My New Honda City in White - The Albus

[Essarr]

Hello,

@Essarr

As you have said earlier, indeed LEDs takes nanoseconds to turn ON but when fitted to indicators, they are flicker faster then stock bulbs. Is it normal? and it acts same in your car too? When turned ON as Emergency Lights, all LEDs flicker slow like normal bulbs.

@Cracing

Apologies for the delay, I been out of circuit for a while. Yes, LED indicators bulbs do flash faster than normal rate.

When I first changed all for indicator bulbs to SMD/LEDs, they seemed to be flashing at the correct rate. That was because I used the 'hazard' switch on the dash to test them when I fitted them for the first time (a mistake because I think it is a controlled flash). It was only when I was out on the road, I discovered they flashed faster with indicator was used. For now, I have re-installed the original WY20W bulbs at the rear and the flash rate seems to be almost normal, though the fronts are still amber LEDs. I did not bother changing the side indicator bulbs at all, left them with originals.

I am not an expert, but my garage electrician says adding an in-line load resistor to each of the rears (or all four) will fool the 'computer' to think that the OEM bulbs (and its load) are still in place. Practically speaking, the use of LEDs is not really about power savings in the car, but more to do with longer life of the bulbs. I have to do this 'resistor' project sometime in the near future.

This is the calculation given by my electrician: The 20W bulb draws about 1.75 amps, while the LEDs draw about 0.5 amps. A load resistor of 10 amps rating should get the LEDs blinking at normal rate. I think one has to go back to school and Ohms Law (V=IR) and that is probably where one would arrive. Over my head, anyway.

Has anyone else reported this faster blinking of LED indicators?

Edit Add-on: Further to my response above, this page tells you what type of resistors you should buy for LED indicator bulbs and what you should not: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Load-resistors-for-LED-indicator-bulb-replacement-/10000000010344226/g.html

 

[Essarr]

Car Steering Wheel Covers Part II​

Detailed information was already written by Dr MUDHAN here last year so I'll just put little from my side here.

Car steering wheel cover is a essential accessory for all cars, just like seat covers. It protects finishing of steering wheel and provides better grip to hold the wheel. There are two types of steering wheel covers found in market. One is ring type which you can directly fit to the steering wheel and no stitching required but it'll partially cover the wheel. The other one is hand stitched cover inwhich first you'll need to wrap it round the steering wheel and stitch in the edges to join. Both comes in different sizes, designs, materials (i.e cotton, pu leather, real leather & etc) and are priced accordingly. So one has to research and decide which suites better.

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I was actually interested in ring type steering wheel covers but due to several reasons (I wouldn't like to mention here), I had to choice hand stitched steering wheel cover.

Product Link: Here (Specific to Honda City i-Vtec)

Cost: Rs. 245/- including shipping

Review: The cover is made of PU leather and is stitched very nicely. Quality of PU leather is good and I don't think it will wear or tear easily but the materials used are thin, unlike other PU leather seat covers you see on bikes. I think its because the cover needs to stretched and fitted/warped to the steering wheel but it wasn't so easy for me alone to stretch it, had to use help of my brother. Stitching is also not easy as you'll need pull and press both the edges of the cover and stitch it. You'll find plenty of videos online but its not easy as shown. Also there are two types of stitch-able covers. One is to pass stitching thread over machine stitched threads and other is to pass stitching thread through pre-made holes. The cover I received had pre-made holes and thats the tricky/difficult job. Picture shown in ebay listing is different. Thread provided is limited in length and only a feet of extra thread is left after stitching. If you have no experience with stitching, better get it done by some good tailors. I had experience with tailoring and could finish the job nicely.

Pictures:

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Hope you guys liked it.

Thanks...
Best Regards

@Cracing - Good job with the steering wheel cover. For Rs. 245/- it looks like real leather. Only worry is if it will stand up to the sun's UV radiation over time. One thing that I notice, when you say City specific, it should not have stitch-holes in area where the three spokes meet the steering wheel - really a moot point when the cost is so low.

 

[CRACING]

@Essarr

Thanks for taking your time to respond my queries.

First I thought its because of LEDs that takes nano seconds to turn ON so they are flashing faster aka hyper-flashing but when researched more over internet, I came across BCM that is doing this and load resistors to solve it. It is also said that there is will no harm with hyper-flashing but its annoying for some..

