ATTN: OEM Celis tail owners---Please help

[cal45fan]

I just bought a pair of original CELIS tails (North American specs). The green circle will help you know if you have the North Amrican specs because it shows 4 LED lights on the side. I need your help in determining the supply voltage for the CELIS lights only. Please....

[amancuso]

FYI, the N/A and Euro spec use the same voltage. If it will help you I can see if there is any info on the ballasts that came with my retrofit lights. The only difference between the retro ones and the stock N/A's is the cut out for the side lights (4 LEDS) and a reflector pattern on the side/bottom position. They also wire the brake light in differently to compensate for the different bolt-in position.

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by amancuso

FYI, the N/A and Euro spec use the same voltage. If it will help you I can see if there is any info on the ballasts that came with my retrofit lights. The only difference between the retro ones and the stock N/A's is the cut out for the side lights (4 LEDS) and a reflector pattern on the side/bottom position. They also wire the brake light in differently to compensate for the different bolt-in position.

Please let me know about the ballasts, especially, the voltage. Thanks.

[mattmartindrift]

Originally Posted by amancuso

FYI, the N/A and Euro spec use the same voltage. If it will help you I can see if there is any info on the ballasts that came with my retrofit lights. The only difference between the retro ones and the stock N/A's is the cut out for the side lights (4 LEDS) and a reflector pattern on the side/bottom position. They also wire the brake light in differently to compensate for the different bolt-in position.

could you measure the voltage from the ballast(s) to the LEDs?

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by mattmartindrift

could you measure the voltage from the ballast(s) to the LEDs?

Yes you can. The boxes are not really 'ballasts' but voltage regulators. Just ground the black test lead of your volt meter then find the wire leading to the celis from the connector. Make sure to put your volt meter to 20V DC. Thanks.

[rrcompton]

I wish I had a cheapy MM....my Fluke isnt working and Im not sure why, I checked the fuses and theyre fine? I have to send it in to get them to look at it but I always forget about it.

Also the LEDs have been shipped out so they should be there shortly. Hope you get this figured out.

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by rrcompton

I wish I had a cheapy MM....my Fluke isnt working and Im not sure why, I checked the fuses and theyre fine? I have to send it in to get them to look at it but I always forget about it.

Also the LEDs have been shipped out so they should be there shortly. Hope you get this figured out.

You know what? I went to Wallie World (WalMart) and found a clearance light for RV's and they all have LED's in them, the same thing used on the CELIS which are commonly known as PIRANHA/FLUX LED. Oddly enough, the brand of those lights are Piranha. I will tear into those as a last resort. I just have to figure out how to tear into the resin that they use to secure the resistors, LED's and diodes to get the parts I need.

Anyway, I still need to know the voltage of the CELIS for North American spec tail lights.

I do not understand why folks here are standing on the sidelines and not helping. All the have to do is ground the black lead of their volt meter to the body and then just poke thru the insulation of the wire or the connector itself leading up to the CELIS. Then report back. I'd appreciate it very much.

[rrcompton]

The ones I sent you are Philips superflux same as the piranhas. Theyre the exact same thing, except Philips is name brand.

http://www.philipslumileds.com/


LOL I cant believe nobody here has a MM but let a noob ask a question about rotors and pads and everyone will chime in about what to use even though its been asked a million and one times.

You think Walmart has them or maybe try Autozone, I know one of those places should have a cheapy MM for around 10 bucks or so. Also radioshack......

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by rrcompton

The ones I sent you are Philips superflux same as the piranhas. Theyre the exact same thing, except Philips is name brand.

http://www.philipslumileds.com/


LOL I cant believe nobody here has a MM but let a noob ask a question about rotors and pads and everyone will chime in about what to use even though its been asked a million and one times.

You think Walmart has them or maybe try Autozone, I know one of those places should have a cheapy MM for around 10 bucks or so. Also radioshack......

I have a good MM. I just need to know what the input voltage is on a North American spec CELIS so I can change the resistors and make the European spec accept a direct 12VDC and GET RID of those stupid Hella 'ballasts'.

My God! I am doing this just so people here will not have to buy ballasts that are astronomically expensive when they retrofit their 97-00 E39 with 01-03 tails!

People, throw me a bone. Don't be a mark!

[allamer35]

Originally Posted by cal45fan

I have a good MM. I just need to know what the input voltage is on a North American spec CELIS so I can change the resistors and make the European spec accept a direct 12VDC and GET RID of those stupid Hella 'ballasts'.

My God! I am doing this just so people here will not have to buy ballasts that are astronomically expensive when they retrofit their 97-00 E39 with 01-03 tails!

People, throw me a bone. Don't be a mark!

When I get home Ill get this voltage for you.

[SpeedsterBek]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a pair of CELIS tails laying around in basement, just don't have enough time to install them (damn exams).
Anyway I will try to go with a different route. I will be using LCM that came with the lights. Everything came off from 2002 540i, so I thought I might as well swap out LCM since I'll be putting Hella facefilt Xenons and CELIS. Will see how they turn out.

