Upgrading to Clear Side Markers
#1
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Upgrading to Clear Side Markers
I just received a very nice set of front and rear side markers from Thommy in Germany. Thanks, Nicole for the introduction! Thommy goes by 928@AMG here on Rennlist.
The stock lenses are amber front and red rear.
When I install these new lenses I'm thinking I need to convert to coloured bulbs, amber and red.
Are these readily available out there? Anything in a voltage-corrected coloured LED?
The stock lenses are amber front and red rear.
When I install these new lenses I'm thinking I need to convert to coloured bulbs, amber and red.
Are these readily available out there? Anything in a voltage-corrected coloured LED?
#2
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Commonly available online in the correct form factor from several places. One is www.superbrightleds.com
Yes, you would need amber bulbs for front and red for rear.
Cheers!
Carl
Yes, you would need amber bulbs for front and red for rear.
Cheers!
Carl
#3
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Randy, if you cannot find the colored standard bulbs, go to a hobby shop and get a bottle of Testors Stoplight Red and Amber, carefully dip 1/2 of the bulbs in the paint and let them hang to dry well before installing. If you go to LEDs then you MAY have to add resistors to the wiring so that your dash doesnt tell you you've got burned out bulbs. Of course, I'm sure if you used the SEARCH function here on RL you will find more information about this. Rookie
Last edited by Ninespub; 11-27-2016 at 11:13 AM.
#4
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Glad you like the assemblies you got.
You can get the amber and red colored LEDs from superbrightleds. But at least some 928s will trigger the bulb warning when the LEDs are installed in the rear markers. Don't remember which years are affected or not. To avoid this issue, you need to add resistors.
The bulbs I used to include in my kits are these - they were nice and clear when off, and were small enough to fit into the assemblies:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...rofit-car/169/
When you install the markers, never put any force on the housings. If the bulb holder doesn't click-in easily, don't force it. Check where it binds and file off some of the material. You don't want to break the latch!
Also, don't install them without any cushioning between the lens and the fender or quarter panel. Best are foam or soft rubber seals.
Make sure you don't tighten the nuts on the brackets more then absolutely necessary, or you increase the risk that your lenses and housings separate over time. - The lenses and housings are made of very high quality resin which cannot be fused like thermoplastics. Therefore they don't have as strong of a bond as the factory markers and housings.
You can get the amber and red colored LEDs from superbrightleds. But at least some 928s will trigger the bulb warning when the LEDs are installed in the rear markers. Don't remember which years are affected or not. To avoid this issue, you need to add resistors.
The bulbs I used to include in my kits are these - they were nice and clear when off, and were small enough to fit into the assemblies:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...rofit-car/169/
When you install the markers, never put any force on the housings. If the bulb holder doesn't click-in easily, don't force it. Check where it binds and file off some of the material. You don't want to break the latch!
Also, don't install them without any cushioning between the lens and the fender or quarter panel. Best are foam or soft rubber seals.
Make sure you don't tighten the nuts on the brackets more then absolutely necessary, or you increase the risk that your lenses and housings separate over time. - The lenses and housings are made of very high quality resin which cannot be fused like thermoplastics. Therefore they don't have as strong of a bond as the factory markers and housings.
#6
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OK, thanks all.
I ordered the LED bulbs - will test first to see if I also need the resistor kits also sold be Superbrite.
While I'm ordering LEDs I might as well swap the interior festoon bulbs to LED type.
Can anyone point me to the correct LED type?
Thanks.
I ordered the LED bulbs - will test first to see if I also need the resistor kits also sold be Superbrite.
While I'm ordering LEDs I might as well swap the interior festoon bulbs to LED type.
Can anyone point me to the correct LED type?
Thanks.
#7
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Hi Randy - I think you'll find about everything you need (interior and exterior) to convert all your lights in these two links:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ich-one-3.html (jump to Ed's post #40)
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-looooong.html
I think the only thing that was different on my 93 was the under the hood light. I can't remember what bulb it was, but I know it was the same as the courtesy light under the glove box.
I think you'll like the clear lenses. Like you, mine is also midnight blue and I've switched the rears back and forth from clear to stock a couple times. The clear goes well in the front because they blend in with the clear fog/driving lights/turn signal. But in the back, the clear lenses really don't "match" anything. I finally settled on clear all around - well, at least 'til the next time I flush the PSD...
fwiw, I'd keep the originals in case a future owner wants to switch it back to stock. My $.02.
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ich-one-3.html (jump to Ed's post #40)
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-looooong.html
I think the only thing that was different on my 93 was the under the hood light. I can't remember what bulb it was, but I know it was the same as the courtesy light under the glove box.
I think you'll like the clear lenses. Like you, mine is also midnight blue and I've switched the rears back and forth from clear to stock a couple times. The clear goes well in the front because they blend in with the clear fog/driving lights/turn signal. But in the back, the clear lenses really don't "match" anything. I finally settled on clear all around - well, at least 'til the next time I flush the PSD...
fwiw, I'd keep the originals in case a future owner wants to switch it back to stock. My $.02.
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Anyone know first hand if switching to LEDs in the side markers throws a warning? I hadn't ordered the resistor kits for those bulbs although SuperBrite does offer them.
#11
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I don't recall the warning coming on 'til I converted the brake/tail lights.
As an aside, if you don't want to use resistors, you can unplug the 7 & 10 pins on the bulb control module. See Ed's post here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post3951223
I've converted all lights inside and out to LED (except headlights.) I'm never going back
And if you're reading this Ed, 3 years later and your LED dimmer is still rock solid. Thank you for making those!
As an aside, if you don't want to use resistors, you can unplug the 7 & 10 pins on the bulb control module. See Ed's post here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post3951223
I've converted all lights inside and out to LED (except headlights.) I'm never going back
And if you're reading this Ed, 3 years later and your LED dimmer is still rock solid. Thank you for making those!
#12
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Alan
#13
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BTW Randy the stock 928 GTS underhood light is crap - I did some better LED retrofit here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...l#post12355989
Note the original link for these is broken but you can find them here now:
https://www.pilotlights.net/led-conv...24vdc-versions
Alan
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...l#post12355989
Note the original link for these is broken but you can find them here now:
https://www.pilotlights.net/led-conv...24vdc-versions
Alan
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OK, just to clarify - front side markers are not monitored so do not require resistors.
Rear side markers are monitored so need resistors for each?
Rear side markers are monitored so need resistors for each?
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Fronts definitely are not monitored. The rest I defer to Alan.
I always included the resistors with the rear LED kits, but I remember some owners not installing them and not triggering the bulb warning. I don't recall what model years they had, or any other details, so feel free to try without the resistors. But don't be upset, if you need the resistors in the end...
I always included the resistors with the rear LED kits, but I remember some owners not installing them and not triggering the bulb warning. I don't recall what model years they had, or any other details, so feel free to try without the resistors. But don't be upset, if you need the resistors in the end...