Using load resistors requires stripping of O.E wires and fixing the resistors to any metal part to distribute heat but the wattage consumption will be similar as O.E bulbs. So if LEDs are branded and/or may live for long then its ok but if no guarantee of LEDs life, then it doesn't make sense in doing all these things.

Your idea about using 50-50, LEDs plus O.E bulbs makes sense. I shall try it tomorrow.

As of steering wheel cover, yes its not vehicle specific but universal. Box has no mention about car either, only size that is M. I think seller has made listings for different cars rather then different sizes so it makes easy for buyers to choice because most will not be knowing the wheel size. Quality is good so far and grip is excellent. Bare steering wheel used to slip earlier.

Thanks...
Best Regards

 

[Essarr]

@Essarr
Using load resistors requires stripping of O.E wires and fixing the resistors to any metal part to distribute heat but the wattage consumption will be similar as O.E bulbs. So if LEDs are branded and/or may live for long then its ok but if no guarantee of LEDs life, then it doesn't make sense in doing all these things.

Your idea about using 50-50, LEDs plus O.E bulbs makes sense. I shall try it tomorrow.

@Cracing

I think it is wiser to leave the rear and side indicators with standard bulbs (ambers removed from my front is now in the tool-box as spare).

If you really want to take this matter of converting all indicator bulbs to LED, then I can't think of a better person than Phil Suslow at Oznium, US, to point you in the right direction. They do sell pre-wired indicator specific LED bulbs. He can also advise you on what kind of resistors you need, if you send the specs of you LED bulbs to him (he does know me as SR). Instead of adding individual resistors for each LED lamp, he may be able to tell you how to do it on lighting PCB itself, which it will cover all four (or six) indicator bulbs with a single resistor. That, however, will be more on a permanent basis.

Oznium.com Contact Info

 

[CRACING]

@Essarr
Thanks for letting me know about oznium but as of now, don't have plans to alter O.E wires and internal PCBs. If I had found load resistors with T20 sockets, I would have used it but they are expensive and limited.

By the way, your solution of mixing LEDs and O.E bulbs doesn't seems to work. I have tried putting LED bulb in front and stock bulb in rear and vice versa also but indicator still flash faster. Side markers have O.E bulbs. I guess your car BCM is different or your LED bulbs draw more power then mine.

 

[Mr.Swamy]

Dear All,

I must say that I am so pleased that this blog keeps going from strength to strength. Being a biased and avid admirer of Dr. Mudhan, I have also come to appreciate the other regulars here for their time and valuable input in giving this blog texture, depth, eclecticism and most off all honesty whether the experiment was + or -. This is like my favourite coffee shop in Bangalore called India Coffee House off MG Road. For a decade or more I have been a on and off visitor in the mornings and everytime I would see the a group of middle aged men to post middle aged (I'm not too far off being middle aged myself) meeting sharing a coffee, talking about the who's who and what's what of life. I would envy them their bonding and ability to make time to meet each other almost daily. The patrons at times make a place special. This blog gives me a similar feeling of familiarity too. First and foremost my adulation for CRACING for his continued presence in just about every other page, Essarr, quraish 786, ravib, tsi vipul, kuwaronline and many more who I just cant mention as I already have written a rather long message.

Oopsy! DR. MUDHAN tooo.!

The blog's Dumbledore .

 

[Essarr]

The blog's Dumbledore .

Dubledore? I rather say, "Mr.Swamy and Friends" in homage to R.K.Narayan..! Welcome to the "Albus" blog. -SR

 

[Essarr]

Hi Cityfolks, anyone has any experience/success with widow sun shades. The intended use is only for long distance (when the sun bares down on one side for long hours, and I don't know if the cops will pull me over within city limits). From what most users say (including my garage owner) I find most what is available on the Indian market is not up to the mark. My research leads me NSV Auto's (an Australian company, with manufacturing base in Taiwan) Laser Shades. It is expensive, but it does what it is suppose to, without falling off. Any thoughts, welcome.
NSV Laser Shades Honda City I Vtec 5 PCS "Watch Video" | eBay

 

[kuwaronline]

Hi Dr.Mudhan....got few installations...1) Reverse Camera, 2) Brake Lights [ordered for blinking one in aliexpress but got only simple brake lights to replace the reflector] and Yes 3) Pioneer AVH-X8690BT . my auto electrician advised me to not change any speakers as the OEM ones sound good. The only suggestion was addition of a sub with an amp. but my friend who is a service manager in Honda was against it saying amp drains the battery. uploading some snaps. video taken with my S4 is tilted by 90% to the left. wonder how to correct it? in VLC i can tilt correctly by menu options for viewing. members can pl tell me how to correct the video.

