Fog-light project

DJ 190

A2OC Donor
The fog-lights at the front are hardly used, so I thought that they could be far more useful as DRL's. What was needed was some DRL device which would fit inside the front fog-light housing. They needed to be 90 mm diameter and shallow. These seemed to be perfect : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pc-12V-...365189?hash=item1cd0b14e85:g:HCkAAOSwpLxcahP3 They arrived today in only 3 days and cost £5.64, sent! That is amazing! How can something like this be manufactured AND posted for not much more than a pint of lager? I had two spare fog lights and I've had an initial look at things. It is very, very good news! The DRL fits perfectly inside the front fog-light section. The next stage is to cut completely away the reflector of the rear section. That will then allow the two parts of the fog-light to be joined together again, holding the DRL firmly in place, inside. It does look SO good, just like it was made that way! It will obviously look perfectly aligned when fitted into the front section and the original fog-light front glass will give extra protection to DRL display. (That was said to be waterproof, anyway). This is all very exciting and I've got great hopes for something special when I've completed this work. I'll take a few photo's as I progress with it.

David
 
That sounds a nice "easy" project. How are you going to separate the two parts of the fog light? Dremel? Or can you warm them to soften the glue?
 
Glue? Dremel? Two simple "cams" on either side and the position adjuster to loosen. Simple and easy to separate in minutes. The reflector forms an integral part of the rear section, so that IS where the Dremel comes in. The sloping, reflective cone part has to be carefully cut away. If it's done correctly, the two parts can be reconnected and everything's there to fit it back where it belongs. Obviously it can't be used as a fog-light again, but the DRL display is probably powerful enough to be of benefit in fog, anyway ....

David
 
Look forward to seeing the photographs. Do the leds have to be orientated a certain way?
 
Dave,
The back of the fog light, the part which is the reflector is made from aluminium, it is possible to machine away this part as I have done so myself, but it will be hard and slow work with a dremmel

I chain drilled with a 4mm drill to remove the bulk of the centre section, then cleaned up the housing with a burr on a dremmel
very slow messy work

Doing it again now I would clamp to my cnc milling machine and mill out the centre section

Paul
 
I have JUST returned from my workshop and WOW!, have I found it hard work! I've used a hacksaw to reduce the height by 4-5 mm. I still need to remove the centre sloping section and it's SO hard! I tried cutting through with a Dremel/cutting disc and gave up for the night. I'm going to adopt your chain-drilling technique tomorrow. I'm curious ..... what were you trying to achieve, Paul? Was it exactly what I have in mind? Incidentally, my friend is a model-maker and has a milling machine. We only met-up last night!

David
 
Or a 4” angle grinder with a diamond slitting disc?
That's far too massive for such a small item!. It is important not to damage the fasteners that will allow the two halves to be connected together again.

David
 
I was fitting a combines fog light and DRL, both LED
The fog light turned out to have zero beam pattern, so I scrapped the idea part way through

will post a photo of the end result latter

Paul
 
Here you go
Finished result looked very good, but when fitted the fogs just blinded everyone, there is no beam pattern or cut off what so ever

Best of luck with you mod

Paul


54937
54938
 
I prefer the "halo" style just a shame didn't work out in practice. Still not convinced but will watch with keen interest to see how things develop.
 
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This is a VERY cheap project/experiment. Just a few £'s. I've got a good feel for this. Those cheap DRL's also are "mm" perfect fit. The LED array is uniform and the front is designed to blend the output into a dense area of light. I will still have my original fog-lights, so if this doesn't work out as I'm expecting, then no problem .... back go the originals! My outlay is £5.64 and I've got the time. I tend to think positively to things and the Osram units mentioned here are rather more expensive! Lets just see how this goes ....

David
 
I like the OSRAM kit. My A2 doesn't have fogs, so can anyone summarise the bumper work involved, and positioning info please? I'm OK with the electrical stuff. Thanks in advance. Mac.
 
This could well end up being a cost v performance thing. Yes the far more expensive units do look more OEM with the dual function but at the cost the cheaper alternative may well prove to be the winner for some owners. Great work all concerned and keep us informed as the project matures. Does look easier to do than trying to get something inside the headlights, especially the later non splittable ones. Extra lights somewhere else would just not look right.
 
I like the OSRAM kit. My A2 doesn't have fogs, so can anyone summarise the bumper work involved, and positioning info please? I'm OK with the electrical stuff. Thanks in advance. Mac.

No modification to the bumper is required.

There are two removable plastic clip in panels either side of the lower grill in the bumper. Cars with fog lights have panels fitted with holes where as those without have flat panels. You just need to unclip the flat ones and swap with the ones with holes.

regards

Andrew
 
Extra lights somewhere else would just not look right.
Well, I'll have to see about that .... My headlights have a row of genuine Audi Q7 DRL's fitted inside. These modified fog-lights would be additional. I'm not sure, yet, if it's going to be "over the top"! They will be in close proximity to each other. Knowing how I go about things, I suppose that I COULD make these latest DRL'S switchable! LOL! Anyway, DRL's are supposed to be a safety feature, so I'll certainly be noticed!

David
 
Well, I'll have to see about that .... My headlights have a row of genuine Audi Q7 DRL's fitted inside. These modified fog-lights would be additional. I'm not sure, yet, if it's going to be "over the top"! They will be in close proximity to each other. Knowing how I go about things, I suppose that I COULD make these latest DRL'S switchable! LOL! Anyway, DRL's are supposed to be a safety feature, so I'll certainly be noticed!

David
I've already got DRLs, but just out of interest, where do I buy q7 DRLs? I think they really look the part on an A2.
 
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