[mithuth]

I have a set of four Model45 tail lights laying around from work, and want to retro fit them into a set of stock tails.

Here's a pic to give you an idea what I have, and what I want to do...

LED Tail Lamps

and here's what I want to do:

Slowly shave away the bulb area so the LEDs fit snugly against the back of the tail light housing and use some black silicone to stick them on there.

My question is more about the wiring. Since there will be 2x LED lights per side instead of 2x incandescent lights per side, do I need a resistor or relay of some sort? If so, can anyone recommend what I may need? I really am dumb when it comes to wiring, and I don't want to burn up anything if I can help it.

Good idea, bad idea?

Also, on a side note, before anyone points it out, the red tail light lenses will not filter out the red LED light. They will be incredibly bright.

 

[jmart]

If it was me I wouldn't silicon them in. What if you ever want to take them out? I would devise some osrt of simple clamping arrangement to hold them in from the back. Perhaps some sort of hinged piece the goeas across the back and has a screw in the opposite side. Just a quick thought. but something simple liek that. Or maybe even a hook and loop piece that straps across the back holding them in.

 

[mithuth]

If it was me I wouldn't silicon them in. What if you ever want to take them out? I would devise some osrt of simple clamping arrangement to hold them in from the back. Perhaps some sort of hinged piece the goeas across the back and has a screw in the opposite side. Just a quick thought. but something simple liek that. Or maybe even a hook and loop piece that straps across the back holding them in.

I'm going to have to cut away the back of the tail lamp to mount them flush into the housing. the housing becomes junk without the LED. To remove the LED for replacement if it ever does need it, you simply cut the line of silicone and pop out the LED.

*edit to add*
When its' all said and done, I want the cover panels to fit back over the tail lams, for a clean look.

 

[coz]

Have you thought of using a drop-in replacement LED bulb cluster?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html

 

[mithuth]

Have you thought of using a drop-in replacement LED bulb cluster?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html

The ones I got were free from work. woo hoo. They have 24 LEDs and are insanely bright. Did I mention they were free?

I don't care for them, the standard bulb replacement LEDs. They are powered from the standard bulb's socket and not setup as a designated line like the sealed circuit LEDs we have at work. I'm hoping I can fab up a plug on the LED's harness and just plug them into the standard brake light wiring. I just need to know if I need a resistor or something, and if so, which one do I need. I'm going to do some asking around tonight at work and see what the techs say. I think we have a resistor box we sell and I can get pretty cheap if I need it. I just don't know if I'd need it for only 4 LED housings.

 

[rex2nr]

From my limited understanding of LEDs you would need a resistor in the circuit. What it looks like however is that these premade panels will have resistors already fabbed in.

This is a project I've also been looking into, but less actively. I want rings of lights, but I'm not sure how to get them to look ok since the inside of the plastic is textured. I would have to get a set of crystal clears and paint them to do what I want to.

 

['9445]

From my limited understanding of LEDs you would need a resistor in the circuit. What it looks like however is that these premade panels will have resistors already fabbed in.

This is a project I've also been looking into, but less actively. I want rings of lights, but I'm not sure how to get them to look ok since the inside of the plastic is textured. I would have to get a set of crystal clears and paint them to do what I want to.

I agree, since these are meant to replace regular light units the LEDs should be hooked in series/parallel strings with any needed resistors so the whole unit runs on 12v.

I've been thinking about the LED taillight thing as well ... I think you could get a decent effect by taking the whole reflector off of the back of the stock unit, then mounting a board with rings or whatever pattern of LED you want up close to the textured lens. Putting the LEDs near to the lens means you will be able to see the pattern more distinctly, if they were mounted 6" back from it you would not be able to see the pattern as much because the pattern of bumps in the lens will diffuse the light more (because the cone of light from each LED has spread out more). I want stock appearance when the lights are off. Another neat trick would be to use the stock incandescent bulb for the taillight but drill holes and mount LEDs for the brake light function. So stock appearance even when the lights are on, hit the brake and BAM, massive LED photon barrage. Or, if you are removing the whole reflector assembly and mounting a board by the stock lens, use bi-color red/yellow LEDs and a circuit so that some of the flash from red to yellow for the turn signal. Lots of good possibilities here.

