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Spoke
Here's the 911 board with the reflector installed. The fit is very good and should be an easy update for anyone. One annoyance with the converter module is it has no undervoltage lockout. It starts turning on at about 3-4V and can run very hot at this voltage.

The 911 foglight burns about 9W.

DRPHIL914
QUOTE(Spoke @ Jun 11 2019, 09:44 PM) *

Finally got the 2nd 914 foglight assembled. This discrete converter kicks ass but is a pain in the ass to assemble.

The board on the left is a 911 foglight. I'm hoping to get those installed on my 930 this weekend. The 911 foglight uses a boost module and is much easier to assemble. The only difference at this point is the module is 350ma whereas the discrete converter is 500ma. I'm hoping the 911 foglight will still be significantly brighter than the OEM bulb even with the lower 350ma current.

If the 911 foglight is bright enough, I may go with the module for the 914 foglights. I have 4 of these first 914 boards that I will build up. I'll put a pair on my 914 and give the other pair to mepstein.



any updates on the beta testing of these? hoping to get a set when you are ready to do so.
@spoke @mepstein

Dr. Phil
Spoke
QUOTE(DRPHIL914 @ Jul 16 2019, 09:49 AM) *

QUOTE(Spoke @ Jun 11 2019, 09:44 PM) *

Finally got the 2nd 914 foglight assembled. This discrete converter kicks ass but is a pain in the ass to assemble.

The board on the left is a 911 foglight. I'm hoping to get those installed on my 930 this weekend. The 911 foglight uses a boost module and is much easier to assemble. The only difference at this point is the module is 350ma whereas the discrete converter is 500ma. I'm hoping the 911 foglight will still be significantly brighter than the OEM bulb even with the lower 350ma current.

If the 911 foglight is bright enough, I may go with the module for the 914 foglights. I have 4 of these first 914 boards that I will build up. I'll put a pair on my 914 and give the other pair to mepstein.



any updates on the beta testing of these? hoping to get a set when you are ready to do so.
@spoke @mepstein

Dr. Phil


I did get a 2nd set of fogs assembled for mepstein but haven't refurbished his or my foglight cases. Don't want to put the foglights in beat up cases. It will be a few weeks before I get our foglights ready to test out.

I'm further ahead with the 911 foglights as they use a dc-dc converter module with very few discrete components and are very easy to assemble. Any further 914 fogs will use this module.

Here's a link at Pelican:

911 Foglights

This is the 2nd set of 911 fogs built and sent to a 911 guy for him to install and evaluate.

Click to view attachment
DRPHIL914
QUOTE(Spoke @ Jul 17 2019, 08:20 AM) *

QUOTE(DRPHIL914 @ Jul 16 2019, 09:49 AM) *

QUOTE(Spoke @ Jun 11 2019, 09:44 PM) *

Finally got the 2nd 914 foglight assembled. This discrete converter kicks ass but is a pain in the ass to assemble.

The board on the left is a 911 foglight. I'm hoping to get those installed on my 930 this weekend. The 911 foglight uses a boost module and is much easier to assemble. The only difference at this point is the module is 350ma whereas the discrete converter is 500ma. I'm hoping the 911 foglight will still be significantly brighter than the OEM bulb even with the lower 350ma current.

If the 911 foglight is bright enough, I may go with the module for the 914 foglights. I have 4 of these first 914 boards that I will build up. I'll put a pair on my 914 and give the other pair to mepstein.



any updates on the beta testing of these? hoping to get a set when you are ready to do so.
@spoke @mepstein

Dr. Phil


I did get a 2nd set of fogs assembled for mepstein but haven't refurbished his or my foglight cases. Don't want to put the foglights in beat up cases. It will be a few weeks before I get our foglights ready to test out.

I'm further ahead with the 911 foglights as they use a dc-dc converter module with very few discrete components and are very easy to assemble. Any further 914 fogs will use this module.

Here's a link at Pelican:

911 Foglights

This is the 2nd set of 911 fogs built and sent to a 911 guy for him to install and evaluate.

