»
 

Go Back   ResellerRatings Store Ratings > ResellerRatings Forums > Off Topic Community

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-21-2003, 12:32 AM   #1 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Tekk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,122
Tekk is on a distinguished road
LED's in a car

Well since there's no real car section here I'd thought I'd ask here. My question is how difficult would it be to change the normal bulb setup in a tail-light to an LED setup. Im talkin like talkin a few bright LEDs and maybe drilling some small holes in the brakelight housing and mounting the LEDs in the holes. Then I would need to somehow tap into the wiring that came into the original bulb connector. How would I go about finding out what I exactly needed to make this a reality? Or is it possible? I know some cars have LED's in the tail-lights so it MUST be possible somehow. Would I need to fabricate some kind of switching box to make the right current or something? I really know nothing about electrical components so I figured you guys would know how the LEDs would need to work

Just a little weekend project I just thought I might be able to do if its easy enough. Plus it'd look pretty cool!!

__________________
Im very explosive right now...BOOM! Very explosive.
Tekk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 05:30 AM   #2 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Gomer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: MSU- E. Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,504
Gomer is on a distinguished road
They make replacement bulbs that are LED instead of incandescent. They fit standard fixtures.
Gomer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 05:42 AM   #3 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Graham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Ipswich Suffolk UK
Posts: 1,110
Graham is on a distinguished road
The LED circuitry would be quite easy, the main thing you need to consider are the regulations. I know here in the UK there is a restriction on the maximum power that can be used in light systems, although I am sure that LEDs would not contravene that. Your choice of LED would affect the quantity you need, or vice vera, the quantity you want to use would affect your choice of LED, and the quantity affects the way they are wired.
In general terms I would choose to have as many as possible /practical, and each having a wide viewing angle.
If you were to drill the original "lens" then you would have to seal each LED to stop water getting into the housing (the LEDs will be OK exposed to the elements), if you want to fit them behind the "lens" you will somehow need to find a clear replacement lens.

Just my initial thoughts, electrically easy, but some serious thought before starting.

Cluster assmblies of LEDs are available, e.g. Kingbright BL0101-15-33 (26 mm dia) and BL0307-50-44 (52 mm dia)

G


Edit. Just read Gomers post, that would definately be the easiest option, but probably more expensive.

G
__________________
Nothing moves faster than goalposts.

Last edited by Graham; 02-21-2003 at 05:44 AM.
Graham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 09:57 AM   #4 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Tekk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,122
Tekk is on a distinguished road
heheh...indeed it would be pricey. Hey Gomer do you have any links to an example?

Graham I was thinking of placing them behind the actual lens (they would not be exposed).
__________________
Im very explosive right now...BOOM! Very explosive.
Tekk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 02:49 PM   #5 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Gomer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: MSU- E. Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,504
Gomer is on a distinguished road
no links... I can prolly dig some up tho.

I know autozone carries them. I think Azone is in CA?
Gomer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 02:52 PM   #6 (permalink)
Registered User
 
MD1032's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 871
MD1032 is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to MD1032
Boy those LED's are so annoying. I'm only 14, and I'm sitting ion the passenger seat sheilding my eyes from those things. I have no idea how my dad drives. Keep the wattage down, and save some old granny's eyesight.
__________________
[img]http://www.geocities.com/delldude9013/MYSIG1.txt[/img]
MD1032 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2003, 05:58 PM   #8 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Tekk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,122
Tekk is on a distinguished road
Very interesting...thanks Gomer!
__________________
Im very explosive right now...BOOM! Very explosive.
Tekk is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Most Active Discussions

Recent Discussions

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:17 AM.