LED Number Plate Lights
- Thread starter Bing
- Start date
Just buy the OE LEDs 
Led numberplate lights 63.26.7.193.294
Connectors for above 61.13.8.365.340
£25 the lot from Soper
Led numberplate lights 63.26.7.193.294
Connectors for above 61.13.8.365.340
£25 the lot from Soper
Sad times, flog them on ebay and get the genuine article 
So Mark sent me some OEM bulb holders and I had a chance to see if I could butcher them to make use of my un-returnable LED units. And in the process make a set that sit flush like the OEM holders. Cheers Mark 
I have taken some pics of the process, I think it's been successful, and I did a wee write up. But I've just lost everything I typed and can't be arsed doing it again this evening. So you'll have to wait I'm afraid. For now I'll leave you with this comparison of the two units so you can see the difference in thickness :
The dark black line on the LED unit is a foam gasket. Even removing this did not help make it fit, so I have found a way of combing the two. Which I will tell you all about tomorrow
I have taken some pics of the process, I think it's been successful, and I did a wee write up. But I've just lost everything I typed and can't be arsed doing it again this evening. So you'll have to wait I'm afraid. For now I'll leave you with this comparison of the two units so you can see the difference in thickness :
The dark black line on the LED unit is a foam gasket. Even removing this did not help make it fit, so I have found a way of combing the two. Which I will tell you all about tomorrow
Right then, let's try this again... So as you can see from the photo below, the LED units are much thicker than the OEM ones, and will be very obvious in daylight :
Also, that big plastic 'stalk' with the retaining spring in it makes it nigh on impossible for them to fit in my bumper, and they wouldn't be coming out again if I'd forced them in. I figured I'd try to make a hybrid, using the LED element from one attached to the 'base' of the OEM one (cheers Mark, for giving me spares )
My craft skills are renowned on here, so I have to say I wasn't confident... This is how the LED units split :
They don't break down any more than that, but then you need the heat sink for the 18 LEDs, which is the copper coloured band.
The OEM unit is one piece of plastic with a clear plastic window. Using a junior hacksaw with a fine tooth blade I set to work giving me a frame to mount the LED unit to. The design of the OEM one is such that, with some careful cutting, it is possible to keep the retaining clip, which is handy... Here is the split unit :
I then had to mount the LED housing. The OEM units are a tight fit in the bumper opening though, so I had to trim a couple of millimetres off each of the long sides on the 'base' of the LED housing. Here's the two bits together, not in place though. The LEDs will be set back from the window in the OEM base and behind their own window in turn, but they are so bright I figured that wouldn't matter.
I then used my trusty silicone adhesive to stick the two pieces together - it's strong, fills gaps, and it's waterproof. The latter being important as there is no gasket on the OEM units and the watertight seal is normally created by the bulb holder. Silicone is not very elegant though, and it doesn't look too pretty. Here's a couple of pics of the finished article :
Fitted to the bulb holder on the car, working I used black masking tape to wrap the connector to the LED housing, and to keep the other end in the original bulb holder. I then used a small cable tie to attach the wire you can see to the bulb holder to stop things moving around in the bumper. No pics of that though sorry...
Finally both fitted, looking nice and flush. Pretty bright, even during the day :
That shot is taken pretty low down, standing upright you can't see them.
And here's a pic at night - insanely bright 8)
In total it probably took me about 90mins, including quite a bit of head scratching time. I've also completed my LED switchover by using the bulbs that were in the holders I removed for the boot and the glovebox. Job done.
Also, that big plastic 'stalk' with the retaining spring in it makes it nigh on impossible for them to fit in my bumper, and they wouldn't be coming out again if I'd forced them in. I figured I'd try to make a hybrid, using the LED element from one attached to the 'base' of the OEM one (cheers Mark, for giving me spares
)My craft skills are renowned on here, so I have to say I wasn't confident... This is how the LED units split :
They don't break down any more than that, but then you need the heat sink for the 18 LEDs, which is the copper coloured band.
The OEM unit is one piece of plastic with a clear plastic window. Using a junior hacksaw with a fine tooth blade I set to work giving me a frame to mount the LED unit to. The design of the OEM one is such that, with some careful cutting, it is possible to keep the retaining clip, which is handy... Here is the split unit :
I then had to mount the LED housing. The OEM units are a tight fit in the bumper opening though, so I had to trim a couple of millimetres off each of the long sides on the 'base' of the LED housing. Here's the two bits together, not in place though. The LEDs will be set back from the window in the OEM base and behind their own window in turn, but they are so bright I figured that wouldn't matter.
I then used my trusty silicone adhesive to stick the two pieces together - it's strong, fills gaps, and it's waterproof. The latter being important as there is no gasket on the OEM units and the watertight seal is normally created by the bulb holder. Silicone is not very elegant though, and it doesn't look too pretty. Here's a couple of pics of the finished article :
Fitted to the bulb holder on the car, working
I used black masking tape to wrap the connector to the LED housing, and to keep the other end in the original bulb holder. I then used a small cable tie to attach the wire you can see to the bulb holder to stop things moving around in the bumper. No pics of that though sorry...
Finally both fitted, looking nice and flush. Pretty bright, even during the day :
That shot is taken pretty low down, standing upright you can't see them.
And here's a pic at night - insanely bright 8)
In total it probably took me about 90mins, including quite a bit of head scratching time. I've also completed my LED switchover by using the bulbs that were in the holders I removed for the boot and the glovebox. Job done.
Well Done Bing ..
Now just get them into production !
I swapped mine out 3 years ago with the Ebay units that include that small wiring harness adapter.
Works a charm except you can see the lower edge of the lens frame.
I just ignore it but I expect many obsessive compulsives would be driven bonkers by that 2mm of exposed mod.
Actually my biggest concern was the amount of illumination on the pavement under the back bumper...
Cheers and another well done !
Bumpy
Now just get them into production !
I swapped mine out 3 years ago with the Ebay units that include that small wiring harness adapter.
Works a charm except you can see the lower edge of the lens frame.
I just ignore it but I expect many obsessive compulsives would be driven bonkers by that 2mm of exposed mod.
Actually my biggest concern was the amount of illumination on the pavement under the back bumper...
Cheers and another well done !
Bumpy
Cheers Bumpy
Yeah, if I could have gotten the units in then my OCD would have rejected them. It's more like 3 and a bit mm
The brightness struck me too, but to be honest car lights behind drown it out. I like it though, it's like the car has a happy angry face on - kind of like my usual expression...
Yeah, if I could have gotten the units in then my OCD would have rejected them. It's more like 3 and a bit mm
The brightness struck me too, but to be honest car lights behind drown it out. I like it though, it's like the car has a happy angry face on - kind of like my usual expression...
markeg said:I have the ones JE linked earlier - they also don't grip well in the bumper, so have been looking at alternatives - agreed they stick out a bit much.
Looks like a good save Bing - and not a Dremmel in sight, totally old school
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Old skool is how I roll ... Thanks mostly to an inadequate tool box
Nice save, glad you managed it.