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Ninamashr
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2005
Posts: 1400
Location: City of Round Rock in the Great State of Texas
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 Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for the delay guys. I'm having a generator issue right now so I didn't want to post up anything up until I was sure they were working perfectly. I made the mistake of thinking there were 6.1 volts going to the brake light and there were actually only 4.9 volts. So my led's started working erractically. I would suggest you check how many volts are actually going to the brakelights BEFORE designing and soldering your array. I went here to design my array...
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz
I am using 13 ea - 5mm Red led's, the resistor will depend on the actual source voltage going to the array. The "diode forward voltage" will be 2.0 for red led's, the "diode forward current (mA)" generally should be 20 mA. I'm going to make a few sets of the blank arrays to sell. I'm thinking about $15 a pair shipped in USA. If you have a little bit of soldering knowledge it's an easy mod to do. Just go to the link type in your numbers and that will tell you what you need to buy.
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toxic56
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006
Posts: 120
Location: Dallas Texas
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:34 am Post subject: |
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Put me down for a pair. They are great. Let us know when you have them ready.
Thanks!!!! |
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teahouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2006
Posts: 23
Location: SE New Hampshire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:02 am Post subject: |
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| Set me up for a set also. I have already PM'ed you so let me know. Thank you. |
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thebucket
Samba Stockbroker
Joined: April 06, 2004
Posts: 3734
Location: Houston Texas
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Bob Loblaw
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008
Posts: 865
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: |
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I also would be down for a set of those. I just got new bulb holders and reflectors from Wolfsburg West (not the best fit, but not bad for $10 ea) to use with red plexi and blue dots. The blue dot effect didn't quite work out like I had hoped. Standing right behind the car, about 30 ft back, the right side looks very good, but the left looks a little dull. Move over a coupla feet to the left, and the left side looks great, but now the right seems diminished. There's only one sweet spot where both lights look perfect. Seems to me the LED's should look awesome no matter where you stand.
PM sent!
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Lacosta
Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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I would like to be added to the list for the blank array. The lights look awesome. I can't wait to have a set in the car.
Thanks. |
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sunroof
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2006
Posts: 2030
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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I'll take a set as well
Don |
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Ace
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003
Posts: 1903
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| Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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If you know electronics and you are looking to build PCBs that will fit inside the tail light assembly, you can make custom boards. Check out expresspcb.com You could incorporate the voltage regulator on the PCB.
I was thinking of making a LED conversion box that goes directly from the fuse box, then converts all incandescants for LED lighting, switching, blinking, etc. using factory wiring. Doubt I will ever be motivated to design one though.
There are different refracting ends on different LEDs that diffuse light differently. The domed ones are usually focused.
If you are really good, you could also create light pipes with acrylic that will refract the light too. |
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BugMan114
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2007
Posts: 3744
Location: Ellenwood, GA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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so is this topic dead? Are you selling sets of these lights?
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panel
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2001
Posts: 1190
Location: Victoria B.C. Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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| sunroof wrote: |
What value of resistor did you use?
Where did you get the LEDs and what is the part number?
How did you cut the plastic?
Would it be easy to make 1000's?
A kit that I would assemble would work for me.
Don |
Any word on the resistor?
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Splitdog
Samba Split Personality
Joined: February 16, 2004
Posts: 4135
Location: Planet VW
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Ace wrote: |
If you know electronics and you are looking to build PCBs that will fit inside the tail light assembly, you can make custom boards. Check out expresspcb.com You could incorporate the voltage regulator on the PCB.
I was thinking of making a LED conversion box that goes directly from the fuse box, then converts all incandescants for LED lighting, switching, blinking, etc. using factory wiring. Doubt I will ever be motivated to design one though.
There are different refracting ends on different LEDs that diffuse light differently. The domed ones are usually focused.
If you are really good, you could also create light pipes with acrylic that will refract the light too. |
Some good ideas....
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Ace
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003
Posts: 1903
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johnshenry
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2001
Posts: 9407
Location: Northwood, NH USA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:39 am Post subject: |
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You can't specify the resistor until you have specified the LEDs that will be used, and their number.
