L.E.D Tail Lights

[jking78]

I'm building my own. Just something I'm toying around with right now. I only have 18 bulbs lit out of 36. Have to change the color of the other 18 bulbs

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[Longroof79]

Is there a source that you recommend to purchase the components, and is there any tips or advice you can provide ?

 

[liquidh8]

JKing78, I have though about doing my own. But I am not sure it would be cost effective to do it. Are they parallel 12vdc? The lower voltage ones?

 

[Longroof79]

Good questions Jim.
I'm also wondering if it's more cost effective to buy the boards already assembled.

 

[jking78]

I paid $7.00 for a pack of 100 5mm white led & a pack of 5mm red leds from ebay. The resistors I got from work I think I paid $13 for the board from RadioShack I sure I can find it cheap on ebay.

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[jking78]

Yes they they are parallel to 12vdc

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[liquidh8]

Ok, it is easier to do it that way. This way you don't have to worry about a few different series/parallel schemes to get everything to play well together. Keep us updated on you progress with these as i am curious.

 

[Longroof79]

Yes J,
Keep us up to date. I'm very interested in the process. From what I read, you need 100 ohm resistors. One per LED. I think if anything, it's more of an issue of time. I'd give it a go once I got the materials together.

As for the boards. Do you have to cut them for a particular size, or are they available in various sizes?

 

[gp02a0083]

typically sequential / "moving" LED's work really well using a PWM (pulse width modulation) technique, that allows for a dimming effect. Also another suggestion when the boards are assembled is to use something like devcon 5 min epoxy and do that they call "potting" or encapsulate all other connectors on the back and front of the proto board and all other components so that it has corrosion resistance. IIRC you may need to add a ballast or some other component for the turn signals, should not need that on the brake lights themselves

 

[FE3X CLONE]

What's the advantage to installing a board like this vs just installing LED replacement bulbs? From what I can tell the end result looks the same.