[wmuncaster]

Hi all,

I recently installed the BMW Performance front bumper on my LCI e90. As you know, the performance bumper doesn't have provision for fog lamp housings. In lieu of a factory fog arrangement, I'm going to hide some high-powered LED light bars inside the outer cooling duct openings.

In order to run the LED bars, I know I'll need a CANBUS decoder. The market seems to be flooded with cheap devices of questionable integrity.

Does anyone have CANBUS decoders that they like, that don't seem like a major fire hazard?

By nature, the decoders should get hot, so the designs that have external heat sinks make sense. However, it seems like they're the cheap ones. Should I be worried about a decoder that's just wires in and out of a plastic case?

[lucasmiller2015]

Originally Posted by wmuncaster

Hi all,

I recently installed the BMW Performance front bumper on my LCI e90. As you know, the performance bumper doesn't have provision for fog lamp housings. In lieu of a factory fog arrangement, I'm going to hide some high-powered LED light bars inside the outer cooling duct openings.

In order to run the LED bars, I know I'll need a CANBUS decoder. The market seems to be flooded with cheap devices of questionable integrity.

Does anyone have CANBUS decoders that they like, that don't seem like a major fire hazard?

By nature, the decoders should get hot, so the designs that have external heat sinks make sense. However, it seems like they're the cheap ones. Should I be worried about a decoder that's just wires in and out of a plastic case?

It's way better/easier to just disable the warm/cold bulb checks in the FRM module.

[wmuncaster]

Originally Posted by lucasmiller2015

It's way better/easier to just disable the warm/cold bulb checks in the FRM module.

I'd agree, but I don't want to disable ALL of the bulb checks (want to keep tail lights, specifically) and don't think there's a way to disable the fog bulb checks selectively.

I also want to keep the factory harness intact with the H8 connectors, so I need H8 connector whips to tie-in to the LED's at a minimum anyway.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by wmuncaster

I'd agree, but I don't want to disable ALL of the bulb checks (want to keep tail lights, specifically) and don't think there's a way to disable the fog bulb checks selectively.

I also want to keep the factory harness intact with the H8 connectors, so I need H8 connector whips to tie-in to the LED's at a minimum anyway.

Through coding you can disable specific areas of the lights, Angel Eyes, Fog Lights, Brake Lights, ETC ETC. There are both warm and cold checks for each of them. If you need assistance we do offer a remote service.