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New product idea: Dual-function fog lights (Feedback Requested)
The idea derived from our world-famous White DRL harness. While this is nice, the DRL could be brighter.
Most people use the fog lights driving lights to supplement the headlights, but with the HID powered projector headlights, the fog lights actually hamper long-distance night visibility and are best used for poor-weather driving (fog, night rain/fog) At the same time, the fog lights would provide better poor-weather visibility with a distinct yellow color.
The plan calls for a modified version of our white DRL harness and a high-output bi-color LED bulb for the fog light housing. Here's how it would function:
DRL: Turn signal bulb off, fog light on bright white LED.
Turn signal: Turn signal bulb flashes bright amber, Fog light shuts off on signaling side, resumes when signal turns off.
Parking/Headlights: Turn signal bulb comes on as parking light
Fog lights: Bulb turns on Yellow. Unaffected by turn signal function.
All Functions are completely Automatic (except turning on fogs requires turning on the switch)
OEM on passenger side, White function on driver's side
OEM vs. Yellow Fog function
Yellow fog by itself.
Package would include the following:
(2) 3157 Cree Amber LED bulbs for turn signal location
(2) Modified White DRL harnesses
(2) Bi-Color LED Bulb for fog light
Pretty cool idea.
Personally, I would like this combo;
1: Keep fog light function as is but with yellow bulbs/film,
2: Make the amber lights white while in DRL mode,
3: White DRL lights to amber when using the turn signal, and back to white when done,
4: Lights go amber when in parking lights mode,
5: Lights are off during headlight operation,
Don't know what cost would be but probably similar?
Do you think this could run into legality issues and/or inspection failures in some states?
I'm thinking that maybe due to the fact that it would place the DRL so low, or the fact that it was just no longer in the OEM location.
Personally, I want my DRLs to be as visible as possible.
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DRLs are optional equipment so there is no inspection issue. The factory DRL as a turn signal is pretty shabby in performance. The Fog light on the other hand is designed to project light and with a higher power bulb wold be substantially brighter and more noticeable than the factory DRL.
The bulbs shown are for proof of concept, I'm awaiting arrival of a brighter version where I will do DRL comparison photos and night comparison photos of the fog function.
I'd like the DRL to remain on along with the white fog light. Other than that this sounds great.
That is possible using our Gen 6 switchback bulb and a slightly modified harness. The turn signal bulb white function would mirror the Fog white function.
DRLs are optional equipment so there is no inspection issue. The factory DRL as a turn signal is pretty shabby in performance. The Fog light on the other hand is designed to project light and with a higher power bulb wold be substantially brighter and more noticeable than the factory DRL.
Good point. Every car I've owned or driven for the last decade has had them; I forgot that they were not actually mandatory.
You're also right about the OEM Corvette DRLs. They were full of suckage. I bought your very nice kit to upgrade those nearly immediately after buying the car and it's a night and day improvement (Bad pun intended ).
Update. Got in the prototype of the full-function bulbs installed with the custom harnesses. Function works just as intended, fully plug and play with factory connectors.
Function video:
DRL - daytime
Fog - Daytime
Fog light up close daytime
Fog and headlight - night
Fog only - night
Fog only - night head-on
Driver's POV - Fog Only
Driver's POV - Fog and Headlight
Driver's POV - Headlight Only.
The C6 fog housing produces a decent low-flat pattern. It doesn't have the width of projectors, but with excellent fore-ground illumination, the fog function with yellow LED is highly effective and cool-looking.
For DRL function, there's just enough glare from the fog light to make the Fog housing effective as DRLs with white function. It's FAR more effective thatn the factory DRL particularly since it doesn't have to compete with reflected sunlight from the headlight lens.
At this point, I will be taking down CF member names who are interested in this product. If I can get over 25 names, I will begin production and pre-sale.
Update. Got in the prototype of the full-function bulbs installed with the custom harnesses. Function works just as intended, fully plug and play with factory connectors.
Function video:
DRL - daytime
Fog - Daytime
Fog light up close daytime
Fog and headlight - night
Fog only - night
Fog only - night head-on
Driver's POV - Fog Only
Driver's POV - Fog and Headlight
Driver's POV - Headlight Only.
The C6 fog housing produces a decent low-flat pattern. It doesn't have the width of projectors, but with excellent fore-ground illumination, the fog function with yellow LED is highly effective and cool-looking.
For DRL function, there's just enough glare from the fog light to make the Fog housing effective as DRLs with white function. It's FAR more effective thatn the factory DRL particularly since it doesn't have to compete with reflected sunlight from the headlight lens.
At this point, I will be taking down CF member names who are interested in this product. If I can get over 25 names, I will begin production and pre-sale.
I actually really like that. Unfortunately, my fog lights are turning into brake cooling ducts and there is not a whole lot of fog in AZ. Good luck with the product.
Glad to be #1 in on this mod!
Question: is/would a more yellow bulb be available with the DRL switchback? Really like the bright white for DRL, but wouldn't a "softer"/more yellow fog lamp cut reflection and increase visibility through fog?
As is, looks like major visibility + to me and I'd purchase.
Glad to be #1 in on this mod!
Question: is/would a more yellow bulb be available with the DRL switchback? Really like the bright white for DRL, but wouldn't a "softer"/more yellow fog lamp cut reflection and increase visibility through fog?
As is, looks like major visibility + to me and I'd purchase.
I'm not sure I understand your question. The DRL function is a bright white and fog light function is a golden-yellow.
I'm not sure I understand your question. The DRL function is a bright white and fog light function is a golden-yellow.
Let me try to clarify. The bright white for DRL is great! But looking at the photos, especially the ones taken at night, the brightness/"white" of the light source seems to overpower the yellow tint, in fact creating white areas in the yellow fog pics. Strictly looking at the photos I would call the fogs a bright yellow, not a golden yellow. May have more to do with exposure of night pics and tint on my laptop screen than anything else.
Still like the concept, and hopefully could play around with different switchback bulbs to get the best fog penetrating yellow AND brightest white for DRL.
Please advise when these are available for order. Thanks!
Let me try to clarify. The bright white for DRL is great! But looking at the photos, especially the ones taken at night, the brightness/"white" of the light source seems to overpower the yellow tint, in fact creating white areas in the yellow fog pics. Strictly looking at the photos I would call the fogs a bright yellow, not a golden yellow. May have more to do with exposure of night pics and tint on my laptop screen than anything else.
Still like the concept, and hopefully could play around with different switchback bulbs to get the best fog penetrating yellow AND brightest white for DRL.
Please advise when these are available for order. Thanks!
It's probably the latter. The fog function is far more yellow than I was able to get the camera to pick up. I'm still learning this whole DSLR photo settings thing.
01-29-2018, 11:27 PM
New product idea: Dual-function fog lights (Feedback Requested)
What is the major benefit of having this over OEM? Guys that like it probably NEVER drive in fog!
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