LED Lighting for 73-87 Trucks

[496 BB]

Just wrapping up some final R&D on these. Everything is coming together really nice. These LEDs should last a LONG while and Im SURE no aftermarket company has put this much thought into the process. These things are precise all the way down the what each LED is running in mA (milliamps).

I do need some input from several of you regarding the final step in the design of the circuitry. If any of you live in warmer climates or are feeling brave enough to go outside in the cold I need to get some volt readings.

What I need is for you to take out the turn signal light bulb from the socket and check the volts coming across the little pin inside with the parking lights on and truck engine off. Also do this with the truck running and note that number also. If you have a helper have them slightly give it gas (1500 rpm+) to see if the volts raise. You can ground the volt meter probe anywhere on core support or whatever but there on the side of the socket is a black wire and that is the sockets ground. Usually it is a pain to get out so just ground it elsewhere.

What Im trying to do here is compare my output voltage (with 140A alternator) to what a typical output voltage is with a OEM alternator. If the volts vary too much IMO there would be inconsistency issues with light output. While Im doubting anyone will be running higher volts than mine (14.3-6V) if the volts are lower on most trucks the LEDs would not be over driven but could not be working at their peak performance. It would have no ill effects at all on the longevity of the LED itself but could be brighter.

So if the volts are varying I will be installing a voltage regulator on all assemblies in order to have a constant stable input power source but if everyone is up around 14v there should be no need for it.

Again I appreciate the help and let me know what your volts are

Thanks,

Chris

[tmscott77]

I see that this is quite an old thread, but has anything been done lately on this subject? I have an 84 K30 that I eventually want to convert to all LED. Markers, roof and tailgate, front and rear, and even the dash and license plate lights, if I can. I am looking to purchase an entire replacement set of lenses, and I'm thinking that would be the perfect time to get them converted. I have been searching for a while for a good LED tail light w/ reverse lights too, and I found them through a place called "custom classics," and the page is still there to purchase said lights, but their main site has a very ominous message saying that they no longer accept calls/e-mails, and that the website is for sale. I am apprehensive, at the very least, to spend ~170 dollars on something that I may never receive. Too bad too, because they are exactly what I have been looking for, but I digress. So, if anyone has jumped the shark to all LED on a square body...please, let me know, or post pics. I am highly motivated to make the conversion. Thanks!

[andrewmp6]

For the tail lights none offer the reverse light anymore,But look at http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx or http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd563.htm

[496 BB]

Wow this is old....lol.

I still got mine going. Never pursued this much after this was created. Had a few people that I helped do their own way back. Its not really hard to do. I think the main problem these days are the actual LEDs suck unless you go with say a brand like Cree or something else. Not sure people want to spend that money though. If you email me I can tell you how to do it or give you info. I dont plan on selling any. Im not 100% confident in the led bulbs themselves these days. Im not selling nothing I cant warranty. I have been thinking of another way of doing these lately. Just havent had time to do it. Too busy plowing...lol.

[Axle]

So if the volts are varying I will be installing a voltage regulator on all assemblies in order to have a constant stable input power source but if everyone is up around 14v there should be no need for it.

Do you have a regulator for your tail/brake lighting? While voltage may be stable, you want the mission critical items to survive an alternator failure (ie: bad diode, causing a fluctating 18-20 volts on the system).

Alex.

[496 BB]

No on this current setup I do not. Ive blown 4 alternators alone this season plowing and not had any probs. I didnt do my tail lights though. Just front turns.

[meatwagon83]

ihave always wanted to do this on my truck too, turns tails clearance lights, got any advice?

[496 BB]

info@cokbr.com

[Axle]

Posting this for general information purposes for anyone considering making their own lights, moreso for brake and tail, other lighting isn't going to bite you should it fail. There are a lot of manufacturers for regulating modules, that just leaves finding the best one for your needs. If you are running multiple led's, the conventional regulators you make out of discrete components are too ineffient, and theres the fact that the modules can be had for reasonable costs these days. (Being lazy, I decided to redneck some trailer led modules into my tail light housings, anything else I've done has been the same approach as 496BB).

http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/t...e-applications

http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/t...utomotive-leds


Alex.