Project: '99-spec style LED tail lights
02-17-10, 12:41 PM
#77
Mind if I throw my 2 cents in?
I always thought LED tails were a cool idea, especially the direction you are going with them, but my biggest personal complaint with all the kits/services that were out there is, regardless of how they were done, you always saw the LED seperation. There was no smooth 'ring of light' per se...
Something I haven't seen anyone do yet is borrow the concept from 'angel eyes' and implement them into tails. There is a plethera of writeups online on how to make your own rings and lighting elements with LEDS. And the best part? The rings can be sized accordingly for 99 spec lights (brake rings slightly larger then turn rings) and only take 1 or 2 LEDS as apposed to a full boards worth
Thoughts?
I always thought LED tails were a cool idea, especially the direction you are going with them, but my biggest personal complaint with all the kits/services that were out there is, regardless of how they were done, you always saw the LED seperation. There was no smooth 'ring of light' per se...
Something I haven't seen anyone do yet is borrow the concept from 'angel eyes' and implement them into tails. There is a plethera of writeups online on how to make your own rings and lighting elements with LEDS. And the best part? The rings can be sized accordingly for 99 spec lights (brake rings slightly larger then turn rings) and only take 1 or 2 LEDS as apposed to a full boards worth
Thoughts?
Last edited by gracer7-rx7; 02-17-10 at 12:43 PM.
02-17-10, 04:19 PM
#79
I won't let go
02-17-10, 09:46 PM
#80
Mind if I throw my 2 cents in?
I always thought LED tails were a cool idea, especially the direction you are going with them, but my biggest personal complaint with all the kits/services that were out there is, regardless of how they were done, you always saw the LED seperation. There was no smooth 'ring of light' per se...
Something I haven't seen anyone do yet is borrow the concept from 'angel eyes' and implement them into tails. There is a plethera of writeups online on how to make your own rings and lighting elements with LEDS. And the best part? The rings can be sized accordingly for 99 spec lights (brake rings slightly larger then turn rings) and only take 1 or 2 LEDS as apposed to a full boards worth
Thoughts?
I always thought LED tails were a cool idea, especially the direction you are going with them, but my biggest personal complaint with all the kits/services that were out there is, regardless of how they were done, you always saw the LED seperation. There was no smooth 'ring of light' per se...
Something I haven't seen anyone do yet is borrow the concept from 'angel eyes' and implement them into tails. There is a plethera of writeups online on how to make your own rings and lighting elements with LEDS. And the best part? The rings can be sized accordingly for 99 spec lights (brake rings slightly larger then turn rings) and only take 1 or 2 LEDS as apposed to a full boards worth
Thoughts?
anyway here's some progress. unfortunately i can't find our iron, so i can't make the PCB's tonight.
i did, however, finish redesigning the PCB layouts. i realized that i could get away with far less resistors by wiring up groups of 6-LEDs in series - this mean's i only need ONE resistor for the extra 4 LED's left over (the rings use 64 LED's total).
the inner and outer rings are still independently connected so that means if i want i can have one ring light up all the time and the other come on with the brakes (might be cool...?)
i also decided to pick up some 12v fixed-voltage regulators:
just to test the brightness, i took 6 LEDs and connected them in a series, hooked up to a 12v power source...it was pretty bright. the angle could definitely be wider, but i think i actually might like the effect.
depending on the results of my first prototype, i may make a second version using the surface mount LEDs that David suggested.
hopefully i can find an iron tomorrow so i can make these PCBs!
02-18-10, 06:49 AM
#83
I like what Theorie is doing better - much better.
On another note, now that I see your design and the work involved, I know why I changed my major at Auburn from engineering to the business school!
Regarding the viewing angle on the LEDs, you can still try some wide angle ones in addition to the SMTs to see what works best. I would think once you've got a working design down, trying a few options would be the way to go. And Radio Shack lists the wide angle LEDs as ones they carry in stock.
02-18-10, 03:11 PM
#86
On another note, now that I see your design and the work involved, I know why I changed my major at Auburn from engineering to the business school!
Regarding the viewing angle on the LEDs, you can still try some wide angle ones in addition to the SMTs to see what works best. I would think once you've got a working design down, trying a few options would be the way to go. And Radio Shack lists the wide angle LEDs as ones they carry in stock.