Click to view attachment

thanks for the update . If I had known your issues were mainly dealing with
the condition of the fog lights I could have sent you mine, they are mint condition no rust or corrosion. in fact if you make that next set with this 911converter you are now planning on using I will pull these off the car and send them to you if you want to put them in and do some testing or have me test them. I have some other running lights I can put in or just go with out them for a while , I rarely drive the car in this 100 degree heat. I would like to have it complete before Okteenerfest though.
either way let me know.

Phil
mepstein
Jerry, I wish I sent you better condition fogs. I just know it was taking me so long to send anything that I wanted you to have something to work with. I found the nicer sets when I stopped looking for them. I can refurbish the housings at work, powdercoat, ect so don't feel like you have to do more work on these. I promise not to post pictures until they look pretty. biggrin.gif
ConeDodger
I’d love to do these but my fogs are actually aftermarket. Pilots I think...
ConeDodger
@Spoke any chance of doing amber?
Spoke
QUOTE(ConeDodger @ Jul 17 2019, 02:43 PM) *

@Spoke any chance of doing amber?


Interesting thought. I'm not sure amber would work with the board designed for white LEDs. The reason is the voltage drop of the amber LED is 2V and the voltage drop of the white is 3V.

With 8 LEDs in series, the amber LEDs would drop 16V whereas the white will drop 24V. The issue is the boost converter I've targeted requires at least 3V difference between input (up to 14V) and output (16V for 8 amber; 24V for 8 white).

If 2 more amber LEDs were added, then the voltage drop would be 20V and compatible with the converter. I could either make a separate 10-LED board for ambers or make one board which would accept 8 or 10 LEDs.
Spoke
Finally got around to installing the LED foglights on my 914. The following posts detail the installation of these LEDs into an early 914 foglight.

The later foglight lenses have less room inside the lens and require a thick spacer (3-5mm) so the LEDs fit under the glass lens. On the early foglights, this spacing isn't an issue.

Start by removing the bumper. 2 bolts on each side. I loosened the bolts all round then removed them on one side and rested the bumper on a bucket while the bolts were removed on the other side.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Open up the foglight fixture by removing the small screw on the bottom of the fixture which holds the bezel in place.

Click to view attachment

Disconnect the bulb holder from the bezel/lens/reflector assembly. Take the assembly to the workbench. Do both sides.

On the car, the bulb holder is removed from the 12V wire by loosening the flat-head screw holding the 12V wire to the bulb fixture. The bulb and its holder will not be used.

Click to view attachment

Spoke
The bezel/lens/reflector assembly is separated by removing the 4 metal clips behind the bezel. Always wear eye protection when removing/replacing these clips because they have a tendency to fly across the room.

Also remove/replace in a smallish, clean or clutter-free room. Reason for this is when these clips fly, they can go all over the place and are hard to find. Chances are at least one of these spring clips will fly during removal/replacement.

Remove the clips with a flathead screwdriver depressing the longer of the 2 arms of the clip. Notice that the clips are different on the left assembly than the right assembly. Take a picture of the assembly before removing the clips so the orientation of the clips is remembered.

Click to view attachment

Once disassembled, clean the glass lens and refurbish the bezel as you desire. I only washed the bezels on my car. Replace the rubber gasket around the lens with a new one. These are available at 914rubber. Notice the tape on the top part of the LED lenses. This is to attempt to cut off the light bleed upward. It does cut off some light on the upper side but isn't 100%.

Click to view attachment

This is the spacer ring to align the LED board to the glass bezel. It will be attached to the board when the board is assembled.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Here's the board with the alignment ring attached.

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When mating the LED board with the lens, make sure the gasket remains in place.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Here is the board mated to the lens. The alignment tab tat the top of the lens fits into the alignment gap at the top of the board alignment ring.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Now comes the tricky part: getting the spring clips back on to hold the bezel/lens/board assembly together. The lens is self-aligned with the bezel via a ridge on the outside bottom of the lens. There is a recess in the bezel where this ridge will fit.

To assist this step, 4 special clips are provided to hold the board in place. These clip right on and hold the board in place so the spring clips can be installed.

