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BMW OEM Plate Light LED's

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Old 12-13-2007, 11:40 PM
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Sup guys, I installed BMW OEM Plate Light LED's.

I'm using 14 AWG wire to act as an intermediary resistor, but I'm still getting a bulb-out warning in I-Drive. The 14 AWG wire isn't providing enough resistance (although this solution has been working for another BMW owner on their E90). Do you guys think a larger gauge wire would work?

I'm trying to stay away from using a resistor in fear of it getting too hot and melting the wires.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BMW OEM Plate Light LED's:
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7687.jpg

Comparison
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7697.jpg

Both Installed:
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7700.jpg
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7701.jpg
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7703.jpg
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7702.jpg

Quick disconnect adapter I made with 14 AWG wire to act as a resistor:
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7677.jpg
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_7699.jpg
Old 12-14-2007, 12:08 AM
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i dont remember but since the last time i saw you, trunk finisher new? looks good
Old 12-14-2007, 04:22 AM
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Hey Ryan,

too bad there's no mini-plug resistors like the ones they have for HID fogs. I would get those in a heart beat if they had for turn signal's / license plate lights. Dont they have them for honda or anything?

Well let me know, once its done, I can rig up mine too.
Old 12-14-2007, 06:14 AM
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I would be mindful not to run the LED's without a proper resistor, the nature of LED's
being the warmer they get the less resistance they have could cause them to turn into
SED's or a "smoke emitting diode" This leads to them being a FRIODE!

The larger gauge wire does nothing but increase the current carrying ability of the circuit.
You might try and look at installing a resistor up stream of both lights. This would effectively
apply the same voltage to both lights (parallel) and not worry about current loss across one or the other.
Hope it works out the lights look nice!

A "FRIODE"
[attachment=54005:friodeb200.jpg]
Old 12-14-2007, 06:41 AM
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Something along this line would let you experiment at what value the fault message will not
be on.

From Radio Shack:

25-Ohm 3-Watt Rheostat

Model: 271-265 | Catalog #: 271-265

25-ohm ?20% tolerance wirewound 3-watt variable resistor.

Hope this helps.
Old 12-14-2007, 07:50 AM
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I don't think I have to worry about the LED being a FRIODE as the housing has a built in resistor. But there's a need for resistance due to less power draw from the LED's compared to the stock halogen lamps causing a "bulb-out error" in I-Drive.

How would I use the rheostat to figure out what the tolerance is?

Mike, I'm gonna try the 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistors from Radio Shack. Chris said they worked for him too, but he didn't like that solution because...
Originally Posted by 777ER
The harness is done...testing it on the 33ohms 1/2 watts resistor, it burned up the resistor.

Tried the 50 ohms 10 watts resistor, it gets hot, almost hot enough to the touch when it's 45* outside. I don't like the heat it makes and don't think it'll be best.
Old 12-14-2007, 08:44 AM
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let me know when you get everything to work ryan. looks great!!!
Old 12-14-2007, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='506763' date='Dec 14 2007, 11:50 AM
I don't think I have to worry about the LED being a FRIODE as the housing has a built in resistor. But there's a need for resistance due to less power draw from the LED's compared to the stock halogen lamps causing a "bulb-out error" in I-Drive.

How would I use the rheostat to figure out what the tolerance is?

Mike, I'm gonna try the 50 ohm 10W 5% Wirewound Resistors from Radio Shack. Chris said they worked for him too, but he didn't like that solution because...

I have that resistor already. Probably is, where to place it on this housing. Also, it does get hot, very hot. So that's why I would want a better solution.


Thanks for the follow up dude.
Old 12-14-2007, 11:05 AM
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Ryan,
That part number has one or two lights included?
Please go to http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T073/1681-1684.pdf and order 2 of TMC25-10-ND (25W-rated 10-ohm resistor with heat sink) Screw that resistor to the metal inside the trunk lid.

Regards,
Fred
Old 12-14-2007, 11:15 AM
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Fred, that part number is for one light. I wish you would have chimed in before I bought these:

BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_8229.jpg
BMW OEM Plate Light LED's-img_8231.jpg

I'm still getting an error in I-Drive. I'll try 25W 10-ohm resistors next. Are you sure those will work? I don't want to keep running back and forth to Fry's.


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