with a couple rows on the sides.
The new SMT 48 LED switchbacks went in without a hitch and they all fired up as they should.
These new bulbs are very bright, especially in a clear corner lense.
So the bottom line for all you other switchback guys out there is to check out your bulbs, your white ones may be burnt out too.
03-07-2009, 12:33 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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Good timing! I'm just getting ready to install a set. Now don't flame me please, but I'm not certain how the stock corner light housings are held in place in order to remove them and install the new black depo housings. I don't have ramps, so I'm removing the headlamp assemblies and will be getting to them through the top rather than from underneath. I'm going to be installing and HID kit in the fogs today (hopefully) as well.
Could I please get a link to the instructions for swapping out the corner housings?
Could I please get a link to the instructions for swapping out the corner housings?
Last edited by JMc; 03-07-2009 at 12:44 PM.
03-07-2009, 03:51 PM
#7
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Kindly disregard my request above for the link for removing/replacing the corner housings. I had sent that post from my iphone and after getting back home I looked up the procedure.
I installed the flasher bypass harness and black depo housings and the switchback LED's. I accomplished this by removing the headlamps, since I'm also going to be installing HID fogs later today, hopefully (still waiting for the mail to arrive). This made access really terrific and the installation was a breeze.
I do have a question, though...
I was testing the switchbacks and right now when I turn on the parking lamps, the light up white as expected. But when the ignition is on, the DRL's are not functioning. The headlamps are still out and I am assuming that this is affecting the operation of the switchbacks, since the headlamp circuit is broken at the moment. Does this sound correct?
I installed the flasher bypass harness and black depo housings and the switchback LED's. I accomplished this by removing the headlamps, since I'm also going to be installing HID fogs later today, hopefully (still waiting for the mail to arrive). This made access really terrific and the installation was a breeze.
I do have a question, though...
I was testing the switchbacks and right now when I turn on the parking lamps, the light up white as expected. But when the ignition is on, the DRL's are not functioning. The headlamps are still out and I am assuming that this is affecting the operation of the switchbacks, since the headlamp circuit is broken at the moment. Does this sound correct?
03-07-2009, 11:40 PM
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I do have a question, though...
I was testing the switchbacks and right now when I turn on the parking lamps, the light up white as expected. But when the ignition is on, the DRL's are not functioning. The headlamps are still out and I am assuming that this is affecting the operation of the switchbacks, since the headlamp circuit is broken at the moment. Does this sound correct?
at least, that's how it works on my car.
03-08-2009, 01:25 AM
#10
Racer
Hey Jdmvette, love your set-up. Do you know the overall length of the 48 led switchbacks you put in. I removed the stock bulb and it is 2 inch overall. There is a little room for length but not much. This mod I have to do because I have the Hid lows and fogs in the garage waiting to be put in. Thanks Tom
03-08-2009, 03:15 AM
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Hey Jdmvette, love your set-up. Do you know the overall length of the 48 led switchbacks you put in. I removed the stock bulb and it is 2 inch overall. There is a little room for length but not much. This mod I have to do because I have the Hid lows and fogs in the garage waiting to be put in. Thanks Tom
you will like the look of these bulbs because the white matches a 6000k bulb very well.
03-08-2009, 10:37 AM
#14
Melting Slicks
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anybody have pics of switchbacks in stock housings? or could somebody throw on a stock housing and shoot a pic? i have stockers and don't want to buy switchbacks if they are gonna look dim on the stockers
03-08-2009, 01:33 PM
#15
Racer
I e-mailed Tracy at xxxxxxxxxx about overal heights of the 3157 switchbacks. her response
Hi Tom
The 20 led SB is 56 mm tall
The 30 and 48 led SMT SB is 52 mm tall.
Thanks,
Tracy
My stock bulb is 50.8 mm tall so height shouldn't be an issue
Hi Tom
The 20 led SB is 56 mm tall
The 30 and 48 led SMT SB is 52 mm tall.
Thanks,
Tracy
My stock bulb is 50.8 mm tall so height shouldn't be an issue
Last edited by Tact; 03-08-2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Non supporting vendor
Do you have some type of fog/driving light on too or is that just the switchbacks? 