Anybody know of an alternative to the ck71 Daytime Running Lights?

[Aero_Tech]

Double post.

 

[Devin]

I was thinking about trying to tear apart my original failed set and put a replacement strip from DD in there.

Did you manage to get yours apart? Did you replace the strips?

Trying to figure out my options. I really like the lights but their durability sucks large.

I had to destroy it to get the strip out. I'm sure it is possible to get it out without totally dismantling it, but I don't know how.

 

[Aero_Tech]

I had to destroy it to get the strip out. I'm sure it is possible to get it out without totally dismantling it, but I don't know how.

They must be held together with more than just silicone if they're that difficult to take apart.

The page on the DD site for these strips (HD LED Switchback Strip (single)) states they are waterproof; yet it also states at the bottom they are meant for installation in a sealed lamp housing. If these are already waterproof how is it water is even able to get in and stop the lights from functioning??

I'm thinking about getting these strips and making my own but would need to figure out how to encapsulate them or if it's really necessary. The wife uses clear 2-part epoxy for her hobby stuff. I'm wondering if simply pouring clear epoxy over the strip to seal it and act as a 'lens' would work. I could even add some dye to the epoxy to slightly tint it to bring down the brightness. There has to be a method that works better than what is currently being done because this clearly isn't working like it's supposed to.

The more think about how much I paid for these leaking lights the more pissed off I'm getting.

Edit: Just came across this thread --> How to make your own CK71 Style DRLs

I'll definitely give this a go with my original untouched vents. I'll make some changes to the way it's sealed but this will be a good start and I won't have to spend another $400 to do it.

 

[Devin]

They must be held together with more than just silicone if they're that difficult to take apart.

My biggest issue was not being able to find a seam. I could not find a spot where the LED housing and lens were joined. I feel like they were epoxied and then sanded down, then polished.

 

[Aero_Tech]

My biggest issue was not being able to find a seam. I could not find a spot where the LED housing and lens were joined. I feel like they were epoxied and then sanded down, then polished.

That's quite possible. Going to tear mine apart this week. This should be interesting lol.

 

[Snicklefritz]

My biggest issue was not being able to find a seam. I could not find a spot where the LED housing and lens were joined. I feel like they were epoxied and then sanded down, then polished.

I've read along as this thread develops. This point that you just made makes me ask, how does moisture get inside then? It sounds like the builder of these DRLs did his due diligence.

 

[Aero_Tech]

I've read along as this thread develops. This point that you just made makes me ask, how does moisture get inside then? It sounds like the builder of these DRLs did his due diligence.

The water is definitely entering mine from near the top at the front. I was literally watching a drop of water slowly run down the front of the housing and pool at the bottom where the rest of the water is now collecting. I originally thought it was entering via the back on my first ones so for my replacement set I added a lot of extra sealant to the back and where the harness enters. It's impossible for anything to come in through the back now.

My guess is the front 'lens' or whatever it's called isn't 100% sealed. All it takes is a tiny hole. I'm going to take off the one that leaks and look over it with a magnifying glass to see if I can find where the water is entering.

 

[Devin]

I've read along as this thread develops. This point that you just made makes me ask, how does moisture get inside then? It sounds like the builder of these DRLs did his due diligence.

I couldn't find a seam. There obviously is some ingress. Folks aren't making this up.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I couldn't find a seam. There obviously is some ingress. Folks aren't making this up.

Ima not suggesting such. just trying to understand. when these things were first offered, the maker was pretty stoked and very positive. now it's all gone sour. maybe the LED strip isn't the best suited for continuous exposure to weather extremes? it doesn't sound like the DRLs were poorly crafted pieces.

 

[Aero_Tech]

Ima not suggesting such. just trying to understand. when these things were first offered, the maker was pretty stoked and very positive. now it's all gone sour. maybe the LED strip isn't the best suited for continuous exposure to weather extremes? it doesn't sound like the DRLs were poorly crafted pieces.

DD States the strip itself is not weather proof and needs to be installed in a sealed enclosure. In these cases it's not the strip that's the problem, it's the 'sealed enclosure' not being fully sealed.

 

[Aero_Tech]

I finally got around to taking these apart. I managed to remove the lenses almost fully intact. The trick is to use a heat gun and then gently pry everything up. The LED strip itself appears to be held in place with butyl tape because it's an absolute gooey mess once the strips are pulled out.



Still not sure how the lens itself is made but it there is a slight 'flange' the runs down inside the housing which makes me think this was poured using a mould of some sort. I was going to try and re-use the vents but they're far too messy with all that butyl tape and it's a b*tch to remove even with a heat gun. There is no way that water can enter from the rear so it's definitely coming somewhere from the front.

I'm working on making my own set with the original vents that I still have (with help from an old post by 'Tee' - How to make your own CK71 Style DRLs). I'll be using a different method for the lens which should make it impossible for any moisture ingress to occur. I'll be using the same switchback strips from DD. I'm also going to be using Deutsch connectors since the generic ones that came with the CK71's end up with corrosion inside the contacts. They're supposed to be weatherproof but not from what I've experienced so far.

 

[Kelrog]

From what I remember seeing on some of his social media when he was first putting them together, he was doing a mold with a clear epoxy resin and would use a comb to create the lens refraction lines.

 

[Transmetal]

So I got these installed today.











I must say, I'm not a fan. Maybe better than having one light working and one off though. These look cheap when compared to the CK71s.

Maybe I shoulda went with the ones from Strictly Business. These are the eBay KO versions. They are not bright at all. I'm also not a fan of the curvature they have while the CK71s are straight. I also think the CK71s look more OEM when on because the thin lights match the thin lines of the stock drls. These are thicker and don't really look factory, they look more like a tacked on aftermarket piece. I don't remember what I paid for them, under $100 if I remember correctly but I paid to have the same shop that installed the CK71s install these. They said the wiring was different on these, idk?

