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LED running lights and third brake light projects

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Old 10-13-2011
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LED running lights and third brake light projects

So I was having issues with current feed back with the blinker mod paired with my signal mirrors, so I decided to isolate the signal and the running light. So I installed some plug in LED in the stock location and made them dedicated to the turn signal, and installed some LEDs in the corner lights to use as running lights.

Here's what it all looks like installed







here is the running lights during the day.





and with the blinker on



my next project, LED third brake light.

started with a perfectly good superduty third brake light





and cut it to pieces...



this is to be contiued, I have my boards cut and planning to do a lot of soldering tomorrow... stay tuned.
 
Attached Thumbnails LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070726.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-1008111418.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-1008111417.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070728.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070727.jpg  

LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070735.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070721.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070723.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070724.jpg  

Last edited by mikerider; 10-13-2011 at 08:00 PM.
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Old 10-13-2011
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Looks good... post up some night pics!
 
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Old 10-13-2011
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Originally Posted by FULLSCALE
Looks good... post up some night pics!
ask and you will receive...

running lights





signal

 
Attached Thumbnails LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070745.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070746.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070747.jpg  
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Old 10-13-2011
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Looks good!
 
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Old 10-13-2011
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is that a classic silverstar turn signal i see? Cant find them things anyplace
 
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Old 10-13-2011
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Thats super nice. I need this like I need another drank! lol
 
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Old 10-13-2011
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Originally Posted by 04RangerDave
is that a classic silverstar turn signal i see? Cant find them things anyplace
yep, I love them they have a great color to them I bought them years ago.
 
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Old 10-14-2011
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Originally Posted by mikerider
yep, I love them they have a great color to them I bought them years ago.
i wish they still sold them. They have a nice deep deep amber to them. and the purple/blue/chrome/amber reflection is nice when they are off.
 
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Old 10-14-2011
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Looks good. I bet they are super bright in person.
 
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Old 10-14-2011
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From the side the LEDs you installed have to shine at the reflector, which really isn't supposed to transmit light through it. This is why I used an aftermarket clear light with no reflector. You can also put these on a PCB that fits directly in the pit of the lamp.


 
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Old 10-14-2011
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Originally Posted by Jp7
From the side the LEDs you installed have to shine at the reflector, which really isn't supposed to transmit light through it. This is why I used an aftermarket clear light with no reflector. You can also put these on a PCB that fits directly in the pit of the lamp.
Actually the reflector works to scatter the light around the corner and
illuminate the entire light instead of just having 6 points of light. I would do PCB but they are way to expensive and time consuming for my need. This whole project cost under $10.
 
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Old 10-14-2011
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Originally Posted by mikerider
Actually the reflector works to scatter the light around the corner and
illuminate the entire light instead of just having 6 points of light. I would do PCB but they are way to expensive and time consuming for my need. This whole project cost under $10.
My tail lights have LEDs underneath the reflector and I can only see light from then underneath when I look at them from the side. The way I set these up was so that only the outer ring would be exposed from the outside of the reflector:



You can see better what I mean with the reflectors off


Running lights (just the outer ring provided voltage, 9.17V)


brake lights (all red LEDs supplied 12V)


I didn't get any photos through an angle. Next time I may question the value add of putting them behind the reflectors though.
 
Attached Thumbnails LED running lights and third brake light projects-dscf2694.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-66397ec5.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-faf5fe17.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-8966f4a4.jpg  
  #13  
Old 10-14-2011
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Originally Posted by Jp7
My tail lights have LEDs underneath the reflector and I can only see light from then underneath when I look at them from the side. The way I set these up was so that only the outer ring would be exposed from the outside of the reflector:

.
With LEDs being directional in nature they appear more intense head on. The reflector is still a good thing though as light scattering will help with other angle brightness but not be as intense head on.

Thats part of the fun with LEDs there is no set way of doing thing, thats why I mod its fun to try different things
 
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Old 10-16-2011
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Update!

got the third brake light mostly done and tested. turned out pretty good the thing is plenty bright.

old vs new



here is the cargo lights



and the brake light



also got my LED OHC light installed from buggman, its a great product and I am very happy with it.

 
Attached Thumbnails LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070757.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070760.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070762.jpg   LED running lights and third brake light projects-p1070765.jpg  
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Old 10-17-2011
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Looks good... Wish I could figure out PCB's I would use those.
 
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Old 10-24-2011
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finished up the last part of my brake light and condensed my voltage regulators and added bigger heat sinks.

I now have turn signals, cargo light and brake in my third brake light! Heres video of the whole set up in action.

 
Attached Thumbnails LED running lights and third brake light projects-th_1024112001.jpg  
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