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LED kit installed in my fog lights, yay!

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#41 ·
yuyueyuyue said:
I'm not sure if that's a closed compartment. It seems pretty wide open to me. Open the hood and try look down from behind the driver side headlight.

I'm thinking maybe use some heavy duty double sided tape since I can't find any existing suitable bolts within reach of the wires, and I don't plan tapping any new screws there. Just unsure about the thermals, probably find some tape that's 'overkill'. Also unsure about the ballast's water resistance rating, I will probably do a stress testing on the temperature, if it's okay I might put it in a balloon and then zip tie it...
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okay, just went back into the box and checked the ballast, it looks pretty good, I would probably only seal the connector between the LED and the ballast. (probably should call it controller?)
 
#42 ·
Here is a question for everyone, Does anyone know if you can swap in a LED Fog Light kit in a 2006 model? I would love to change out the current lights for either a brighter halogen bulb or better yet the LED's if the will work.
 
#44 ·
There's a good choice to improve fog lights

It's worth mentioning that aftermarket kits, especially hid versions, are not DOT approved. Further more, increasing wattage could result in damage to lamp sockets or wiring due to increased current draw. There's a solution.

I offer Philips CrystalVision Xenon gas filled fogs for all Touareg models. These are white color to our eyes, not halogen yellow. Furthermore, they are long life bulbs that cost between $35-42 delivered as a set of two. Finally, they are designed to be used in the oem lamp holders. Never an issue!

I urge anyone who wants to improve their fog lights to realize that these no-name aftermarket "upgrades" are so in name only, and do represent a risk to the integrity of the vehicle.

Geoff
 
#45 ·
QPower1 said:
It's worth mentioning that aftermarket kits, especially hid versions, are not DOT approved. Further more, increasing wattage could result in damage to lamp sockets or wiring due to increased current draw. There's a solution.

I offer Philips CrystalVision Xenon gas filled fogs for all Touareg models. These are white color to our eyes, not halogen yellow. Furthermore, they are long life bulbs that cost between $35-42 delivered as a set of two. Finally, they are designed to be used in the oem lamp holders. Never an issue!

I urge anyone who wants to improve their fog lights to realize that these no-name aftermarket "upgrades" are so in name only, and do represent a risk to the integrity of the vehicle.

Geoff
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Question. If they are xenon "gas filled", it is impossible for them to be halogen, rather high intensity discharge that require ballasts to ignite.

Are these bulbs halogen?

What wattage do they draw?

Closing statements, I would like to note that HID ballasts usually draw 35 watts vs the 55 halogen standard. It is only the start up draw that can sometimes exceed 55 watts of power consumption. There are, in fact, ballasts that draw only 4 amps on start up, and are safe for OEM wiring systems. Also, the installation of LEDs should not be an issue with power consumption, as they draw far less than stock halogen bulbs do.
 
#46 ·
ArgonSr said:
Here is a question for everyone, Does anyone know if you can swap in a LED Fog Light kit in a 2006 model? I would love to change out the current lights for either a brighter halogen bulb or better yet the LED's if the will work.
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Read this and you'll understand why what you're proposing is actually a *bad* idea.

Here's a short excerpt to get your attention:

So all in all, when we use front fog lamps inappropriately, we feel like our seeing is better than it really is and we unconsciously adjust our driving to match how safe we feel. That, in turn, makes us less safe!

​
The author, Daniel Stern, knows what he's talking about. He's been in the lighting business for a long time...in fact I think he installed a set of carbide running lamps on my horseless buggy a few years ago. :)
 
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#47 ·
Ok guys so fogs ordered and delivered!! However, someoneeee won't let me have them until Christmas. I thought by paying for them I would get them haha. But I will be posting pictures and how my instal went the week following the holiday! Thanks for the help!!
 
#48 ·
Also I know this isn't the thread for this, but being that it is pretty active i figured I would throw the question out on here. I interested in getting the European fog switch so that I can use my rear fogs on my 2012, however the part that I found on ecs (https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Touareg_3--V6/Lighting/Switches/ES1236851/) seems to delete the "auto" option, which is what I leave it on always, because I usually forget to turn my lights on otherwise haha. Any other options you guys know of out there? I did a little but of looking but I wouldn't say I've done a ton. I figured before I went digging I would give this a shot. Thanks guys!
 
Discussion starter · #51 ·
Mike K said:
Did it! Can't thank you enough for your help Ben! Been a great experience on the forums so far!! 80w starnil are SUPER bright!!! Pics soon. When this app doesn't crash trying to upload them!
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You are welcome Mike! I'm glad you like the unreal-increased output.

It makes the cornering function useful too.

I had the Treg out in actual fog two nights in a row last week and the lights were a big help.

If you do get pics, don't post useless ones looking at the front of the vehicle, take them from either the drivers seat inside the truck or outside with the light on the ground. We know what looking at a light looks like.
 
#52 ·
BenTDI said:
No pics, yet, sorry.

I had been running a Morimoto 9006 4300K 50W HID kit in my fog lights and it has been great, so much more usable light/output when needed on rainy or wet roads, but even with a CanBus adapter, every now and then I'd have to hit the fog light button 4-6 times and pay attention to make sure both lights go on. Plus, anytime I'd back out of a space, I'd get the error message on the MFD. Lastly, because it takes a bit for the HID's to get to full brightness, the cornering light function was rendered about useless.