 

[mithuth]

Um, I think you're getting a little TOO involved. What you're talking about is a completely redesigned circuit board and epoxy process.

The lights I'm going to be using are on a circuit board sealed in epoxy then the lens is sonic welded over the housing so there's no chance what so ever of the circuit board being exposed to the elements and burning out. They also have a life time warranty. if anything happens to them, I cut the silicon and return/replace them free.

I'll post a step by step once I get into this.

I need to get a spare set of "play" headlights first.

 

[rex2nr]

Well, what I want, is for my light to have the ring pattern similar to like... a G35 or RSX. Yet, I want them to look stock, until you hit the lights. One of the reasons, besides the different look, I'm considering this is that I'm using blacked out tail lights, so I want to make up for the light output loss during the day.

Jason, I think your setup would be much simpler, especially if you plan to install one of the pre-made truck style lamps installed the way you mention. Silicon-ing them in will be good because then you wont have to deal with trapped moisture, but if, for some reason you did need to get at them, Jmart is saying that some sort of simple latching mechanism would just save you the trouble of cleaning off the old silicon and re-gluing them in.

 

['9445]

Um, I think you're getting a little TOO involved. What you're talking about is a completely redesigned circuit board and epoxy process.

Yeah. I like to get carried away ... it's probably a good thing that I don't have time to actually do stuff like this very often

While it would be way more work that what you're headed for, it isn't a huge amount. I wasn't thinking of doing a custom board with traces for the wiring, just a blank board drilled to mount the LEDs, soldered wire connections, and perhaps pot the board and components in clear epoxy before mounting it to the taillight lens.

 

[mithuth]

Well, what I want, is for my light to have the ring pattern similar to like... a G35 or RSX. Yet, I want them to look stock, until you hit the lights. One of the reasons, besides the different look, I'm considering this is that I'm using blacked out tail lights, so I want to make up for the light output loss during the day.

Hmmm I think I got an idea... let me run this by you...

Take a Round LED tail light and retro fit it similar to how I am doing my square ones... only take some black tape and cover the center few LEDs so you only light up your outer ring of LEDs in the round housing.

Example:
Here

Jason, I think your setup would be much simpler, especially if you plan to install one of the pre-made truck style lamps installed the way you mention. Silicon-ing them in will be good because then you wont have to deal with trapped moisture, but if, for some reason you did need to get at them, Jmart is saying that some sort of simple latching mechanism would just save you the trouble of cleaning off the old silicon and re-gluing them in.

A quick razor knife around them pops them out and a flat swipe takes off the extra silicone. I don't need to drown them to get them to stick. Heck, they're a sealed LED, double sided tape would hold them.

 

[rex2nr]

that is an option...

 

[ElihuRodriguez]

I.. WANT.. THIS.... too bad the owner of this video does not speak english.. i have been researching with no results.. has anyone here at the forums done this??

 

[bobski]

I.. WANT.. THIS....

Looks to me like a pretty basic diamond pattern with the LEDs right up against the lens.

 

[ElihuRodriguez]

i want to make some custom LED tail lights for my crx.
theres a few vids out that ppl have made for other cars, for example for a s13:

im trying to find anyone else that has done this for their crx! the type of LEDs used, circuit board cut dimensions, resistors.. some voltage specs.. but ive found nothing so far.. anyone got some info??

 

[Baker]

I'm just not sold on the whole LED thing, don't like the look of it.

 

[Krix]

It looks better on some tails than others, usually ones that are not square. Just looks outta place on that crx light.

 

[imgoingforit]

I agree with both of you. ^^

 

[AVL8386]

The lights on the bumper of my semi are held in with a rubber grommet that they snap in to. These grommets work good if you cut the holes the right size. In the million miles that are on my truck i have had one fall out and that was yesterday coming to dallas from san antonio.. That might be something to look into.

Heres some pics of it

http://picasaweb.google.com/AVL8386/MyPeterbilt#

 

[Ajsik]

Hi, I found a youtube link to your site. I send you my new video LED lights on the CRX. (excuse my bad English)
Detail :

All in night:

AJSIK from Czech Republic