MULTIPLE SELECTION POLL - CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
OK guys as I stated before (if you have been watching my other thread) I have been thinking about becoming a vendor on here for LED lighting. While the options are endless in LEDs I would be focusing mainly on the front turn signals, Rear tail lights, and possibly marker lights in fenders. This is obviously just to start with as Ive done PLENTY of other LEDs but am a one man show as of now.
A little history on my abilities. I started messing with LEDs and circuitry surrounding it about 3 years ago. I have since built a reputation within the Duramax community as the "go to" guy for all things LEDs and HIDs. I have done LED components in all switches and dash pieces of my 2001 Silverado HD. It was a learning experience as no one had done this that I knew of. With a few trial and errors I've had them in there for over 3 years now without any problems.
Since then I have spent countless hours studying and building new LED arrays just to find the ins and outs of the LEDs. While LEDs seem easy to do it is just like anything else and is harder than it seems. For instance while I was doing the recent front turn signals on my 1985 K20 I learned that using the resistor the calculator tell you to use is not always making it run at optimal voltage. I used the calculator computed value and was off on volts in the series by .55 volts. While this does not seem much it is HUGE in LEDs running on DC volts. My LEDs were speced at 2.4v typical meaning that is where they usually should run and also with a max of 3v. I like to keep mine just shy of typical as to take in consideration of any spikes in the charging system. I kept playing with the resistors until I was where I wanted to be which was 2.2v. Things like this are going to happen and you must plan for them. I test ALL of my LED circuits for forward voltage so I know they are running within a reasonable range of volts so there is NO failure. This leads me to MOST aftermarket LEDs.
Most aftermarket LEDs are cheap over seas made components. They are usually based off of 12v operating systems and not the actual 14.3-14.6 volts that vehicles most often operate at. This is return leads to premature failure. This was a big reason why I started doing these myself. I was tired of paying top dollar for some crap that wouldnt last six months and was not as bright as claimed. I still find this in base type bulbs. Fact is you will NEVER find a base type bulb that is brighter than a standard halogen. It CAN be done but you wont find it. A standard 1156 bulb is ~403 lumens. You will not even come CLOSE to that with an aftermarket LED bulb not to mention good look trying to get the specs from any retailer as they themselves dont even know. Trust me Ive tried a million times. I could go on forever with this but this is not the point of this post
Heres what I was thinking about doing. I would like for you to participate in this poll and let me know where you stand as far as if anyone would purchase some LED lights. I use quality LED that I have been using for years. The company I buy from is Super Bright Leds. Im sure some of you have heard of them. I buy component LEDs and make the rest from scratch.
For instance on the turn signals of mine I separated the lens from the housing and build from there. There would be options on these as far as the background colors and such. When completed EVERYTHING is tested (forward voltage across EVERY LED also) properly and sealed weather tight with a simple hookup.
Pricing so far is the only thing I am working out. This price would include new housings also. While the price of good quality materials is high I also need to make a dollar too as I would have at least 4 hours in building a set of these....thats on a good day probably. So with that said I could only give a close estimate of pricing for these turn signals. I am confident other models will be in the same ballpark and possibly even cheaper. I have not done other models yet but am willing to offer intro pricing on them for the first sets of each. All of the technology is the same so I have no reservations about the quality. Just need to do the layout which is usually easy.
So for the single headlight systems like mine the price would be in the $249.99 range plus shipping. While I know this may seem high it includes brand new housings also...OEM. It is not all that high on my end when you see all the material costs and such
So as this progresses I would LOVE to venture into new areas with LEDs. I also can put together some good HID kits with housings also. I have plenty of experience in these fields and here are some photos to back it up.
1985 K20 Front Turn Signal Lights (parking lights in pic). Turn signals brighter
1985 K20 Front Turn Signal Lights (at night and parking light)(not in truck fully yet...test pic)
2001 Silverado HD Footwell LED Lighting
2001 Silverado HD Interior Lighting
2001 Silverado HD Door Panel Switch LED Lighting
2001 Silverado HD Dash LED Lighting
All LED fixture I would make would have a warranty. I am just as leery as the next person on stuff like this so it would only seem fitting. As for how long and all of that I still have to figure it all out. It wont be measly by any means. I want to satisfy every person and thats my goal. All I need to know now is if there is any interest in LED lighting before I go on and become a vendor here. If not then I just wasted an hour making this post
Soon to come - LED Tailights w/ reverse LEDs (Early Jan. 2011)(Better than LMC's)
LED Plow Marker Lights
LED Interior
LED Dash (already been done Ive seen)