I just installed this LED kit last night: Amazon.com: New Brights LED Headlight Conversion Kit All Bulb Sizes 80W 6400LM Cree LED Replaces Halogen and HID Bulbs - 9006 (HB4): Automotive

Plug and play, just like the HID kit, but with an even smaller ballast, I used the CanBus adapter I already had and like advertised, full power on start-up and no flickering or error messages. The LED bulb has the LED on only one side of the bulb but when I had looked at the output, the LED has no shadows or hot spots as compared to the HID. I like it so far but I'll be able to see how much better it is tonight on my drive home from work.

I already like that the lights fire up right away and that I'll have the cornering function back.

I ordered this kit for my wifes H11 fog light housing in her 2015:

Amazon.com: Starnill LED Headlight Conversion Kit - All Bulb Sizes - 80W 7200LM COB LED - Replaces Halogen & HID Bulbs (H11): Automotive

It has the 3-sided LED array so I'll see how that works in a few days. $75 shipped is cheap. I put in a set of 100W H11 clear halogens a few weeks ago and while better than the 55W stock bulbs, compared to LED or HID, the output just blows-chow.
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Just installed this kit yesterday on my 2015!! What a difference in how bright they are. Now I have useful foglights/cornering lights compared to the stock "candles" They match the headlights perfectly as well. Thank you for doing the R&D work on this upgrade!!

Now we need to figure out how to brighten up the back up lights!!
 
#54 ·
Long Runner said:
What Kelvin temp did you guys buy to match the OEM headlights?
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Stock xenon bulb will be 4300K. Anything higher in an aux bulb will appear blueish in comparison.

Just checked ...the Amazon listing states 6000K for the retrofit kit, so unless the headlight bulbs are changed too, they are not going to match. That having been said, I don't have hands-on experience in trying to match LED bulbs with xenon bulbs.

But then again, I think the idea of 80 watt fog light bulbs, not designed for the specific projector, will cause glare in fog and snow, and overbright, uncontrolled light output putting oncoming drivers at risk.

More on-road light directly in front of the vehicle is not necessarily better...in fact it can cause a false sense of security (sure, I can see everything) and worse night vision. Sure, you have more light on the road directly in front of you (and your eyes will adjust to that brightness), but you don't have any more light illuminating that deer on the shoulder 50 yards down the road...and you will be less likely to see that deer.

Ever wonder why many German cars use red illumination for instrument clusters? It allows you to retain your night vision and see things outside the car.
 
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Discussion starter · #55 ·
SkeezerTDI said:
Just installed this kit yesterday on my 2015!! What a difference in how bright they are. Now I have useful foglights/cornering lights compared to the stock "candles" They match the headlights perfectly as well. Thank you for doing the R&D work on this upgrade!!

Now we need to figure out how to brighten up the back up lights!!
Click to expand...


The difference is awesome. I had seen someone on thehulltruth.com, that had installed an LED kit in their pickup truck and were happy with the new LED bulbs, now with ballasts, and reasonably priced compared to what they were some 2-3 years ago.


I'll never go back to HID bulbs, LED kits are the way forward. In either fog, rain or even snow, the visibility is the way it should be with how foglights should work, unlike the lame 55w bulbs they put in that are no better than a flashlight shining through a jar of piss.
 
#56 ·
Update on the Starnhills.... I've had a connector corrode and fail twice now within a year. The first time I chalked it up to a fluke, and Starnhill replaced them under warranty. When I installed the replacement pair, I really gooped up the chintzy connector with "liquid electrical tape" to seal out any moisture. They failed again at the same spot. This time Starnhill said they would not replace them, because the ORIGINAL date of purchase put them out of warranty. They don't warranty each pair.... I said that was unacceptable, and they agreed to replace them again just this once, but this would be the last time. (They still haven't showed up, and it's been weeks, and several reminders...)

I replaced them with the following bulbs. The plugs and connectors are much more robust, and the light is at least as bright, if not brighter. Plug and play, just like the Starnhill's. At this point, I would recommend these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXO0W17/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
Discussion starter · #57 ·
Yoopmqt said:
Update on the Starnhills.... I've had a connector corrode and fail twice now within a year. The first time I chalked it up to a fluke, and Starnhill replaced them under warranty. When I installed the replacement pair, I really gooped up the chintzy connector with "liquid electrical tape" to seal out any moisture. They failed again at the same spot. This time Starnhill said they would not replace them, because the ORIGINAL date of purchase put them out of warranty. They don't warranty each pair.... I said that was unacceptable, and they agreed to replace them again just this once, but this would be the last time. (They still haven't showed up, and it's been weeks, and several reminders...)

I replaced them with the following bulbs. The plugs and connectors are much more robust, and the light is at least as bright, if not brighter. Plug and play, just like the Starnhill's. At this point, I would recommend these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXO0W17/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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4-sided is a definite plus.

I had gotten hit in the fog light area and it caused the bulb to stop working. The ballast still works but the bulb is inoperable.

I went back to the 50W HID Morimoto kit I had and while the output/actual light is about double of the LED kit, I still have to deal with no-fire and have to press the fog light button on and off about 5 times to make sure my drivers side lights up.
 
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