Click to view attachment

Reinstall the spring clips, one on each side of the heat sink. An installation tool will be provide to help install the spring clips. Again use eye protection and do the work in a smallish, clutter-free room in case one of the clips takes off.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Reinstall the spring clips to both lights and we're almost ready for installation. Need to add quick connect spades to the 12V wires and clean the ground spade.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment
Spoke
The driver side 12V wire is kind of a pain since it is 2 wires soldered together with some shrink wrap on it. The 2 wires were also flattened by the attachment of the wires to the bulb holder. I had to use a spade made for 10-12 gauge wire.

Click to view attachment

This spade isn't optimal as it should be shielded but it was all my FLAPS had in the 10-12 gauge range. The ground spade needs to be removed from the fixture and cleaned.

Click to view attachment

The passenger side was easier since it had only one wire with soldered end. I was able to use a shielded male spade on this one. The spades will be included with the LED boards for easy installation.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Time to connect the LEDs and test them. The board is set on a bucket or other item so wires can be attached without stressing any connections. Do not let the board hang by its wires. Also avoid touching any of the electronics on the board.

Before making the connect to the ground spade, a short section of heat shrink tubing is added to insulate the ground spade. Once the ground connection is made, slide the tubing into place and heat it.

Click to view attachment

Test the board before continuing. If any connections are not made, now is the time to adjust things.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Install the bezel assembly making sure the wires are all inside the unit. Make sure the bezel is on straight. Replace the locking clip on the bottom and replace the small screw to hold the locking clip in place. Test the light again.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Repeat the installation on the other side. Support the assembly, slide the heat shrink on the ground wire, attach wires and heat the ground tubing. Test the light.

Click to view attachment

The wire should tuck nicely inside the fixture. Make sure the wire stays inside the fixture during installation.

Click to view attachment

Install the bezel making sure the bezel assembly is straight. Screw in the locking clip and retest.

Click to view attachment
Spoke
Replace the bumper and the installation is finished.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment
advman89
...and after all that.....964 Fog Lamps. You can't do anything but stock bulbs in them.
Spoke
I'm getting ready to order some boards with updated dc/dc converter modules and was wondering if I should get the boards in white or black. One guy trying out my 911 fog lights thought they would look better with a black board.

Anyone have a preference?
Spoke
Here's a crude attempt to photoshop a black PCB on the driver side.
orthobiz
Great work, great thread.
Did I miss an updated picture of the light pattern with the final taping?

Paul
Spoke
This set is for @mepstein . This set and mine will be the only ones with the discrete dc/dc converter running 500ma. All further foglights will use a dc/dc converter module running about 425ma.

Mark, do you want me to paint one of the bezel rings or are you going to send another set already painted/powder coated? I'll only need the bezel ring as the back side of the enclosure is not necessary to install the led boards.

Spoke
QUOTE(orthobiz @ Aug 10 2019, 11:05 AM) *

Great work, great thread.
Did I miss an updated picture of the light pattern with the final taping?

Paul



I haven't done a before and after with the tape. The tape does help with the upper light but does not completely cut it off. With such a small lens close to the LED it's hard to completely cut off the top of the light pattern. I'll get a before/after with Mark's set of lights.
Spoke
I did a lot of experimenting with the light pattern from the LEDs and the results were less than I hoped. Actually none worked. Trying to shade the LEDs from the upward light output only managed to reduce the LED output.

I have a set of LED fogs on my 914 and my 911. They are 2x brighter than the standard bulbs and 1/3 the power. They don't seem to blind anyone as they're not that bright.

At this point I think I'd like to get a few of these in some other cars to get some other opinions. What I'd like to do is sell up to 5 sets at a reduced price ($100/pair). The regular price will be $165/pair.

I've only worked out the clips and fixturing for early fogs so only looking for those with early fogs. The boards will be black.

Let me know if you're interested. I've started building the boards and will have them finished in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping to get @mepstein s fogs to him next week.
mepstein
Very cool stuff. Driving my rural roads during dear season, the more light the better.
Jamie
QUOTE(mepstein @ Apr 14 2019, 08:45 AM) *

QUOTE(Tbrown4x4 @ Apr 14 2019, 09:09 AM) *

I'm totally supporting this. I drive at night 90% of the time, and my fog light reflectors are shot. I got a quote to re-silver at almost $100 each side. A quality LED conversion would give me my fog lights back.

