Led licence plates

[Burning2nd]

Led plate lights....

working great! got some really nice Leds.. and new lens very happy... but you know where im going with this..

since i have a e30 that still has a well working electial sytem... i figure i want to get that light above my head out..

so i did some thing and reserch... and came to the conclution that.

the onboad indicator thing above your head... (that you have to press the brakes lights b4 the VDo goes off)

that thing comes on and says my plate lights are are... (which they are not)

is it cause im useing less draw not then the stock 2 bulbs...

the lEd kit has a bulb looking electial resistor thingy that plugs in to the led peice....

If i install an inline resitor... to restrict more flow or juice, would that help or worrsin?

2nd question is what is the resistence, that the little computer requires no not come on?

[Burning2nd]

http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm

??? is this what i need a led resistior 15-25 ohms?

[jlevie]

To keep the Check Panel from complaining about your LED lights you need to parallel the LED's with a resistor small enough (and of sufficient wattage) so as to duplicate the current flow of the normal bulb. You'd need to measure the current drawn by the OE bulbs and that drawn by the LED's to compute the resistor size and rating.

[Burning2nd]

nice... Im off to have fun.....

thank you,

[sticksdaman]

or you could just take the bulb out

problem solved

[Kerrath]

I guess you've never gone to school? Resistors resist. Same amount of current/voltage + resistance = dimmer lights. It won't help you without making your LEDs useless.

[chick]

You could put the resistors in parallel, to match the draw on the circuit, then the LED (not incandescant) will still work, and the warning light will go out. But you still need to calculate the original draw vs. teh new draw to get the resistor value and rating correct. Easier to just remove the warning bulb. Just my .02.

[Burning2nd]

ya chick... thats what im planing on doing... i just have to get my fluke out and get the ohm's but i have to figure out that the Oem bulb draws first.... then i have to fine the right resistor..

can i remove the little bulb above? that unit comes apart? (guess so, so you can change the bulbs)

but even if i do that (remove) the VDO will still need to be pressed every time i turn the lights on.

[accident]

what the fuck are you talking about VDO?

EDIT: I get it, you have a VDO cluster so it says VDO right above the check light. You fail.

[DaveSmed]

Quit screwing around with resistors and bypass the check control relay thats by the drivers side trunk hinge.