LED resistors are determined by the forward current specs on the LED, and its diode voltage drop. They are all different. If you are running all the LEDs in parallel (most likely, as long as the LEDs are all identical), you multiply the fwd current spec of the LED by the number you are using, subtract the LED voltage drop (diode voltage drop, true for most LEDs, usually 2-4 volts, see spec) from the system voltage (6?) and use R=V/I to calc the resistor.
Say you are using 30 LEDs with a 20mA fwd current and 2 volts drop
30 x 20mA is 600mA or .6 amps (I)
R=(6-2)/.6
= 6.67ohms
Go up (round) up on the resistor value, and current drops. LEDs dim, but may last longer.
Down on resistor value, LEDs will run brighter, but may fail quicker.
Remember that that resistor is in circuit with ALL the LEDs. You will not be able to get the exact calculated value usually, you will have to get the std value closest. Round up, not down.
As an efficiency comparison, the std incandescent turn signal bulbs are 18 watts, or 3 amps at 6 volts. In the example above the current is .6 amps, or 3.6 watts at 6 volts
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'57 Deluxe
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Ace
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003
Posts: 1903
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: |
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You are better off running a resistor for each LED or run smaller banks of LEDs with multiple resistors. The standard value for through hole resistors are 1/4 watt. You want your resistor to handle about double the load the LEDs require.
Another Note. Your turn signal flasher is designed around the load of the bulbs on the circuit. Changing the power that it takes to turn on the light will affect the blinking rate. A resistor can be used to compensate for this though too. |
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johnshenry
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2001
Posts: 9407
Location: Northwood, NH USA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:10 am Post subject: |
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| Ace wrote: |
You are better off running a resistor for each LED or run smaller banks of LEDs with multiple resistors. The standard value for through hole resistors are 1/4 watt. You want your resistor to handle about double the load the LEDs require.
Another Note. Your turn signal flasher is designed around the load of the bulbs on the circuit. Changing the power that it takes to turn on the light will affect the blinking rate. A resistor can be used to compensate for this though too. |
Good points Ace. The "don't run LEDs in parallel on the same resistor" issues (due to voltage drop variances between LEDs) isn't what it used to be, and a 5 watt resistor my be harder to find/cost more than say six one watt ones, or a "value pack" of 1/4 or 1/8ths.
REAL good point about the flasher. I restore the brown bakelite box '55-'57 ones and I can tell you unequivocally that they will not work at all with a 3.6 watt load. Those flashers are complex and very load sensitive. The more common 2 and 3 prong bi metallic strip ones will also be affected but those cannot be made to work with the std Beetle speedo indicator bulb circuit.
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John Henry
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Ace
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003
Posts: 1903
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Ace wrote: |
We need to know the resistor specs and voltage to the taillight. You can research parts and specs here. |
Sorry, I meant to say LEDs.  |
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Ninamashr
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2005
Posts: 1400
Location: City of Round Rock in the Great State of Texas
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Deckie27
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2007
Posts: 70
Location: Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| YGPM |
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PaintSum
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2006
Posts: 100
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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You might have seen this car in the for sale ads.. It is gone now..
I made the housings for these 50 pontiac taillights these would pretty much blind you in the brake function.
Be aware that LED's function way different than you expect. I am well versed on this adaptation to a VW now 
check out this link for some info
http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/helpful_tip_talkin_taillights.html
I mounted them at a slight angle because LED's only are at their brightest when direct. This is something that will pose a problem for a snowflake. I am building an oval now and was just figuring out this problem because I do like the original snowflake housing and lens. I found this thread and was excited. I will have alot of info to share before long.. maybe a kit to put on the market. Also working on a kit to lower your bumper like the 65 in the pic. It is in the works.... 
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Neil Davies
Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2005
Posts: 393
Location: Kidderminster, West Midlands, UK
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Splitdog wrote: |
| Anyone doing this to a split taillight? Sounds interesting......... |
Not yet, but I am planning to... 
My split hasn't got the original rear wings (so no dimples) and the taillights are the early 90's cast aluminium French repros. I haven't got bulb holders so I was seriously looking at doing these rear lights. Some good ideas and sources of info on this thread too! 
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If not put me down for a set.
