Personal Exprence Fitting CCFL's

[Estoril Sport]

If you have Xenon lights you will need to drain off the reservoir e.g. siphon it in to a bucket. Make sure your keys are not in the ignition and the lights are switched off. Once done you can start removing the headlight fittings as per Teddy's instructions. If you contact Teddy I am sure he will e-mail them to you (if you bought the CCFL's from him in the first place).


Once you have removed the front glass apply the double sided tape along the top of the CCFL clear plastic bridge (cut the double sided tape to the same width or just a bit wider than the CCFL bridge and don't remove the top double sided protecting cover yet) so you can position them as a dry run so you know where they will sit. It is also advisable to try the clips holding the CCFL, these clips only have a limited reach.


Its a good tip to install one CCFL at time and test each one before doing the next one.

If possible make sure that the wires from the CCFL are coming out forwards and not pointing in to the head light reflector. (this is not a big issue but there is not much room in the head light reflector if the wires have to do a u-turn). When you are happy with the positioning take off the backing strip from the double sided tape and carefully position them in the right place and apply at least one clip per CCFL. If you do not have Xenon's on the outer headlights you should be able to use two of the clips but on the inner headlight unit you will only able to fix the CCFL with one clip).


Its a good time to start working at the other end, and that is make the power connection as per Teddy's instructions.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carlton.langton/images/installation1.jpg

As you can see I had to make the wires do a u-turn as I had previously done the tape trick on the wrong side.


If you have Xenon's then stick the double sided tape on the underneath of the CCFL top bridge (cut the double sided tape to the same width or just a bit wider than the CCFL bridge). then stick on the Xenon silver housing. With CCFL for the Xenon's you actually want the CCFL wires pointing backwards i.e towards the car like in the picture below.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carlton.langton/images/installation2.jpg

When you have attached the CCFL's then you need to route the wires so you do not see them. I got a plastic tie and with sticky tape (selotape) and fixed the CCFL connector to one of the ends. I should think a pencil would do. The reason for this is an aid so that you can feed the CCFL connector and wires via the rubber seal at the back of the main beam head light behind the main beam head lens reflector. You will need to ease the rubber seal just enough to get the CCFL connector through. Once done take the connector off the plastic tie /pencil, don't make the CCFL wires too tight but relaxed to allow the Xenon's self levelling to do its stuff when these are on. I routed both pairs on each side through the same aperture.


Its a good time to test out the CCFL's before you finish off tidying away the wires !!!

If Ok then you can start finishing off by routing the wires.

I used black insulation tape to seal up the hole where the original sidelight went. I then re-seated the rubber seal at the back of the head light and used insulation tape to seal any gaps where the wires were coming out of the rubber seal.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carlton.langton/images/installation3.jpg

I again used the insulation tape to secure the original sidelight in position so they do not move and are not touching anything as these bulbs can get hot when on.


Drivers side

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carlton.langton/images/installation4.jpg


Passenger side


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carlton.langton/images/installation5.jpg

I used double sited tape to fix the power unit up underneath the metal cross bar so it cannot be seen, and now is the time to admire you handy work. :D :cool:

Teddy recommeds that you turn on the engine before turning on the CCF's as they need a good flow of currnet. I found if I just switch the lights on without starting the engine. one of the CCFL's are a bit dimmer than the others. Also if you have then on first then start the car they will flicker which may reduce the life span of them.

As for the tape trick check out http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/topic2.asp?TOPIC_ID=23488

Finished pic at http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=1340#post1340

[330ciSport]

Very useful and informative. You don't by any chance have a guide for picking up tidy birds do you? :cool:

[Estoril Sport]

Very useful and informative. You don't by any chance have a guide for picking up tidy birds do you? :cool:
I can say that a few do give the car a second take. or is it me :D

[Shuriken]

..its the car


:p

Shuriken.

[Estoril Sport]

..its the car


:p

Shuriken.

At lease I can dream its me :o lol

[BigFas]

nice write up.

Digs, can we get a DIY section on here? This kind of info is perfect for the forum as well as any other mods the guys undertake.

[mysticm3]

excellent write up mate, yes Digs get a DIY or a 'How To' section here so when people can share valuable information without being ripped off by blood sucking dealers/garages :p

[mysticm3]

btw is it possible to get mor smileys? I am getting bored with the ones we have...get some animated gifs as well :D

[Shuriken]

At lease I can dream its me :o lol

Trust me, with a car that nice, it could easily be both :)

As for smileys, don't you just put more smileys in the folder and it recognises em? Or do you have to register them somewhere in the admin, don't know..

Shuriken.

[Afif]

Im going to give this a try tonight i think as soon as i get the CCFL's off Teddy. Anyone local can come down and help me since ive never done anything like this before :P Wait come to think about it should i wait till morning when i can see something or maybe go fit them in a car park or summin.

[MistaSmiff]

Wicked write up but could with more images and basic details for glass removal ..etc .. for complete berks like me. ;)

[Estoril Sport]

I assure you that this mod it is quite easy, I did this on mod on my BMW which was less that a month old. I will look as if I can find some more pics for you but I can't promise as I might not have any more.[bang

[MistaSmiff]

..oh and why was this done..a pic of this would be nice

"Once you have removed the front glass apply the double sided tape along the top of the CCFL clear plastic bridge "

[Chaos]

It's to stick the top of the CCFL (the flat bit) to the headlight unit. Basically you use double-sided scotch tape to stick it to the internal frame of the headlight.

[MistaSmiff]

ok ..understood... thanks.

so do you get everything in the kit or do you need to buy this extra metal tape and double sided tape? ..and what other EXTRA bits do you need.