If you want the best led headlights out there - in my opinion- its these trucklight 7” headlights. Very popular with the Jeep guys as well as motorcycle riders. There are cheaper options but a lot of times you get what you pay for. They take 10 minutes to install with no mods and are a total game changer. They make driving at night so much easier. They look a little odd but during the day the lights are down anyway. Even though they are very bright, I never get flashed because they have a very good cut off. The high beam is insane. They use less voltage than ordinary lights so are a little easier on our cars older wires and less battery drain.


At Okteenerfest we had a demo from a tech from VintagecarLED.com install a set of their headlights in the stock 7"housing. It was a slick switch, with less amp draw than my H4's installed years ago. I installed them 2 days ago and they light up the night with a well controlled beam set HI and LO. The model number is VC3500Standard and we were offered a 15% discount total $160.65 for attendees, and I believe the regular price is $179. I watched a YouTube test of 12 different brands of LED headlights, and this was the winner for me. cheer.gif
FlacaProductions
I'm not in the market for these right now but I love this stuff and the work behind it. My $.02 - on this car shown, white boards. The lights just sort of disappear that way.

That said, I have black bumpers and black grills so if I would get them I'd probably go black boards......
drem914
Any progress on a rectangular version for 75-76 and 911s?
Spoke
QUOTE(drem914 @ Oct 27 2019, 12:54 PM) *

Any progress on a rectangular version for 75-76 and 911s?


Do you know if the 75-76 version fixtures open up? I had a 911 version where the glass lens was bonded to the metal reflector. I couldn't get them apart and had to give up.
Spoke
Printed a spacer for the later foglights and they fit nicely using the original clips.

Have all the components soldered on the first of 3 black board sets. I'm offering the first 3 sets for $100/pair but no takers yet. Normal price will be $165/pair. There's lots of expensive components on these boards.

There are 5 911 owners with the 911 version of these foglights now. Once I get past this initial startup, I plan to make these generally available.

This set has been cleaned. Now will glue on the LED lens holders and screw on the heatsinks.

Printed a jig for drilling the holes for the heatsinks. This set is done and ready for assembly.
drem914
QUOTE(Spoke @ Nov 7 2019, 08:37 PM) *

QUOTE(drem914 @ Oct 27 2019, 12:54 PM) *

Any progress on a rectangular version for 75-76 and 911s?


Do you know if the 75-76 version fixtures open up? I had a 911 version where the glass lens was bonded to the metal reflector. I couldn't get them apart and had to give up.

According to the maint. manual they do not, like the 911 version. I will have to look for a replacement LED bulb to the 35w bulb to be replaced in the lens housing. Any recommendations?
bahnzai
Hi Jerry, @Spoke
I will try a set...I have all your other LED offerings and love them smile.gif
I will PM you for the details
Thanks!
Danny

DRPHIL914
Hey I missed your posting back in sept. About having components for the round fog lights, I have been waiting for this since the beginning so if you still have available one of those first sets at $100 I will PayPal you now!

Phil

@Spoke
mepstein
I’ll buy one of the intro sets if still available. Thanks
Spoke
QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 8 2019, 09:15 AM) *

I’ll buy one of the intro sets if still available. Thanks


@mepstein

Is this in addition to the white set? I painted the early rings and should be ready to ship all the parts back to you. The boards will be mounted in the early rings. I didn't do anything with bodies. Please PM your contact info.
mepstein
QUOTE(Spoke @ Nov 8 2019, 09:54 AM) *

QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 8 2019, 09:15 AM) *

I’ll buy one of the intro sets if still available. Thanks


@mepstein

Is this in addition to the white set? I painted the early rings and should be ready to ship all the parts back to you. The boards will be mounted in the early rings. I didn't do anything with bodies. Please PM your contact info.

Yes. beerchug.gif
ClayPerrine
IPB Image


Spokeworks brings good things to light!

Tdskip
Very cool thread, love to see fabrication like his.
914-300Hemi
Spoke,
I would like to to try a set. If they are still available
Retroracer
QUOTE(Spoke @ Apr 15 2019, 06:53 PM) *

QUOTE(Mike Bellis @ Apr 15 2019, 09:22 PM) *

Why not mount the power supply remote in an IP65/67 enclosure mounted behind the 914 grille? It would free up some space and maybe reduce temps inside the light assembly.


