Check out the New LED Third Brake Light!!!
01-02-2006, 08:12 AM
#1
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out the New LED Third Brake Light!!! Hey everyone! I just thought I would share my latest build you you guys. On my most recent short lived vacation I took the time to build my LED third brake light. I have attached some pics.
The array consists of 72 - 20,000 mcd Red LED's which if you where to convert to lumens I came up with a rough figure of about 4,700 Lumens. The average 100W light bulb only puts out around 1780 if that give you a good comparison.
I have a write-up for those of you that want to build this yourself on my webpage in the installs section. I also finished the write up on the LED interior door panel lights. Another member is selling people a 3mm LED conversion, but my write-up shows you how to do the 5mm conversion for WAY MORE light!! Ok, well about 20,000 mcd of light.
I just wanted to share and thanks for the time. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
The array consists of 72 - 20,000 mcd Red LED's which if you where to convert to lumens I came up with a rough figure of about 4,700 Lumens. The average 100W light bulb only puts out around 1780 if that give you a good comparison.
I have a write-up for those of you that want to build this yourself on my webpage in the installs section. I also finished the write up on the LED interior door panel lights. Another member is selling people a 3mm LED conversion, but my write-up shows you how to do the 5mm conversion for WAY MORE light!! Ok, well about 20,000 mcd of light.
I just wanted to share and thanks for the time. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
01-02-2006, 10:01 AM
#4
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks a lot guys! My wife was actually placing bets that I get pulled over because of its intensity. I dont think it is to bad.
If I need to I will desgin a regulation circuit to reduce and limit the peak votage to tone it down, but I dont think I will need to.
I will have a falsher circuit for it in the future when and if I get the time.
On the other bright side my wife wants me to build my LED taillights now! That was a suprise!
If I need to I will desgin a regulation circuit to reduce and limit the peak votage to tone it down, but I dont think I will need to.
I will have a falsher circuit for it in the future when and if I get the time.
On the other bright side my wife wants me to build my LED taillights now! That was a suprise!
01-02-2006, 10:01 AM
#5
Originally Posted by Ws6Extreme
Thanks a lot guys! My wife was actually placing bets that I get pulled over because of its intensity. I dont think it is to bad.
If I need to I will desgin a regulation circuit to reduce and limit the peak votage to tone it down, but I dont think I will need to.
I will have a falsher circuit for it in the future when and if I get the time.
If I need to I will desgin a regulation circuit to reduce and limit the peak votage to tone it down, but I dont think I will need to.
I will have a falsher circuit for it in the future when and if I get the time.
That mod is really cool though!
01-02-2006, 10:07 AM
#6
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yea that would be my luck!...
I also found a design that lets you flash a CMOS chip with a message so when you hit your brakes (or apply power) the message would scroll across! That one is a little advanced right now for my available time, but would be cool.
I also found a design that lets you flash a CMOS chip with a message so when you hit your brakes (or apply power) the message would scroll across! That one is a little advanced right now for my available time, but would be cool.
Trending Topics
01-02-2006, 11:16 AM
#8
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats cool. I have been meaning to built this for months, and finally had time to do it this last week. I used the Red to compliment the housing.
I had also replaced my gear shifter light with LED's as well. I will have that write up done soon as well.
I had also replaced my gear shifter light with LED's as well. I will have that write up done soon as well.
01-02-2006, 11:26 AM
#9
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arlington TX
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You could tape off the area around the letters then paint the rest of the housing black for the shifter and I bet the light wouldn't bleed as much from the other areas. I think it might look a little cleaner. All of it looks great though. I like the 3rd brake light a lot
01-02-2006, 11:35 AM
#11
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 01 Red WS6
You could tape off the area around the letters then paint the rest of the housing black for the shifter and I bet the light wouldn't bleed as much from the other areas. I think it might look a little cleaner. All of it looks great though. I like the 3rd brake light a lot
Yea that isnt the installed pic. I have yet to re-install it back into the car. I was thinking of taking some electrical tape and seam the sides to control the bleed. Thats a good idea.
01-02-2006, 03:14 PM
#12
TECH Fanatic
Originally Posted by Ws6Extreme
Thats cool. I have been meaning to built this for months, and finally had time to do it this last week. I used the Red to compliment the housing.
I had also replaced my gear shifter light with LED's as well. I will have that write up done soon as well.
I had also replaced my gear shifter light with LED's as well. I will have that write up done soon as well.
01-02-2006, 05:43 PM
#16
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why so many? You could probably get away with less than 20 20k MCD leds and still work really really well as a 3rd brake light.
I like the idea, I've thought about doing it, I just wouldn't use nearly as many
I like the idea, I've thought about doing it, I just wouldn't use nearly as many
01-02-2006, 05:50 PM
#17
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ingleside, Texas
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I figured since I was doing it I wanted to do it right the first time. I also figured that 72 20000 mcd LEDs would still pull less power then the 2 factory bulbs. I also wanted an evenly distributed display.
I guess it is kind of the "Tim the toolman Taylor" effect as well. I have a Camaro housing and a standard Firebird housing as well that I might convert.
I guess it is kind of the "Tim the toolman Taylor" effect as well. I have a Camaro housing and a standard Firebird housing as well that I might convert.
