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> LED Taillights, Custom Made for the 914
a914622
post Jan 30 2013, 05:21 PM
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So Volvo uses a diffuser that looks like a half a magnifying glass between the led and lens. I will try to post some pics. The red leds they use are not all that bright, but stack the assmbaly together and WOW bright brake light. Maybe a diffuser lens / red lad would give you the pop your looking for?


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Spoke
post Jan 30 2013, 10:22 PM
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I'm looking for more powerful LEDs for my next test. Also looking for a red LED for the tail/brake lights. These have to be as bright or brighter than normal brake lights.

These LEDs are not cheap as it looks like the LEDs will cost over $1 a piece.

Time to order the LEDs below.

Red LED

White LED
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montoya 73 2.0
post Jan 30 2013, 11:59 PM
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Have you looked at LumiLEDs?

Philips LumiLEDS

Oznium.com

Piranha Super Flux

All Electronics
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a914622
post Jan 31 2013, 07:33 PM
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The super flux ones look just like the volvo 3rd brake light leds. I think the little dome on the top acts like a focus or diffuser?


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montoya 73 2.0
post Jan 31 2013, 08:00 PM
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My mom worked at LumiLEDS several years ago. She gave me a few of those SuperFlux LED's and they are bright as hell! I believe they are meant for automotive use.
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Spoke
post Feb 1 2013, 11:22 AM
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I checked out the LumiLEDs. They look pretty good. I will get some Amber and White ones.

I found Red LEDs through digikey to be more cost efficient than through Future who carries LumiLEDs.

The plan now is to put red LEDs under the red brake lens and amber under the amber turnsignal lens.

I have orders some more LEDs to try out. I want to make sure that whichever LED is chosen it will be as bright or brighter than the existing bulbs.

Red LED Digikey

Red LED Digikey

Warm White LED Digikey

Cool White LED Digikey

Amber LED Future Electronics

Neutral White LED Future Electronics
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zymurgist
post Feb 1 2013, 02:14 PM
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Thanks for putting this together, Spoke. I bet you will sell a lot of them... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)
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Spoke
post Feb 1 2013, 09:15 PM
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The test I did with 10 LEDs putting out about 40LM each didn't achieve the brightness I am looking for although they were bright as hell.

One item that is designed into all LED lighting is proper lense and/or reflector designed for the LEDs. This is true on all factory-designed LED lights.

So I've been looking into reflectors for LEDs and ran across the following thread on CandlePoweredForum discussing LED brake and tail lights.

I don't know any of these guys nor do I know their backgrounds but they sound quite knowledgeable about automotive lighting and LEDs.

Seems all of the "experts" on this thread indicate that the drop-in LED replacement bulbs are not very good and may even be illegal to replace filament bulbs with LED drop-in's in tail and brake light fixtures in some states.

They bring up good points about brake/tail light modifications and ramifications concerning liability if one is involved in an accident.

CandlePoweredForum Thread

In short, this LED implementation that I am doing could be illegal since it involves modifying a safety feature on an automobile. If I sell this to someone and they have an accident or get pulled over for having illegal lights, would I be liable? Maybe I'd have to state "for off-road applications only".

Here's another thread on LED automotive lighting and lenses.

Photonics Thread
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charliew
post Feb 1 2013, 09:33 PM
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Many years ago I modified a 69 mustang rear tail light lens and found out it needed so much reflector lens to pass tx inspection. I bet if you make a light setup and it's brighter than the original lights it will be good. I would not worry about it on my car but you how lawyers are. Off road only is also ok for me.
I tried those led replacement bulbs in a 86 blazer and they were brighter but didn't last very long for some reason.
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Spoke
post Feb 1 2013, 10:22 PM
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For those thinking about changing to LED bulb replacements, research carefully. This guy tried them on his bike and didn't like the results.

Superbright LED vs Standard 1157 Filament Bulb
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Cairo94507
post Feb 1 2013, 10:50 PM
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I would be perfectly happy for my tail light kit to come with a big sticker on the box that said "FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY". I just really want this project to be a part of my build.
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euro911
post Feb 1 2013, 11:04 PM
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When I was involved with a colleague manufacturing custom cycle chassis, suspensions systems and other components, they were sold with a disclaimer stating "for show use only". Liability insurance quotes were astronomical (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

Lighting systems must meet DOT requirements, but there are numerous aftermarket lighting components on the market, as we all see on the road every day. I'm curious if they have a disclaimer included in their instructions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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Harpo
post Feb 2 2013, 08:21 AM
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Yea, I'm OK with "for off road use only". Anything to keep this project moving forward.

Thanks for running with this.

DAvid
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monkeyboy
post Feb 4 2013, 10:55 AM
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Obviously I would only be using these on my track car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Chris H.
post Feb 5 2013, 11:05 AM
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OK stupid question... how about finding a newer car with an existing LED setup that has a pattern similar to what we need? Could that be used as a starting point and modify/add from there? Too expensive? Maybe an American car that has plenty in the bone yards? I'm a complete novice on this....just popped in my head.
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Bartlett 914
post Feb 5 2013, 05:04 PM
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I like this project and I hope you are able to follow through with it.

I think I would try and locate a light meter. This judging by comparison is not the best idea. Photographers use meters to get the best results. It shouldn't be too difficult to locate a reasonably priced meter.
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Spoke
post Feb 6 2013, 11:57 AM
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QUOTE(Chris H. @ Feb 5 2013, 12:05 PM) *

OK stupid question... how about finding a newer car with an existing LED setup that has a pattern similar to what we need? Could that be used as a starting point and modify/add from there? Too expensive? Maybe an American car that has plenty in the bone yards? I'm a complete novice on this....just popped in my head.



The issue finding a late model car with working LED tail lights is that the tail lights would command a good bit of coin as replacement parts.

I got more LED samples and mounted them on my test board.

I have more powerful white LEDs as well as several red and amber LEDs for brake and turn signals. I will be checking these out over the weekend.



Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
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gothspeed
post Feb 6 2013, 12:30 PM
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Awesome!!! I hope this project comes through, so I can just buy them, instead of making my own (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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Chris H.
post Feb 6 2013, 02:12 PM
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QUOTE(Spoke @ Feb 6 2013, 11:57 AM) *

QUOTE(Chris H. @ Feb 5 2013, 12:05 PM) *

OK stupid question... how about finding a newer car with an existing LED setup that has a pattern similar to what we need? Could that be used as a starting point and modify/add from there? Too expensive? Maybe an American car that has plenty in the bone yards? I'm a complete novice on this....just popped in my head.



The issue finding a late model car with working LED tail lights is that the tail lights would command a good bit of coin as replacement parts.




Ah, got it...see I knew it was a dumb question! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Glad you started this thread before I bought LED bulbs...was just about to pull the trigger. I'm in for sure on these.
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Spoke
post Feb 8 2013, 10:32 AM
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The more I see LEDs on vehicles the more I'm convinced I will need some type of reflector to channel the light. Here's one I found online that looks like it would work.

Wholesale LED Reflector
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