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by SpeedsterBek

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a pair of CELIS tails laying around in basement, just don't have enough time to install them (damn exams).
Anyway I will try to go with a different route. I will be using LCM that came with the lights. Everything came off from 2002 540i, so I thought I might as well swap out LCM since I'll be putting Hella facefilt Xenons and CELIS. Will see how they turn out.

When you put a new LCM in, you will have to get it re-coded for mileage. The mileage is stored in the LCM and IKE computers (instrument cluster). IF they do not match because of a direct swap, the tamper light will come on and you will have a hell of a hard time registering the car. Just my 2 cents.

[mattmartindrift]

Originally Posted by cal45fan

Yes you can. The boxes are not really 'ballasts' but voltage regulators. Just ground the black test lead of your volt meter then find the wire leading to the celis from the connector. Make sure to put your volt meter to 20V DC. Thanks.

sorry, I meant "would you" rather than "can you". I know you can.

[FP5241]

[mattmartindrift]

Originally Posted by allamer35

When I get home Ill get this voltage for you.

haven't heard this before!

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by mattmartindrift

haven't heard this before!

Well Matt, you better recognize. Some people actually do push through.

FP5241,

I did not know they served popcorn in the sidelines...

[amancuso]

I actually tried to get the numbers for you today, but my crappy digital multimeter from radio shack. It was giving me weird numbers, so i went to get new batteries for it, and zilch! I need to pick up a new meter, then I'll try again.

Turns out I just needed to replace the fuse. Now the reading I got for the CELIS was 10.75 V. It appears that 2 of the wires and a ground go to the "ballast" and one comes out. I measured the one that comes out of the "ballast"

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by amancuso

I actually tried to get the numbers for you today, but my crappy digital multimeter from radio shack. It was giving me weird numbers, so i went to get new batteries for it, and zilch! I need to pick up a new meter, then I'll try again.

Turns out I just needed to replace the fuse. Now the reading I got for the CELIS was 10.75 V. It appears that 2 of the wires and a ground go to the "ballast" and one comes out. I measured the one that comes out of the "ballast"

As it turns out, the Euro specs (yours) has the 10VDC system courtesy of the 'ballasts'.

The North American Specs has 12VDC.

Note: Those 2 wires, plus ground, that go in your 'ballasts' are the parking light wires for the older (97-00) E39's. Only one wire gets used for the retrofit CELIS. I wonder where the other wire connects to...maybe just a resistor to cancel the bulb out warning.

If I could find out what is inside those ballasts, I can totally replicate it! This will save our fellow members $$$ by not buying the Hella ballasts.

Shoot, if I can build fighter jets, I can build a simple 'ballast'.

[mattmartindrift]

why not just buy an appropriate LED driver, that uses 10-18vDC?

[540IForMe]

Originally Posted by cal45fan

If I could find out what is inside those ballasts, I can totally replicate it! This will save our fellow members $$$ by not buying the Hella ballasts.

Shoot, if I can build fighter jets, I can build a simple 'ballast'.

Dude, I'm subscribing. I've got this flicker(bulb test I believe, but enough current to light leds when they aren't on). I can probably get rid of the flicker with ballasts.

[nickMANDERFIELD]

i did all this already, make a retrofit kit that isnt from hella, etc, but gave up the project

if you need any help let me know via pm!

[mattmartindrift]

Originally Posted by 540IForMe

Dude, I'm subscribing. I've got this flicker(bulb test I believe, but enough current to light leds when they aren't on). I can probably get rid of the flicker with ballasts.

get rid of the flicker by re-programming your LCM for retrofitted LED tail lights.


I watched my LCM get coded last week w /a GT1 and there's a "retrofit" menu for cars that retrofitted HIDs and/or LED (celis) tail lights.

[SpeedsterBek]

Originally Posted by mattmartindrift

get rid of the flicker by re-programming your LCM for retrofitted LED tail lights.


I watched my LCM get coded last week w /a GT1 and there's a "retrofit" menu for cars that retrofitted HIDs and/or LED (celis) tail lights.

where did you get your LCM coded? Can you pm me the info? Thanks

[alexbenz]

here's my problem...i have the us spec lights with ballasts installed on a 98 but i'm not sure if it's me but the led's/celis look a little dim but i'll have to check out another 5er to verify...can something like that happen?

[cal45fan]

Originally Posted by alexbenz

here's my problem...i have the us spec lights with ballasts installed on a 98 but i'm not sure if it's me but the led's/celis look a little dim but i'll have to check out another 5er to verify...can something like that happen?

Your CELIS lights are dim because you have US spec tails AND the HELLA 'ballasts' are driving them. The US Spec tails are 12VDC and you are feeding it 10VDC. The 'ballasts' are only for EURO Spec tails. Find you a 01+ E39 and just buy the pigtails for the tail lights and splice them in.