LED Taillights, Custom Made for the 914 Options

[Spoke]

I've wanted to convert my 914 taillights to LED for a while but never got around to it.

Finally I started working on the design of the taillights. This will be a single custom PCB for each side and will have all the LEDs and control circuits on it. One PCB will be used for both sides.

The plan is to remove the existing plastic reflector and bulb assembly and mount a custom board in its place. With proper standoffs, I should be able to mount the board using the same 2 screw holes that secure the reflector.

I'm trying to decide now how many LEDs to use for each purpose. Right now, I have 8 LEDs for the backup lights, 20 LEDs for the running/Brake lights, 24 LEDs for the turnsignals, and 4 LEDs for the side marker.

I've been observing modern cars with LED taillights and some use a few LEDs (like 8) and some a lot (+20).

I would like your opinions on how many LEDs you think would be good to use. On the board below, the LEDs are spaced about 0.7 inches apart. These will be medium brightness white LEDs. (I'll let the lenses provide the color).

The first cut at the board is shown below for the driver's side. The side marker LEDs will be right angle LEDs pointing out the side of the board. They can be seen on the extreme left side of the board.

If these work out, I could manufacture them for World members. One thing though, they won't be cheap. The LEDs are about $0.50 through Digikey and there are more than 55 LEDs on each right now. Plus there's 2 dc-dc converters for providing constant current for the tail/brake and turnsignal LEDs.

Cheers
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[Tilly74]

If you're upgrading to LED's (or not, they work with regular bulbs too), you might consider a "back off light" or "taillight flasher". I know many people are concerned with getting rear-ended and protecting their precious teeners. This is usually one of the first mods I do to any motorcycle I ride regularly. The manufacturers advertise something like a 40% reduction in rear end accidents on motorcycles. Also, many newer ambulances feature a similar technology for safety reasons. If anybody wants more info on these I have a large variety of models I can order from at a decent discount as well.

This video is one of the better examples I can find. Most videos look wrong because of frame rates on the cameras. Some modules allow you to fine tune the flash rate, number of flashes, and even integrate turn signals.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e368R4ttjCE

[Nürburg Nomad]

If you're upgrading to LED's (or not, they work with regular bulbs too), you might consider a "back off light" or "taillight flasher". I know many people are concerned with getting rear-ended and protecting their precious teeners. This is usually one of the first mods I do to any motorcycle I ride regularly. The manufacturers advertise something like a 40% reduction in rear end accidents on motorcycles. Also, many newer ambulances feature a similar technology for safety reasons. If anybody wants more info on these I have a large variety of models I can order from at a decent discount as well.

This video is one of the better examples I can find. Most videos look wrong because of frame rates on the cameras. Some modules allow you to fine tune the flash rate, number of flashes, and even integrate turn signals.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e368R4ttjCE

Agreed, I can vouch for the effectiveness of the "Back-Off XP" which I installed on my 914 shortly after I obtained the car a few years ago. Vehicles give me a measurable increase in following distance under braking, which started as soon as I wired in the weather proof module inside the car behind the center of the backpad. If I understand correctly the "Back-Off XP" is the original/best unit that most motorcyclists use? My LED 3rd brake light will utilize the 5-flashes before steady illumination function too once I have it installed. The flashing is certainly more effective with LED taillights so I look forward to see what sort of 914-specific LED taillights develop in the coming year?

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Signal-Dynamics-Brak...4/dp/B001F85OUM