Noz Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I'm thinking to build a small plug-and-play system that measures humidity in the light and then power a 12v air pump to move the air within the light. The controller will be programmed to only operate when the supply voltage is above a certain value. Therefore not being responsible for draining any cars left disconnect from trickle chargers. It will slot in the top circular plug position (clear on pre-facelift, black with side vent on facelift), as I've made plugs for here anyway so I would just need a hole for the wiring. For UK models, I would move air through a vent port, but that would need different programming, as to move some air first before taking a measurement. As the sensor would have to be located externally. Though not a major issue just some basic plumbing and coding. I'd like to help someone who has fogging, as this would be the ideal first case. During my days refurbing headlights, I was never able to solve the cause, a new seal or sealant around every joint didn't seem to fix some old lights. Occurrences of one light being an issue from a pair, full clean, reseal, tyre shine all the rubbers and STILL the same light. I'd like to finally solve this issue, If anyone wants to be the guinea pig, it would be great. Thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 The only time I had flogging was when I didn't put my lamp cover on properly at the back of the light it's a round black plastic thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 I've even tried replacing those on some sets. It seems to be talked about less often, but I still see it here and there when I attend anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 It's not just old sets that suffer from this. There have been plenty of threads over the years of this occurring on brand new sets of headlights, be that glass or plastic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 You know mine does this (uk one side). And started when was 1 year old so not only old ones do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Mate my attempt to reseal mine has failed and the passenger side one now looks like a goldfish bowl. The dirvers side one has slight fogging after rain. Any help would be great as im thinking im going to have to bin them/ attempt a full reseal removal which if im honest scared the crap outa me the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 8 minutes ago, The Raven said: Mate my attempt to reseal mine has failed and the passenger side one now looks like a goldfish bowl. The dirvers side one has slight fogging after rain. Any help would be great as im thinking im going to have to bin them/ attempt a full reseal removal which if im honest scared the crap outa me the first time. Use Butyl tape roll for the first layer followed by black rtv silicone. Dont use hard PU sealants you need really flexible and waterproof stuff i found Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 I've used butyl tape. Sealants. Some lights don't make any improvement whatever seal you use. I've had butyl tape bulging out the seal. Still unable to determine the cause. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 57 minutes ago, The Raven said: Mate my attempt to reseal mine has failed and the passenger side one now looks like a goldfish bowl. The dirvers side one has slight fogging after rain. Any help would be great as im thinking im going to have to bin them/ attempt a full reseal removal which if im honest scared the crap outa me the first time. Any photos mate? We could prove a point and reseal it first. Just to prove its not that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Sure will nab some photos in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Drivers side isn’t to bad, passenger one is fubar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Shame I can't pressure test them. That would tell a story. Want to post them to me? If you pay return postage I'll reseal them for you for free. Then if start fogging again. We know its something else and we have a baseline for an air mod. I'll go over all the rubbers etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 That would be great mate. Thanks very much. Pm over your address and I will get them out in the next few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 Anyone else who has a similar issue of course can feel free to comment. Be good to try and help a few examples out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 On 1/30/2021 at 12:05 PM, supra_aero said: You know mine does this (uk one side). And started when was 1 year old so not only old ones do it. I'll send you a text mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickyBlue Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Mine fog up terribly. I've bought some butyl and in going to try re sealing them. If that fails it will probably be new headlights time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 On 2/3/2021 at 11:08 AM, TrickyBlue said: Mine fog up terribly. I've bought some butyl and in going to try re sealing them. If that fails it will probably be new headlights time. Don't quit on them just yet, maybe options! I've had a tiny 12v air pump arrive. I just need to sort out pipework to trial it now to see if it fixes the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolizma Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Mine does it too occasionally. On UK spec glass headlights. I think the answer to that problem might be ventilation rather than trying to seal it off completely. In my experience the condensation will form anyways. If you have some sort of ventilation it will go away faster than having the light completely sealed off. Could be wrong but thats what I figured out with my car. Do a test by removing the plastic caps on a set you have resealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolizma Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 I have also noticed that my lenses are perfectly clear when I have the car sat for a long time. But if I then use the car for a day they will fog up. It seems to me that the condensation already exists in the headlight housing and then the heat of the engine evaporates it. If it has nowhere to go it will fog the lens up pretty bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 I will get mine to you shortly when the foot of snow buggers off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Noz I think it is a great idea with that little air pump! Please keep us updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickyBlue Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 So I took one headlight out, stuck it in the oven to completely dry it out and resealed it. Over the week there was a patch of ice stuck to the headlight. I wiped it off and its left condensation in the exact shape the ice was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh42 Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 I’ve seen people over the years little silica gel packets from new shoes, etc? out of interest, are you guys running HID’s or stock bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L337 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 I would happily be a guinea pig for the dehuimidifier project - have glass headlights that condensate constantly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L337 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 12 hours ago, Josh42 said: are you guys running HID’s or stock bulbs? I have LEDs, which I know does not help at all, as they don't get hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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