Regarding the viewing angle on the LEDs, you can still try some wide angle ones in addition to the SMTs to see what works best. I would think once you've got a working design down, trying a few options would be the way to go. And Radio Shack lists the wide angle LEDs as ones they carry in stock.
02-28-10, 01:25 PM
#91
ok so i guess i'll update.
i still have yet to make the PCB boards as i have been busy out of my mind with work and grad classes...
however i actually came up with a new "plan b" design that uses surface mount led's and a top-secret element that will help eliminate the light gap between the diodes. the "plan b" design will still feature two independently controlled led rings and should produce the same style/effect that i'm going for.
i've also figured out a super easy way to wire up everything by tapping into the stock tail light bulb harnesses. the setup will still allow you to remove the light housings as needed because the wiring will be completely disconnectable. also, this method will allow you to change the style whenever you want just by switching connectors. this means you can have the lights light up like stock 99 circles, or you can have the rings only, or you can have one ring on with the other ring w/ brakes, etc, etc.
i'm flying down to FL on march 13th so i want to have at least one of my prototypes completed before then. hopefully i can unveil the results then, if not sooner.
i still have yet to make the PCB boards as i have been busy out of my mind with work and grad classes...
however i actually came up with a new "plan b" design that uses surface mount led's and a top-secret element that will help eliminate the light gap between the diodes. the "plan b" design will still feature two independently controlled led rings and should produce the same style/effect that i'm going for.
i've also figured out a super easy way to wire up everything by tapping into the stock tail light bulb harnesses. the setup will still allow you to remove the light housings as needed because the wiring will be completely disconnectable. also, this method will allow you to change the style whenever you want just by switching connectors. this means you can have the lights light up like stock 99 circles, or you can have the rings only, or you can have one ring on with the other ring w/ brakes, etc, etc.
i'm flying down to FL on march 13th so i want to have at least one of my prototypes completed before then. hopefully i can unveil the results then, if not sooner.
03-01-10, 08:41 PM
#92
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anyway here's some progress. unfortunately i can't find our iron, so i can't make the PCB's tonight.
i did, however, finish redesigning the PCB layouts. i realized that i could get away with far less resistors by wiring up groups of 6-LEDs in series - this mean's i only need ONE resistor for the extra 4 LED's left over (the rings use 64 LED's total).
i did, however, finish redesigning the PCB layouts. i realized that i could get away with far less resistors by wiring up groups of 6-LEDs in series - this mean's i only need ONE resistor for the extra 4 LED's left over (the rings use 64 LED's total).
03-10-10, 03:12 PM
#93
anyway...an update. my "diffusers" arrived in the mail today. had these custom made. here are the thicker flavor: 80mm OD x 40mm ID for the brake circles & 75mm OD x 35mm ID for the signal circles (1/4" thick acrylic for all).
(yes, they have the protective paper on them still in the above photo)
essentially, these will sit behind the colored insert lenses, helping to diffuse the led light so you don't see the individual led beam shapes.
here's one of the rings with the paper removed. each ring gets the top & bottom surfaces sanded until they are clouded and diffused. i tried it on one of the rings and it really helped to diffuse the light.
i also have a thinner style ring: 80mm OD x 60mm ID for the brake circles & 75mm OD x 55mm ID for the signals:
this gives me some options...
im hoping to have my prototype ready by this weekend. more info/pics soon hopefully
03-10-10, 08:29 PM
#98
i had a chance to take some better photos with a slightly better camera.
sanded:
you can see the ring when held up to the light, but when re-assembled and the lights are off, the rings will be invisible - they'll look just like normal '99-spec tails until you turn them on.
mmmm...
sanded:
you can see the ring when held up to the light, but when re-assembled and the lights are off, the rings will be invisible - they'll look just like normal '99-spec tails until you turn them on.
mmmm...
03-12-10, 10:21 PM
#100
so...unfortunately the final parts that i was waiting for DID NOT COME and i have to fly to florida tomorrow afternoon. doubt i'll get them before i leave.
this project is gonna have to be put on hold until i get back next weekend. bummer
this project is gonna have to be put on hold until i get back next weekend. bummer