My D.I.Y Led Tail Lights

[Andrew2020]

Hello I have been a bit of a creeper here for about a year or so. I received quite a bit of useful information, so i figured I would give a little back.
I made LED tail lights about a year ago. I heated my tail light dishes in the oven and heated up the glue and took them apart. I got blank PCB board and basically soldered them on. The one mistake that many people make when they try to make this mod is the type of LED's they use. There is only one type of led you should be using. They were pricy about 1$ a peice with shipping to Calgary Canada.( I know this based on having to redo them) I used 70mW Superflux Leds from www.digikey.com. This is the link in case anyone wants to know. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=160-1511-ND I soldered 25 on each side. For the Running light and Brake light I used a resistor(A badass one) Make sure you measure your voltage correctly and make your array accordingly. 1/100th of a volt matters with LED's. If you do this correctly they will never burn out. This mod has saved me from at least one rear end collision. I know this is not in depth in information because I built them so long ago. But I know it works LONG TERM. In the pictures those are running lights. The Brake lights are about 4-5 times as bright. Like burn a hole in your vision when I step on the brake. If you live in Calgary you probably seen me around. If anyone is interested Ill make a youtube video and maybe better photos.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Looks good! thanks for the info!

 

[Ryannn]

You should do a detailed write up and submit it to the tech section!!

 

[Northern]

Very nice job, Im impressed.
Its nice to see you used a 100* LED, If it was a LTL-912VEKSA it would have been a 50*.
but why a 1200 Millicandela, you could have gone to a 20000 Millicandela and be much brighter while using less draw.

Sense you had 25 LEDs you use a 5 x 5 array, did you use just resistors or did you also use any regulators? Capacitors? NPN Transistors?

Why a red LED and not white? Sorta defeated the purpose of having a red LED and a red lens.

* Not picking, just wondering...
Just some thoughts for the future from some one that does Custom LED lights for a 2nd job.

 

[straycat]

Not bad for DIY work, Bro.

 

[Tominator]

Why a red LED and not white? Sorta defeated the purpose of having a red LED and a red lens.

I can answer that one. If you use white a LED behind a red lens it will be pink with a red halo. The effect depends on the brightness of the LED. Red behind red gets........well need I say it?....RED!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Yup, a LED will light better if the lens is of the same color.