G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Forum » THUMPer Forum » Buell Blast Thumper Knowledge Vault » BodyParts-Seats, Fairings,Lights,Pegs,Rear Sets, Bars, Grips, Clip ons, Mods » DIY LED tail light « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buuueller
Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I searched everywhere about making your own led lights but didnt find much. So if anyone has the interest in doing this follow along.

I used info from this site http://www.sca40.com/led/ which you should look at to understand the math needed to determine how to design your light and to work up a parts list. I basically followed the same plan but added turn signals to it.

This is the template used but it needs to be resized to 1980px X 540px at 360px/in. (which is 5 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.) to fit into the Blast light.



You should be able to just print it and it should fit right in the fixture.



I used the template to cut the shape out of acrylic. Then taped the template onto it so I could drill the holes for the led's. NOTE: I drilled more holes than the template showed because of the extra yellow led's. Shown later.



Led's have + and - leads, usually the + lead is longer. Notice once you start installing the led's you must make sure the leads are facing the same way so that they are connected in series NOT parallel. Now get ready for ALOT of soldering.



This is how it fits into the lens. Notice that if I had planned better, the leds would have fallen deeper into the lens making the light brighter through the lens.



You can put a couple of white leds pointing downward for the lic plate light.
This is a test of resistors to see which was best.






I added yellow leds for turn signals, about 24 for each side. And since the brake light used 150ohm resistors on 45 red led's, I cut the figure in half and used 75ohm resistors on each side. I didnt bother with the blinker timer because I like the faster blinking. All I had to do was connect the positive side of the turn signal to the positive side of the yellow led's and it worked like a champ.



The site listed above shows how to make the connector out of a 1157 light bulb.



Its a bit tricky but it works good.

If I had to do it all over again I would have been more patient and ordered 30ma leds instead of buying the 20ma led that were on the shelf. I think it looks great but the red running light could be a little bit brighter. Not bad figuring that I saved about $100.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolffsoul
Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 07:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Maybe some one can help I just bought a few led marker lights. The first set I put in the front (LP racing, Model #122-0001) worked fine blinked a little quick but work. The second set (LP Racing, Model #122-0041) rear mount on each side of the license plate really cool looking if I could get them to work. They just buzz and no blinkers work. If I put the OEM ones back on no problem. Any suggestions LP racing was no help. They claim I shouldn't need a relay.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mmelvis
Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 10:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/269543.html

Bottom of the page, posting by EZ

Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 11:04 am:

-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Its ok - yes the LED are way bright, twice as much, and you need the special flasher or 2 in-line resistors to make it all work - lol - but the regular are way brighter than stock already - I've always figured the LED are a bit of overkill, others like them though - its more of a personal choice.
GT - JBOTDS! EZ
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolffsoul
Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 11:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sorry to be a bit Ignorant, but what size of resistors would I need? Or do I need one relay per light????
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buuueller
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 05:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

In my case I followed the design for resistors I found on the web page I put in my first post. Its worth reading. I was very brief in this discussion because of it. Ultimatly I used resistor values of 150ohms for 45 leds to be used as running lights, 17 ohms for the same 45 led's used as brake lights and 17 ohms for 24 yellow leds as blinker lights (1 resistor and 24 yellows for each side).

It will depend on the LED's you use. Ill post the formula after I find it again. I ended up with 20ma led's instead of 30ma like the guy had on the site. But I used the same resistor values which worked fine.

As far as the flasher module, you only need it if you want the lights to flash at the same rate (speed) as the bulbs. The LED's have less resistance causing the factory flasher to flash faster (say that three times fast). Its designed that way to alert you to a burnt bulb.

Heres a video of mine "without" the flasher module. I like it flashing fast anyway.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WKQ6naJIO90

(Message edited by Buuueller on September 05, 2007)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buuueller
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 06:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This is a great site to learn the basics about LED design:
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm
And this is the site that I based my design off:
http://www.sca40.com/led/
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolffsoul
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 10:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just got the relay and put the rear lights on they work great pretty bright too. Thank you for your help.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration