Installing LED Automotive Lights

Drilling for 12 Volt LED Automotive Lights

Lunar Accent's installation instructions are sub divided into three separate divisions. Each one contains a variety of closely related installation tasks, which the installer should complete in order to ensure proper installation of LED automotive lights. With a few common tools, the installer can successfully complete installation in as little as ten minutes. The first step is drilling. The installer should perform his or her work within a dry and highly illuminated area. Moisture or water may become an issue if it were to enter the headlight housing. The instructions suggest to consider removing the headlight housings completely. This is not necessary in most cases, with only a few rare exceptions. When choosing a drilling location, it is important to keep in mind that the drilling location should allow the LED automotive lights to rest at a distant location, in proximity to headlight bulbs. Heat will cause an increase in current flow through the LED lights, which can damage it. In addition, excess heat can cause damage to the die-bond epoxy within the LED lamps. As long as the LED automotive lights are not directly above the bulbs, the location should be suitable. The best drilling location is normally somewhere directly though the top of the headlight's housing. A few oddly shaped headlights may present better drilling locations though the sides, and sometimes undersides.

While drilling, it is important to penetrate strait down and back out. Swaying the drill to either side could widen the hole and allow moisture to enter the headlight housing later on. Many newer headlight styles containing transparent lenses tend to display dust. Overtime, a portion of the dust may dissipate down into the lower portions of the headlights and out of site. Remember not to blow into the headlight housing in an attempt to remove excess dust. Using a vacuum hose with a small flexible tube attached to the end works well. Vinyl fish tank air pump hoses work excellent for this purpose.

Inserting the First Automotive LED Lights for Cars

Before inserting the first LED automotive lights, locate the vehicles fuse box. Usually it lies towards the left or right hand side, beneath the hood. Insert the LED with red power wire into the headlight in closest proximity to the fuse box. The light emitting diode with the ground connector corresponds with the headlight furthest away from the fuse box. Do not complete this step until after power wire is completely connected. After inserting one LED and grommet, gently pull up on the wires until the LED rests just near the hole from which it entered. While looking into the headlight, the wires should not be visible. Gently insert the push plug while using caution not force the entire grommet into the headlight housing. If this occurs, a properly bent paper clip works well for removal by hooking the grommet though its center hole and pulling it back though. RTV sealant can provide an alternative to the plugs.

Power and Ground Connections

Wiring installation consists mainly of two tasks. Start by connecting ground. This will allow the installer to locate an adequate source of power, later on. One example of a good ground location includes a small to medium sized bolt, free of both rust and paint. After loosening the bolt and placing the metal ground spade beneath it, tighten the bolt down snug, but not too tight! Too much toque will rip the ground connector in two. Never attempt to operate a set of blue headlights without the ground connector. The LED lamps will draw excessive current without the resistor found within the ground connector. Excessive current draw will not only damage both 12 volt LED automotive lights, but will void all warranties.

Power Wire Connections

Locating a power source is much easier than most people may think. After stripping approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of the red power wire, begin probing the fuse box until the LED automotive lights turn on. From your position near the fuse box, you may only be able to see the LED not yet inserted into the headlight housing. This is why we suggest inserting only one light emitting diode before connecting power. To probe the fuse box for in an attempt to locate a power source, touch one of the two small metal tabs located on the top portion of each fuse. After locating an adequate fuse, remove it. Insert the stripped portion of the power wire down into one of the two slots, once occupied by a fuse leg prior to removal. Inserting the power wire into one slot should cause the LEDs to light, while the other slot should not. It is very important to test both, and be sure to leave the power wire in the slot that does not result in illumination of the LED. After you have accomplished this step, reinsert the fuse while using caution to ensure the power wire does not move. After the fuse has been replaced into its original location, electricity will flow though it and into the power wire causing the LEDs to light. It is highly recommended to select a non-critical fuse. A non-critical fuse refers to one not associated with any critical automotive systems. For example, do not utilize the power steering fuse! Refer to your owner's manual or the lid of your fuse box for a fuse diagram.

Final LED Assembly

Finally, insert the second LED into the headlight housing along with the push plug, and installation is complete. This extremely detailed description may seem to reflect a somewhat complex procedure. I assure you that the procedure is much easier done than said. The process can be accomplished by almost anyone who is willing to take a few minutes to read entirely though the installation instructions included with the Blue Headlights.