Great!!! I do have same set-up almost but with sub+amp+component speakers. If you need excellent sound go for component speakers existing one are dead in city. Installing sub+amp is personal choice based on your personal test. About battery problem I used my music system extensively for 2.5 years and battery is still pretty good but now I think it showing the sign of ageing and I would install new one sooner (will follow post by Dr.Mudhan).

I didnt install reverse cemara, which one you got? can you help me with the reviews of it. It will be good to know as we have same set-up(pioneer ICS)

 

[Mr.Swamy]

Originally Posted by SUNREX
Hi Dr.Mudhan....got few installations.Pioneer AVH-X8690BT . my auto electrician advised me to not change any speakers as the OEM ones sound good.

Even i have to agree with your electrician that the OEM speakers sound good in the Honda City at least the model that I have with 6 speakers. 4 in front door + 2 at backdoor. There is thump and there is clearness and i have felt no need to modify the sound. Of course if one wants the sound that can be heard 3 blocks away then a definite upgrade would be mandatory, which would also cost a fair bit. Mind you when you are all by yourself and driving you would not be thumping away as it is quite deafening inside the car, maybe the people outside the car would enjoy the nice sound but inside the car it is audio hell!
With regard to battery it is your call as the Amp has a direct connection from the battery!

At least used to be a direct connect during my younger days when I would try all sorts of upgrades for louder and better sound.

 

[Essarr]

The first area for improvement to audio quality using audio/OEM speakers and has be sound proofing I have done to the outer skin of the door panels. (page 60, discussion #898) - SR

 

[kuwaronline]

Yes, I have but only for all four doors. There is a noticeable improvement in cabin quietness, (I have to add the 195/15 Pirelli P1 had already contributed here - that is in comparison to the stock 175/15 MRFs). For some reason now there is an illusion that the engine is louder than before (which, I know cannot be true if I measure it with an SPL meter). The music has a much clearer output and at lower volume settings. I used a Chinese made thermal/acoustic 2mm thick sheets with self-adhesive backing. I know this is not 3M but the adhesive backing seems quite effective. Essential for any adhesion: surface preparation was done by using a de-greaser before the sheets were cut and mounted (vinegar/water mix should be just fine). I have not experienced the effectiveness of thermal insulation yet because it is still cool out there.

Two sheets are requried to cover four doors:
Universal Car Damping Heat and Sound Insulation Sheet For Under Hood And Door. | Auto Trends

Hi Essarr,

Thanks for details, I thinking to buy these two sheets from same seller. Just wanted to know if its reliable seller? how much time he need to ship the item etc.

Thanks

 

[Essarr]

Hi Essarr,

Thanks for details, I thinking to buy these two sheets from same seller. Just wanted to know if its reliable seller? how much time he need to ship the item etc.

Thanks

Hi Kunwaronline, I received my damping sheets in 6 days - Mumbai to Chennai. I have not seen any negative reports about AutoTrends, and they have been in the business for many years. They are located at 304/E, Ovlekar House, Bangadwadi Lane V.P. Road, Mumbai – 400 004. You live in Mumbai, I think could be worth asking them if they will do the job of fitting the soundproofing sheets if you take the car to them.

Few days ago, a friend who owns and drives a newer Honda City (2013) drove my 2011 car and even with a few minutes into the drive, he said, "For some reason, your car feel a lot more solid and quieter than mine". I had to let him about the soundproofing and the wider Pirelli's.

 

[kuwaronline]

Thank you for quick response Essarr.

Yes currently my car is in Mumbai, I would be taking her to Delhi in mid april. So just before wanted to give a try to kill road noise and if it helps to reduce temp inside will be great.

I will go to them directly lets c if they do it. will post details about it along with pics.

 

[bhaveshce]

Kuwaronline,

I am also interested to do this but didn't get time to take this task on hand. Please keep us updated.