FESP Pertron Value Card

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In 2017, Ford EcoSport Philippines (FESP) has entered into a partnership with Petron, entitling its club members of exclusive perks and privileges. FESP members can avail of an exclusive FESP Petron Value Card (with FESP logo), enabling the holder to earn extra points not available in ordinary Petron value cards. This card was issued to me last year when I became an official club member, but it was only recently that was able to get it.

For inquiries about FESP or this exclusive Petron value card, click here.

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

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Comparing LEDs with Halogen Headlights

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One of the simplest and most cost-effective upgrades to an EcoSport’s headlight would be the replacement of the stock bulb with an LED emitter (some refer to this as “LED bulb” but technically, it is not a “bulb”, but rather, an “emitter”). About a year ago, I’ve upgraded our headlights to an LED, and performed a comparison with the stock halogen bulb.

LED vs Stock Halogen Low Beam (2)
Stock halogen (left) versus LED emitter (right) in low beam
LED vs Stock Halogen (Hi-Beam)
Stock halogen (left) versus LED emitter (right) in high beam

Clearly, LED emitters illuminate the road far better than stock bulbs. Always install LEDs properly by directing the low beam to the ground, to avoid causing glare to oncoming vehicles.

LED-headlights.png

To watch a video on how I replaced the stock halogen bulbs with a pair of hi-performance LED emitters, head to Installing LED Headlights.

To view the reviews of other EcoSport-related accessories, click here.

Related links:
OSRAM Night Breaker Laser
Replacing the Headlights
Adjusting EcoSport’s Headlights
Installing Auxiliary Headlights
Yellow Headlight Bulb

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport © Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Yellow H4 Headlight Bulb

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Before I upgraded to a hi-performance headlight bulb, I also tried out this pair of EUROLITE Amber (Yellow) H4 bulbs I purchased at a local hardware store. This is essentially a low-cost halogen bulb coated with thin yellow filter. I have used this lamp during two recent 12-hour night-time trips to Bicol. These amber headlight bulbs are good enough for well-lit city streets, but a little too dim for poorly-lit zigzag roads, especially for our heavily-tinted EcoSport.

Yellow H4 Headlight Bulb

I only paid 300 pesos for the pair (in contrast to 2700 per pair of hi-performance bulbs), so I did not expect much from it.

To watch a test video showing a comparison between the stock headlight and this yellow bulb both in hi and low beams, head directly to Yellow Headlight Bulb (H4). To view the reviews of other EcoSport-related accessories, click here.

Related links:
Osram Night Breaker Laser
Installing LED Headlights
Replacing Headlight Bulb

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Contact with Radio Enthusiasts in Bicol

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It is always exciting to establish contact with fellow radio enthusiast especially if those contacts are from your home province. In a recent trip to Bicol, I was able to get in touch with a number of amateur radio enthusiasts in Camarines Norte, from the group CANORA (Dx4CN, 144.720 MHz, Camarines Norte Radio Amateurs, Inc.). Not only that I was given a warm-welcome-on-the-air, I was also given access to their repeater, which pretty much covers the whole of Bicol region!

I was also able to get in touch with the Kabalikat group in Camarines Norte.

IMG_7645
A landmark in Daet, popular among radio enthusiasts

To view all posts related to my amateur radio adventures, head directly to Amateur Radio.  To watch the video on how I installed a two-way radio on my EcoSport, head directly to Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced).

Related links:
EcoSport 200-km Range Mobile Setup
DIY Motorized Antenna Mount
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Basic)
Testing the Range of my Two-Way Radio 
Stock Antenna Modification

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

200-km Range Two-Way Radio in an EcoSport

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In October 2018, I’ve performed a series of tests to determine if it is possible to get in touch with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts 200 km away, using only the equipment I installed in our EcoSport. Though the signal was very weak and almost unreadable, I was able to establish contact with stations in Baguio, while the vehicle is in a favorable location—cruising along the NAIA X elevated highway in Pasay! The straight-line distance covered, which is the radio’s effective range, is approximately 210 km. Baguio’s elevation of 1540 m coupled with good propagation, and my station’s vicinity to a body of water (Manila Bay) have likely contributed to the extended range of the radio.

 

210 km manila baguio 2

To watch the video on how I installed a two-way radio on my EcoSport, head directly to Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced).

Related links:
DIY Motorized Antenna Mount
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Basic)
Testing the Range of my Two-Way Radio 
Stock Antenna Modification

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Removing EcoSport’s Headlight Assembly

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In a recent modification, I had to remove the headlight assembly to gain access to the stock horn.

To watch the video on how I removed the headlight assembly, head to Removing EcoSport’s Headlight Assembly.

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Installing a Hi-Powered Horn

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I have recently stumbled upon a surplus Maruko horn (low tone only) which I installed in our EcoSport. Horns are supposed to come in pairs but I was unable to find the high tone horn that pairs up with this one. Powerful horns such as the Maruko draw about 4 amperes, thus, the installation requires the use of a relay and a new wiring harness. In the video, I have explained not only how to mount the horn, but also how to wire it with the relay.

Maruko Horn (1)

To watch how I installed a hi-powered horn in an EcoSport, head directly to Installing a Hi-Powered Electric Horn.

To view the reviews of other EcoSport-related accessories, click here.

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)