Before:

 

[Aero_Tech]

So I got these installed today.

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I must say, I'm not a fan. Maybe better than having one light working and one off though. These look cheap when compared to the CK71s.

Maybe I shoulda went with the ones from Strictly Business. These are the eBay KO versions. They are not bright at all. I'm also not a fan of the curvature they have while the CK71s are straight. I also think the CK71s look more OEM when on because the thin lights match the thin lines of the stock drls. These are thicker and don't really look factory, they look more like a tacked on aftermarket piece. I don't remember what I paid for them, under $100 if I remember correctly but I paid to have the same shop that installed the CK71s install these. They said the wiring was different on these, idk?

Before:
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I don't think they look too bad. It's better than having half-lit water filled garbage. I thought I read somewhere the ones from Strictly Business were the same as the ones you can get on eBay or Ali Express.

Mine are almost done. I've got the epoxy poured and cured and the Connecter installed. No way these things are going to leak since the strips themselves are encapsulated. Just have to build a new harness for each one with Deutsch Connectors that runs from the headlight breakout harness to the switchback module. The colder it gets the lazier I become though lol.

 

[ocean_wro]

I don't think they look too bad. It's better than having half-lit water filled garbage. I thought I read somewhere the ones from Strictly Business were the same as the ones you can get on eBay or Ali Express.

Mine are almost done. I've got the epoxy poured and cured and the Connecter installed. No way these things are going to leak since the strips themselves are encapsulated. Just have to build a new harness for each one with Deutsch Connectors that runs from the headlight breakout harness to the switchback module. The colder it gets the lazier I become though lol.

Hi. I've been following all the threads about CK71 and similar for a long time. In my Stinger I currently have DRL from China and they are not good. I have ordered stripes from DD and I will make DRL myself. I have already prepared the original air intakes and I am waiting for the stripes. I intend to immerse them in epoxy resin. Have you finished your project yet? I am interested in whether the LED heating does not cause problems with the resin, whether nothing yellows, as to the resistance of the resin to road conditions such as stones, etc. Please write something my email: pawel.glibowski@gmail.com

 

[Transmetal]

It's amazing to me that a reputable company hasn't yet stepped up to make us a set of fog/driving/drl lights that are good.

I suppose it could be that our cars just ain't mainstream enough, as evidenced by all the random people that come up to ask me what the car is. On top of that, don't all the gt2's get the dynamic bending feature? So I guess it's a small niche of customers that would even want some extra lights.

I like how the Ck71s look but clearly they aren't built that great. Cost way too much to not last long. I currently have the eBay ones that I really don't like. Ck71s took a crap on me. Would like some similar to the Ck71s but just built to be waterproof with a better housing. Guess that's too much to ask.

 

[Aero_Tech]

It's amazing to me that a reputable company hasn't yet stepped up to make us a set of fog/driving/drl lights that are good.

I suppose it could be that our cars just ain't mainstream enough, as evidenced by all the random people that come up to ask me what the car is. On top of that, don't all the gt2's get the dynamic bending feature? So I guess it's a small niche of customers that would even want some extra lights.

I like how the Ck71s look but clearly they aren't built that great. Cost way too much to not last long. I currently have the eBay ones that I really don't like. Ck71s took a crap on me. Would like some similar to the Ck71s but just built to be waterproof with a better housing. Guess that's too much to ask.

I doubt we'll ever see anything new. Like you said, it's a niche item.
That being said, besides the ones I'm making myself, I still have a spare set of vent inserts and ordered some 7" & 9" DRL's from Ali Express just to see what they're all about. It was only $15 for a pair. They don't look too cheaply made but one thing I noticed is they have a similar 'ribbed/textured' lens similar to the CK71's that I may be able to re-purpose. I don't like the 'waterfall' effect for the turn signal though. Seems somewhat silly to me. I'm going to keep messing around with some ideas and see what comes of it. Getting a little sick and tired of taking the bumper off to deal with the leaking CK71's though. I'll probably try the other method next time where the bumper doesn't get removed.

 

[ocean_wro]

Wątpię, żebyśmy kiedykolwiek zobaczyli coś nowego. Jak powiedziałeś, to niszowy przedmiot.
To powiedziawszy, oprócz tych, które robię sam, mam jeszcze zapasowy zestaw wkładek do otworów wentylacyjnych i zamówiłem kilka 7" i 9" DRL z Ali Express, żeby zobaczyć, o co w nich chodzi. Kosztowały tylko 15 dolarów za parę. Nie wyglądają na tandetnie wykonane, ale zauważyłem, że mają podobną soczewkę „żebrowaną/teksturalną” podobną do CK71, którą być może będę mógł wykorzystać ponownie. Nie podoba mi się jednak efekt „wodospadu” kierunkowskazu. Wydaje mi się to trochę głupie. Będę dalej bawił się pomysłami i zobaczę, co z tego wyniknie. Mam już trochę dość zdejmowania zderzaka, żeby poradzić sobie z przeciekającymi CK71. Prawdopodobnie następnym razem spróbuję innej metody, w której zderzak nie zostanie usunięty.

miałeś zrobić projekt z paskiem led, wlać DD do żywicy. Czy to zadziałało? Jestem w trakcie, czekam tylko na same paski.

 

[djerickd]

just get the cheap ebays and call it a day?!

 

[ocean_wro]

just get the cheap ebays and call it a day?!

I have these Chinese DRLs from Ebay/Aliexpress installed. They shine poorly and interfere with my radio. I want to install internal strips like in CK71, but embed them in epoxy to completely avoid moisture. I already have the frames themselves, I'm waiting for the US to PL shipment. Then I will finish the project.