This is what I did for the 356 running lights although the boost converter PCB was mounted inside the housing. I proposed a separate box to put the converter in but the owner didn't want an external box so I mounted on the back of the heatsink.

I'd like to keep it to one PCB for simplicity although a separate module may be needed depending on temperature rise.


Spoke - First off, well done on tackling this design! Not noticed this thread until today.

Great that you went for a "single box" solution; the fog lights are typically subject to some airflow and not near any heat sources - which is good. Kind of wondering if there's any way to extend the LED heatsinking out to the rear metal enclosure? Again, this is usually not exposed to a casual finger burn and the mount lug to chassis would be a great "thermal sink".

Obviously some serious three dimensional issues to solve there, getting the right stack up and profile to contact well to the outer shell. And the added expense over an "off the shelf" heat sink. But 10ish watts dissipated inside a small enclosure with only convection cooling to the casing might mean the electronics be running hot....?

Again, love seeing this kind of project being tackled, with modern electronics being integrated tastefully into existing components!

- Tony
Spoke
@mepstein
@DRPHIL914
@bahnzai

Guys, I have you down for the three V2 boards I'm assembling right now. I'll get with you about payment and shipping and all. These boards are black in color.

Unfortunately, I fucked up the design of the boards by making them too small. The amazing thing is I had these V2 boards designed about 100mil larger and I out-thought myself and at the last minute made them the same size as the V1 boards.

Mark and I are the only ones with the V1 boards with discrete dc-dc converter. His boards are shown below. In the first picture the black surrounding the board is the plastic part I printed to hold the board in sync with the glass lens and gasket.

The problem comes in when looking at the 2nd picture with the board mounted in the light bezel. The clips barely touch the board. This is not good or sustainable. The board needs to be about 150mil larger.

Spoke
@mepstein
@DRPHIL914
@bahnzai

One other thing with these V2 boards, you'll have to send the glass lens and bezel to me so I can fit these boards myself. I had so much of bitch of time getting Mark's boards to fit that I cannot have you go through this. This will also help me understand how to ease the mounting of these boards in the lens/bezel.

What I will do is replace the gaskets with new 914rubber gaskets and mount the boards. It will ease your installation greatly. If you want as well I can paint (gloss black) the bezel for you if you want.
mepstein
Jerry - Does it matter if the lights are early or late?

And I'm in no rush for the second set so if you have someone next in line, feel free to move me down the list. I'll get them but the second set will be on my shelf for a while.
Spoke
@Tbrown4x4

I am in the process of redesigning the boards (V3) to be 150mil larger. The plan is to offer 5 members a set of foglights again for $100/set. These will be a couple of weeks out as I haven't finished the design yet. The boards will be black color.

Todd I have you down for one of the board sets. You mentioned about using the fogs for 100 mile commutes with 914rubber yellow lens. These should work well with them. Here's a 911 with my foglights with yellow lens.



Spoke
QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 11 2019, 10:16 PM) *

Jerry - Does it matter if the lights are early or late?

And I'm in no rush for the second set so if you have someone next in line, feel free to move me down the list. I'll get them but the second set will be on my shelf for a while.


Not a problem with later years. The lens is flatter than early years thus a larger spacer is needed however the later bezel is flatter thus allowing the spacer to take up space with the original clips to be used.

And no, you are getting a second set. I still haven't gotten a ride in your 914/6... Shit's piling up on your side. Karma's a bitch. beerchug.gif

I have 3 late fogs from you although 2 of the glass lenses are pretty beat up. One is fully cracked in half. One is in good shape. If you want to send a better set, that's your decision.
Spoke
QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 11 2019, 10:16 PM) *

And I'm in no rush for the second set so if you have someone next in line, feel free to move me down the list. I'll get them but the second set will be on my shelf for a while.


If you want, @Tbrown4x4 is looking for a set, I target the set to him.
mepstein
I figured you could use those old ones for testing. I don’t need them back. I do have a better set and we’ll work out the details later. Thanks.
Tbrown4x4
Those look great. Should make the drive a little safer. Should I PayPal you the $ now or?
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