LED as DRL/Highbeam possible?? 08-09

[geobur]

I have seen a few posts about how installing an HID in your DRL/highbeams is far more work than is worth it.

But has anyone explored using LEDs? I can't seem to find any threads about this.

Are they bright enough to use as Highbeams?
Can they dim enough to be used as DRL's?

If it has been explored what is involved? What type of bulbs do I need? Relays? Special housings?

I would really like to put something in that is brighter than the OEM bulbs as well as being a clearer crisper colour to match my 6000k lowbeams.

[Aitch]

IIRC, putting LEDs in there won't work. Your DRLs run on a low voltage which might not be enough for the LEDs to run. The may only light up properly when you put your high beams on. However they LEDs also won't put out as much light as a nice halogen.

As I always say, just get a nice halogen bulb for your high beams. Anything else is sub-par for performance. You can get ones which are color-matched for your HIDs.

[geobur]

IIRC, putting LEDs in there won't work. Your DRLs run on a low voltage which might not be enough for the LEDs to run. The may only light up properly when you put your high beams on. However they LEDs also won't put out as much light as a nice halogen.

As I always say, just get a nice halogen bulb for your high beams. Anything else is sub-par for performance. You can get ones which are color-matched for your HIDs.

so what is the difference between a halogen and what comes OEM with the car?

[XTOTHEL]

I think you can find the right LED to match, do the gen 1 3's use the same bulb for high and drl?

[Aitch]

so what is the difference between a halogen and what comes OEM with the car?
It comes with halogen bulbs, but you can get ones that look closer to 6k.

[Ogata]

It comes with halogen bulbs, but you can get ones that look closer to 6k.

I tried...got the Phillips one while its not as piss yellow it is not close to even 5K...wish I waited now that every car seems to have LED DRLs standard :(

[Aitch]

Gotta install your own like me... [emoji6] (LEDs above fog lights)

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/13/9ac4b2144409075c6d8cc1ed252ca261.jpg

[geobur]

Hmm I bought a set of Eurolites last night from nextmod and I am not happy with them at all they are less bright than my current highbeams. The color was whiter but for the most part I want brightness because when I drive out of the city it's usually at night and no street lights.

I took them out after testing them and put them back in box does nextmod accept returns?

[XTOTHEL]

I would think you want something like this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/60W-6000LM-Kit-CREE-LED-HeadLight-Bulbs-H3-H7-H8-H9-H11-9005-9006-9145-9012-/121340946884

[geobur]

I see it does high and low but it wouldn't do drl would it which is even lower. Either way I don't really use drl I turn on my headlights out of habit now. But I'd kinda like to save my hids for night. I'm sure they have a limited lifespan of hours

[XTOTHEL]

The LED bulbs are usually rated for 20-30k hours, so that's about 2 - 3.5 YEARS of continuous operation. If it is only on for 12 hours a day, double that (4-7 years), 6 hours, double that again (8-14 years).

Also note that these are single or dual LEDs per bulb, not a bunch of small SMDs like some of the old/cheaper alternatives.

Someone here did a mini review of similar bulbs on a 2014 3: http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-mazda-3-skyactiv-appearance-interior/65034-all-one-cree-led-high-low-fog-lights-installed.html

[Noisy Crow]

Keep in mind that the high-beams work as DRLs by running the bulbs in series.... no idea if the LED bulbs would work with only 6V per bulb.