Making Led Tailights Project, Using LED's, resistor coils and circuit board Options

[Ratsun]

For a while I've been considering doing trying to find a replacement to the old stock globes in the rear taillights of my 610.

After watching a few videos and speaking with a couple of ppl from my work (one being a qualified electronics engineer), I've decided to have a go at making some LED replacement panels for certain components on my car.

First one I'm going to try and do is just a simple circuit board with some resistors and putting them in place of the rear blinkers.

Now the price of LED's has come down considerably since there are alot of places in asia producing LED gear.

At the moment I went out and bought a lot of 100 LED's, below is the pics from the ad;

(IMG:http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp8/dunniss/ledtaillights/ledall.jpg)
(IMG:http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp8/dunniss/ledtaillights/white.jpg)

I got 100pcs white LED's for $30 AUD delivered, sweet!

Next step is figure out what circuit board to use then start some soldering. Will update the post as it progresses.

Also before anyone says, I'm aware that I can buy a LED replacement globe for the stock socket, but I'm keen to experient with this (and probably learn something along the way).

Some vids I used for reference;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF4DkXTN49o

[IMA42C]

Will be interesting to see what you come up with ill be keen for a set when your done!! haha.

[Ratsun]

See how we go with these first Mick (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Got some PCB last night and some solder. Also got some resistors with the LED's so we are going to attempt a prototype today probably.

Got a backing plate from a 610sss with me, so starting with the blinker the safe measurement is around 75mmx75mm with a tiny bit off one corner where it curves.

More to come..

[Ratsun]

Haven't had much time for this lately, but a guy from work threw together a small test setup using a 9v battery.

(IMG:http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp8/dunniss/ledtaillights/ledtest.jpg)

The one on the left uses a resistor that we received with the LED's, the other side has no resistor (just to show the difference in brightness).

This was just a test, we'll need to do some calculations and work out the best resistor to use.

[Ratsun]

More testing, put a couple in sequence for testing


Side view
(IMG:http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp8/dunniss/ledtaillights/led.jpg)

Top view, much brighter

(IMG:http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp8/dunniss/ledtaillights/led1.jpg)

That's 56 led's in 2 separate groups, 1 side has inline resistors, the other side doesn't (so one side should be brighter).

Also 1 thing to note if you are doing this at home, you will need the appropriate colour LED to suit your application.

I.e. Red led for tailights, white for reverse etc.

I didn't think the colours would matter, but after putting a lense over the board above, it's evident that I will need the right colour for blinkers & tailights.