How about a quick/short LED headlight flicker thread?

[steve973]

Hi, all. I am sure that, for those of you who have done an LED upgrade on your non-Lariat models, you like the upgrade as much as I do, and that it is an awesome value. I have searched these forums for "flicker", but not a whole lot has been said on the matter, except that the inline modules with resistors and capacitors mitigate or eliminate the flicker when the computer drops the voltage for testing whether or not a bulb is burned out. But I have a few questions for any of you who might like to weigh in, and then other people can have a reference or a starting point.

1. You can get these anti-flicker modules that claim to eliminate the canbus error. Are these any different than the ones that do not make that claim? Specifically, is it simply the presence of the capacitor that prevents the error? Mine has never has thrown any errors, even though I get a flicker once in a while. But I would like to know if there is a difference, and if there is a difference, is it better to buy a pair that specifically mentions the prevention of the canbus error?
2. For those who have installed a pair of these modules on your Ranger, what brand did you buy, and have they been effective? Everybody loves Diode Dynamics, so out of all of the ones I have looked at, I am partial to these: https://www.amazon.com/Diode-Dynamics-Headlight-Flicker-Harness/dp/B07VF7GVPL/ and if you have installed them, I would like to hear your thoughts.
3. Is there enough room behind the dust caps to fit them? It seems tight enough with the LED bulb units, themselves, so I would be surprised if these things fit in there as well.
4. If they indeed fit, do they generate significant heat? It's pretty cold in Maryland right now, being February, but I need everything to be good to go during the hottest part of the summer.

Thanks in advance!

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[steve973]

Anybody?

 

[weasel1]

Hi, all. I am sure that, for those of you who have done an LED upgrade on your non-Lariat models, you like the upgrade as much as I do, and that it is an awesome value. I have searched these forums for "flicker", but not a whole lot has been said on the matter, except that the inline modules with resistors and capacitors mitigate or eliminate the flicker when the computer drops the voltage for testing whether or not a bulb is burned out. But I have a few questions for any of you who might like to weigh in, and then other people can have a reference or a starting point.

1. You can get these anti-flicker modules that claim to eliminate the canbus error. Are these any different than the ones that do not make that claim? Specifically, is it simply the presence of the capacitor that prevents the error? Mine has never has thrown any errors, even though I get a flicker once in a while. But I would like to know if there is a difference, and if there is a difference, is it better to buy a pair that specifically mentions the prevention of the canbus error?
2. For those who have installed a pair of these modules on your Ranger, what brand did you buy, and have they been effective? Everybody loves Diode Dynamics, so out of all of the ones I have looked at, I am partial to these: https://www.amazon.com/Diode-Dynamics-Headlight-Flicker-Harness/dp/B07VF7GVPL/ and if you have installed them, I would like to hear your thoughts.
3. Is there enough room behind the dust caps to fit them? It seems tight enough with the LED bulb units, themselves, so I would be surprised if these things fit in there as well.
4. If they indeed fit, do they generate significant heat? It's pretty cold in Maryland right now, being February, but I need everything to be good to go during the hottest part of the summer.

Thanks in advance!

1. The canbus error doesn't have anything to do with our "flicker". Those modules usually have both a resistor(load) and a capacitor(signal filter).
2. Good question. Have yet to hear of anyone trying.
3. Its tight in there.but most of the modules I have seen look like they can be stuffed in there.
4. Shouldn't be much if any heat.

The anti-flicker modules you are seeing are for filtering pulsing daytime running lights. Most modern vehicles use a PWM signal for the DRL's. Some led bulbs are sensitive to that and require the module. for a smooth power signal to the bulb so it doesn't burn out prematurely. It was discussed somewhere in a thread I started that the pulsing we are seeing could be the computer checking to see if a bulb is there and if its functioning properly. I have seen the same effect on a Ram truck with halogen bulbs. I keep meaning to get some of these modules to try because I think it may help or eliminate the pulsing we are seeing. For the record, I was looking at the exact same ones you were, but I just haven't bought them yet to try. I'm sure a few of us might be motivated to buy the modules if you decided to try them and it worked

 

[DHMag]

What LED are you using for the headlamp ? I have put 3 different brands in my low beam with the only issue being the occasional blink. The blink is seldom and very slight, you have to be looking for it to see it. None of the 3 have had flicker problems, even when the low beam was used as the DRL.

 

[steve973]

Yeah, it's an infrequent and fast/slight blink. Though I don't think they are working at all as DRLs.

 

[weasel1]

I betcha they are. Drive up real close to a wall with transmission still in gear and you should be able to see the glare off the wall. If it's in park the DRL's will shut off, so you can't get out and check.

 

[coblueberryranger]

I have the diode dynamics SL1 led low beam with their anti flicker module. The only flicker I have is when it switches from DRL to actual headlight. For me however they do not fit with the dust caps

 

[steve973]

I betcha they are. Drive up real close to a wall with transmission still in gear and you should be able to see the glare off the wall. If it's in park the DRL's will shut off, so you can't get out and check.

It only seems to work with the headlights on "auto" mode, but I guess that is to be expected.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I have the diode dynamics SL1 led low beam with their anti flicker module. The only flicker I have is when it switches from DRL to actual headlight. For me however they do not fit with the dust caps

Yeah, they don't list those bulbs as compatible with our trucks yet because of this fitment issue.

I have had a lot of their stuff and checked with them when I noticed they only had HID bulbs for the Ranger. They're working on a design update which will allow those bulbs to fit in our housings with the dust caps on them, last I heard "sometime this year."

 

[coblueberryranger]

Yeah, they don't list those bulbs as compatible with our trucks yet because of this fitment issue.

I have had a lot of their stuff and checked with them when I noticed they only had HID bulbs for the Ranger. They're working on a design update which will allow those bulbs to fit in our housings with the dust caps on them, last I heard "sometime this year."

yeah I got them just after they released them and they said they were able to fit them in fine on the first test ranger but after that people have had issues including me. Others have had no problems at all.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

yeah I got them just after they released them and they said they were able to fit them in fine on the first test ranger but after that people have had issues including me. Others have had no problems at all.

That would explain it. I still have some cheap Car Rovers that I'm going to stick with until DD releases their updated bulbs.

 

[Msfitoy]

Yeah, it's an infrequent and fast/slight blink. Though I don't think they are working at all as DRLs.

I've seen mine do that...it's so infrequent and if I'd blinked I'd miss it...I don't find it remotely serious enough to pursue a solution...

 

[abrown.84]

I just installed the Auxito (Mini Size) without the anti-flicker. After a lot of research these are the only LED bulbs that will allow the dust cover to be re-installed. Living in Arizona the dust cover is a must, lots of sand and dust. I did purchase the ant-flicker but opt'd to not install it as it wouldn't fit behind the dust cover. I can provide an update after some night driving.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I just installed the Auxito (Mini Size) without the anti-flicker. After a lot of research these are the only LED bulbs that will allow the dust cover to be re-installed. Living in Arizona the dust cover is a must, lots of sand and dust. I did purchase the ant-flicker but opt'd to not install it as it wouldn't fit behind the dust cover. I can provide an update after some night driving.

There are a lot more that will fit, but there's also a lot that won't.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/led-headlight-bulbs.4589/

 

[DHMag]

There are a lot more that will fit, but there's also a lot that won't.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/led-headlight-bulbs.4589/

Ive noticed that a bunch of LED bulbs have disappeared from Amazon. The JDM Astar I have in the low beam isn't available any more

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