homade led tails (sneak peak)

[Robznob11]

Hey guys, just finished this one to night. I still need to finish the other side and the reverse lights. But here is a sneak peak. I have red leds to go around the edge of the reverse lights. the plan is to have a full out line and the center of the bottom portion lights up with brakes. the center of the top portion will stay white for reverse and the red ring on top will double as the blinker light. this is time consuming but hopefully I will have the final product up for you to see with in a week!

[Robznob11]

one more the pic makes it hard to tell but they are dimmer when its just the ring and all get brighter when you mash the brake!

[74baggedbug]

Nice!!

[tommys72]

Pretty slick

[87Skier]

You should post a parts list and schematic for those of us too lazy (or too dumb) to come up with something like this!

[bigguy69]

Sweet

[snipescastle2]

Sweet! Ditto on schematics and parts lists!!!
Ben

[Robznob11]

Here's a quick one

[Robznob11]

I got the white leds from victory rush (ebay) I also got some red ones for the top lights I will show when they are done. The red ones came from lighthouse electronics (ebay) both are USA and offer the brightest leds the lighthouse ones are twice the price. I ordered about 40$ worth of stuff but have a lot left over.You can cut the wire off of some of the resistors to link leds together.

[Husker]

Nice lights, Thanks for list and diagram.
Ron

[87Skier]

A little curious about your schematic...

Why did you choose to go with only resistors instead of FETs or transistors?

- also -

How did you figure your resistors?

I think you might be better suited to run 3 LEDs, per string, in 4 strings. With the input diode I think the circuit needs about 13.1 volts at minimum to run well. At 3 LEDs you only need about 10 volts. The downside is that you would need different resistors, but you should get more consistent operation.

If you get 13 volts at your tail lights then the resistors would need to be 150 ohms (figuring the 0.7 volt drop on the input diode, and 3.1 volt drop for each of the 3 diodes). The resistors can still be 1/8 watt. The only reason that I point this out is that your LEDs might be a lot brighter this way.

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

A little curious about your schematic...

Why did you choose to go with only resistors instead of FETs or transistors?

- also -

How did you figure your resistors?

I think you might be better suited to run 3 LEDs, per string, in 4 strings. With the input diode I think the circuit needs about 13.1 volts at minimum to run well. At 3 LEDs you only need about 10 volts. The downside is that you would need different resistors, but you should get more consistent operation.

If you get 13 volts at your tail lights then the resistors would need to be 150 ohms (figuring the 0.7 volt drop on the input diode, and 3.1 volt drop for each of the 3 diodes). The resistors can still be 1/8 watt. The only reason that I point this out is that your LEDs might be a lot brighter this way.

Let me start by saying I'm no pro at electronics . I know enough to be dangerous, and fix most broken stuff. I chose resistors because they are cheap and simple to use. 2.50$ for 100. I used a led calculator for my values. My truck has a after market wiring harnesses and ls swap so I figured them on 14.7 v not 12 like some people do. I know I could have used 1/8 w resistors but they are smaller and more prone to get hot and burn up. As for the diodes and large resistors I went with 3 w just because I like over kill. My circuit should not go over 2 w max likely run at 1 w full power. Resistors get hot during operation. Ie larger resistors less heat. They may' be a little brighter the other way but they are plenty bright now. I took theses pics with my I phone because my camera just showed a blur of light. Ie the pic showed the concept . But does notd do justice for the actual output. The blow stockers away and anyone can source the parts and build themcheap !

[87Skier]

Resistors are the cheapest and easiest way to go most of the time. I also agree on the 1/8 watt resistors. I don't use them for much, just pull up/down resistors on FETs and transistors. Any power stuff I go with 1/4 watt and up. That 3 watt resistor could get pretty hot! I have some 2 watt resistors laying around that I was using for something (can't remember what) but even around 1 watt they were getting too hot to handle. Just keep an eye on them so you don't melt anything.

I might start something like this soon. I was thinking about running two different sets of LEDs. Possibly with the outside being running lights and inside being brake and turn. I'm not sure yet though. I have too many little projects going on right now.

Please post pics when you get them installed!

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

Resistors are the cheapest and easiest way to go most of the time. I also agree on the 1/8 watt resistors. I don't use them for much, just pull up/down resistors on FETs and transistors. Any power stuff I go with 1/4 watt and up. That 3 watt resistor could get pretty hot! I have some 2 watt resistors laying around that I was using for something (can't remember what) but even around 1 watt they were getting too hot to handle. Just keep an eye on them so you don't melt anything.

I might start something like this soon. I was thinking about running two different sets of LEDs. Possibly with the outside being running lights and inside being brake and turn. I'm not sure yet though. I have too many little projects going on right now.

Please post pics when you get them installed!

I'm not sure we are thinking on the same lines. Yes 3 watts can get hotter if you are pulling them to that limit but if you go bigger than what you are truly pulling that would mean they are likely not going to get hot at all. They don't make 3 watts they handle up to 3 watts. I could be wrong in this thinking but I always thought it worked kinda like a fuse that resist power. They cut the volts down but smaller ones handle less current passing through them.

[87Skier]

You are absolutely correct on the way resistors work. They limit current. I was merely eluding to the fact that no matter what resistor you choose the dissipated power goes somewhere. I really doubt you will see any issues.

[BlackedOut67shorty]

Those are deffinatly sweet!!

[Redline novdog]

Looking good!!! Thanks for the crash electronics coarse. I don't know enough,so very dangerous LOL.
Is the intent to have the lens hold the pc board in place or are going to attach it directly to the lens?

[Andy4639]

This is another thread on them. These where built by Justin on here but he sold them through ECP.

Robznob11 it would be nice to have a guy building them to sell on here again because I think Justin isn't responding to anyones PM's.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=524269

[clemsonteg]

How did you wire the input power to light up the outside for park and the entire thing for brakes? I keep thinking about it, but can't come up with a way to do it without all of them being on all the time with the park lights

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by clemsonteg

How did you wire the input power to light up the outside for park and the entire thing for brakes? I keep thinking about it, but can't come up with a way to do it without all of them being on all the time with the park lights

Here you go sir!
The 120 ohm is for my particular leds of 4 per series. Yours my differ with different leds. That where the calculator comes in but the rest would remain the same

[clemsonteg]

Originally Posted by Robznob11

Here you go sir!

Thanks. That is helpful! I thought the diode may be acting as a stop for backwards flow

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by clemsonteg

Thanks. That is helpful! Does the diode keep the power from back feeding the brake only circuit when the park lights are on with no brakes?

That is correct sir!

[72SWBChevy]

Very nice job! And cool!

[Robznob11]

Update. I was trying to finish out the reverse lights today and hit a stump.Come to find out the red super flux piranhas I got from lighthouse leds are reverse polarity. Not a big deal if you haven't soldered everything together already😡

[Robznob11]

ok guys this is the finished tails. If I had to do it again I would pay the extra to do all red leds for that deeper red color. But I still think they look great .Hope y'all like them.😅 pardon my fumbling in the video. Felt like all thumbs.




Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/rkGDp3ln8OM