LED Tail Light Build
#1
12-27-2012, 11:10 PM
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,026
LED Tail Light Build
This should be a fun one 
Tail light design I'm going for:
I've got a spare set of tails I'm working on.
I cut one of them open with a soldering iron because unfortantely they are electric welded.
Starting with the bottom row of LEDs. The PCBs I'll piece together and cut to fit.
Covered in vinyl. I used vinyl to create a clean look and the black will darken the lens from the inside. It also allows the different boards to bend around to match the curve of the lens.
Sitting in the lens about so..
Laying the LEDs.
Wired up.
It took me all day to get this far! This will be a long project.
I'm working on the wiring right now. I'm having some troubles building the circuit with the dimmers in them for dual brightness LEDs (running lights and brakes). Hopefully I can get that sorted out so I can get these lit up!
Stay tuned
Tail light design I'm going for:
I've got a spare set of tails I'm working on.
I cut one of them open with a soldering iron because unfortantely they are electric welded.
Starting with the bottom row of LEDs. The PCBs I'll piece together and cut to fit.
Covered in vinyl. I used vinyl to create a clean look and the black will darken the lens from the inside. It also allows the different boards to bend around to match the curve of the lens.
Sitting in the lens about so..
Laying the LEDs.
Wired up.
It took me all day to get this far! This will be a long project.
I'm working on the wiring right now. I'm having some troubles building the circuit with the dimmers in them for dual brightness LEDs (running lights and brakes). Hopefully I can get that sorted out so I can get these lit up!
Stay tuned
#3
01-02-2013, 10:28 PM
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,026
More...
PWM (pulse width modulation)
This little PWM comes in a kit you put together. It starts in a little bag, and then you solder all the components together to get a finished PWM.
Using the PWM in conjunction with this homemade circuit, I will be able to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. For running lights, they will run at about 50% of full brightness. When the brakes come on, they will jump up to 100% and get brighter. Cool effect, much safer
I just tested it with a battery. This is at a lower brightness around 20%
This is full brightness. Super bright! It's hard to look at as it hurts my eyes.
Inside of the lens. I guess my camera really sucks at taking dark pictures at bright lights ha. It looks much nicer in person and not so glowing.
PWM (pulse width modulation)
This little PWM comes in a kit you put together. It starts in a little bag, and then you solder all the components together to get a finished PWM.
Using the PWM in conjunction with this homemade circuit, I will be able to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. For running lights, they will run at about 50% of full brightness. When the brakes come on, they will jump up to 100% and get brighter. Cool effect, much safer
I just tested it with a battery. This is at a lower brightness around 20%
This is full brightness. Super bright! It's hard to look at as it hurts my eyes.
Inside of the lens. I guess my camera really sucks at taking dark pictures at bright lights ha. It looks much nicer in person and not so glowing.
#6
01-02-2013, 11:14 PM
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,026
Thanks guys! I'll have some time tomorrow to work on the upper section. I'll definitely have more pics 