I'm going to Halfords today so I may aswell just get everything.

[Shuriken]

I needed bullet connectors, metal repair tape (optional for the tape mod) and silicone adhesive. However, I was fitting them to me E36, which makes it a bit different.

Most people just use the double-sided tape for E46 fitting as far as I'm aware.

Shuriken.

[Chaos]

If you're buying them from Teddy, you'll get everything that you need in the box bar some insultaing tape (you have to join the wires), so if you want to do it a little neater then you could get some bullet sockets or some parallel joiners, but other than that you can buy them with or without the tape mod now so nothing else is required.

[evil_elmo]

what is this tape trick everyone talks about? do you take up the back of the CCFL with metal tape? anyone have pic of with tape trick and without?? is it really worth doing?

[mysticm3]

enhanced 2nd gen (tape mod would produce similar effect)
http://usera.imagecave.com/mysticm3/CCFL/enhanced22.jpg

1st gen no tape mod
http://usera.imagecave.com/mysticm3/CCFL/enhanced33.jpg

Tape mod basically gives you a cleaner/more defined look of the 4 rings. Tape modding the 1st gen angel eyes will invalidate the 12 month UK warranty though as the rings are not designed to be stuck with anything on the back

[Ali_]

Yah thats it bro,

You get some metal tape (mitre 10)

Lay your halo ring down on the tape and trace around the ring. (I did this twice per ring)

Peel off the backing of the tap and place on the back of the ring smoothing out as you go along.

Ummm without pics that might not make sense but anyway ahaha
elmo if you need tape ive got a load left over.

[evil_elmo]

cheers for clearing that up for me guys, i'll try the tape trick which i get them in the mail

thanks ali but i'll just get some tape from down here, save you the hassle but a big thanks anyways :)

[Ali_]

Sweet as mate, which set have you got coming your way?

[Nickleback]

btw is it possible to get mor smileys? I am getting bored with the ones we have...get some animated gifs as well :D

Yes please & along with a new DIY section would be :cool:

[read

[evil_elmo]

Sweet as mate, which set have you got coming your way?


getting a set of gen 2 from teddy :)

[MistaSmiff]

oh dear ..does'nt look like i'll be getting the Halo's from SSDD after all.. if this is true ..
Tape modding the 1st gen angel eyes will invalidate the 12 month UK warranty though as the rings are not designed to be stuck with anything on the back the tape mod makes a big difference from what i can see

I want a blue tinge to my halo's, i don't like the bright white at all.... ah well the search continues..

[bm_man]

Hi all

can anyone tell me what tape you need for this mod and where you got it from? I am expecting a set of halos soon :)

[peppernick]

oh dear ..does'nt look like i'll be getting the Halo's from SSDD after all.. if this is true ..
Tape modding the 1st gen angel eyes will invalidate the 12 month UK warranty though as the rings are not designed to be stuck with anything on the back the tape mod makes a big difference from what i can see

I want a blue tinge to my halo's, i don't like the bright white at all.... ah well the search continues..
I've done it to my Gen 1 and so far since Jan not a single problem [cool .....now that I've said it.........




can anyone tell me what tape you need for this mod and where you got it from?
Aluminium tape from Halfords or B&Q will do the trick.

[Chaos]

oh dear ..does'nt look like i'll be getting the Halo's from SSDD after all.. if this is true ..
Tape modding the 1st gen angel eyes will invalidate the 12 month UK warranty though as the rings are not designed to be stuck with anything on the back the tape mod makes a big difference from what i can see

I want a blue tinge to my halo's, i don't like the bright white at all.... ah well the search continues..I'm not sure you'll find any company that will guarantee their lighting products after you've half-covered them with tape, but good luck. ;) Maybe see if Teddy can get hold of some bluer enhanced second-gen ones if you don't have any luck?

[bm_man]

Thanks nick, appreciate it mate :)

[MistaSmiff]

I'm not sure you'll find any company that will guarantee their lighting products after you've half-covered them with tape, but good luck. ;) Maybe see if Teddy can get hold of some bluer enhanced second-gen ones if you don't have any luck?

So are your saying that doing the tape mod on any of SSDD's halo's invalidate the warranty?

[mysticm3]

well basically no companies will offer any kid of warranyt on lighting products such as bulbs etc as they are commonly considered as consumable items. I offer warranty on all my lighting products because I try to offer a better customer service. Well if you want to do the tape mod then do it, to be honest with you so many people have done it and no one has had a problem (to show how reliable the SSDD products are hehehe).

Anyway if forum people do the tape mod and the rings go bad, I'll replace them anyway, as I look after people on the site and that's the benefit of being an Evotechnik member.

The 1st gen angel eyes have the most pbeautiful colour on the market, we might be making the 2nd gen ones in 8500k too.

[MistaSmiff]

Perfect!...thats just what I wanted to hear MysticM3, [cool will order them tommorow :)

[evil_elmo]

installed my CCFL yesterday and they look awesome, big thanks to teddy :)

and thanks ali for explaining the tape trick....easy to do and easy to install :)

[ok

[Ali_]

Great to hear bro hope to see some fantastic pics shortly

[evil_elmo]

this is the best pic i can get of it

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/evil_elmo/DSC00876.jpg

[Ali_]

Thats a great start mate, are those silver light molds ??? now you need Black projectors on the corners [cool

[adood84]

whats the diffrence between 1st gen and 2nd gen?

[evil_elmo]

Thats a great start mate, are those silver light molds ??? now you need Black projectors on the corners [cool

yip silver moldings

[Chaos]

whats the diffrence between 1st gen and 2nd gen?Comparisons here (http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1262) dude.