Want Led Tail Lights?
#1
Posted 25 May 2008 - 11:34 AM
So, over the past couple day I took out one of my tail light assemblies and started checking the fit. Turns out these particular ones looked to be sized damn near perfect to fit into the (CRX) tail/stop lamp enclosure area.
That's just the red lens cover that I removed from the LED housing. I did that because I didn't want 'two' red lenses over the LEDs (which were also red when illuminated) Didn't figure it was necessary. I 'may' have been wrong (more on that later).
With the lens cover sitting where I thought it needed to be I made some scribe marks on the plastic, then started cutting out a hole. I used the air cutting wheel on the first one, then found out how soft that plastic really is, you can cut it pretty easily:
The hole trimmed pretty close to a 'good' fit:
Here's the light 'trial fitted' in the cut-out. I also cut off the ~3" part that fits into the receiver hitch, it's all plastic.
Just in case you're interested in what the lights look like under the cover.
Next post to follow, I had too many pics in this one!
- badpenny likes this
If you love the Elise, drive a Se7en - Caterham or whatever...
It has even less content than the Elise, is less graceful looking
...and changes direction like a ping pong ball whacked by Thor.
#2
Posted 25 May 2008 - 11:34 AM
All ready to go back in with the wiring done.
A shot from the rear with the lights off, you can barely make out the LEDs behind the lens. The bright yellow is just the reflection of the flash.
With the brakes on! Believe me when I say it brightens up the back of the garage!
From a slightly lower angle, without the flash.
I'll have to remember to take another shot of them when I get the car outside to see if it looks less 'yellowish'. When I saw the pics I noticed that but really don't remember it looking quite that yellow just standing behind the car. Hence my comment that maybe I should have left the red lens that came on them in place. I didn't show a shot of them with just the parking lights on...because I didn't hook them up! I DID however, leave the brown wire for the parking lights in place just in case I ever see a need for them.
Never have since I built the car in 2001 though!
Jay
- badpenny likes this
If you love the Elise, drive a Se7en - Caterham or whatever...
It has even less content than the Elise, is less graceful looking
...and changes direction like a ping pong ball whacked by Thor.
#3
Posted 25 May 2008 - 11:54 AM
If you are wanting a uniform look with no bulbs showing then Cadillac has the answer. Their early CTS cars have the absolute best LED solution as far as I am concerned. The lens illuminates as if it were one bulb and looks fabulous as far as a LED tail light goes. The solution they use is to insert a milky white egg-crate style plastic between the bulbs and the outer lens which then diffuses the light so they appear to be one solid light. I'm sure for racing this isn't going to be an issue for you but as far as the aesthetic value of a street car I would use a diffuser lens.
The only other thing you may have to check out is the draw from the unit itself. Since LED's take less current the blinker unit sometimes has to be fooled to think there is a proper draw on the system or they blink abnormally fast. Units are available to solve this issue. I believe they just put some resistance in the line to the blinker unit to get them to work normally again. JS
EDIT:For anyone wanting to do this just remember one thing. Once you cut the back of the tail light out there is no going back unless you can refit the piece you just cut out. Or you will need a new unit. So make sure it is the look you want before you do it or have an extra light to play around with. JS
If you want one of these Logos send me a PM
Austin Mini Van with DOHC Honda HP
http://www.angelfire.com/droid/strudel
Honda reliability and power combined with Mini cachet and style.
#4
Posted 25 May 2008 - 12:40 PM
For a really neat trick, wire your reverse light into the brake light. It will totally screw up anyone behind you!
#5
Posted 25 May 2008 - 08:33 PM
Or wire your gas pedal to your brake lights!
#6
Posted 25 May 2008 - 10:19 PM
Or wire your friends brake light switch....................TO THE HORN!!!!
WARNING: May result in fits of laughter at poor guy driving car off down the street!
Good work on the LED's too!
James
#7
Posted 26 May 2008 - 08:11 AM
WARNING: May result in fits of laughter at poor guy driving car off down the street!
Not just the brake light switch, the Brakes!
#8
Posted 26 May 2008 - 08:39 AM
#9
Posted 26 May 2008 - 12:05 PM
nice job I think i will have to keep my eye out as well.
There is this guy.....and we think just having LEDs is a cool idea....
here is his project thread on how he did it with instructions so you can do it too.....
http://www.hidplanet.......asc&start=0
Edited by CarNutCertifies, 26 May 2008 - 12:20 PM.
87 CRX DX "Parts Car"
86 CRX SI "Currently being built" DD
86 CRX DX "The Project" -(retired) - stripped
71 Chevy PU
81 Chevy PU
01 Dodge Ram 1500 (sold/traded)
97 Honda prelude DD
92 Jeep Cherokee "Slug" (parts)
91 Jeep Cherokee "Slug II"
92 Ford Probe GT Turbo: it blew up, got stripped, and then crushed....back to my CRX...What was I thinking...Oh yea it was free.
Ford........At least they circled the problem...
38 Desoto 2 door sedan (a project that I will someday get around to)
#10
Posted 26 May 2008 - 07:58 PM
nice job I think i will have to keep my eye out as well.
There is this guy.....and we think just having LEDs is a cool idea....
here is his project thread on how he did it with instructions so you can do it too.....
http://www.hidplanet.......asc&start=0
I've followed that thread for a while. Lots of reading if you follow the whole thing. He did a great job. JS
If you want one of these Logos send me a PM
Austin Mini Van with DOHC Honda HP
http://www.angelfire.com/droid/strudel
Honda reliability and power combined with Mini cachet and style.
#11
Posted 26 May 2008 - 09:48 PM
i wish they make one in a rectangle..
#12
Posted 27 May 2008 - 02:13 AM
DO NOT CHANGE OUT THE FRONT INCANDESCENT LAMPS...
YOU NEED SOME AMP DRAW/RESISTANCE TO WORK THE FLASHER...
TOO LOW(ALL LED LIGHTS) THE FLASHER WILL NOT FLASH THE TURN SIGNALS...
KEEP THE FRONT ONES STOCK, IT STILL SHOULD WORK NORMALLY.
OR GET A LED FLASHER,BUT THEN YOUR COMMITTED TO ALL LEDS IN YOUR LAMP CIRCUITS..
good luck,that looks really like a nice upgrade,they never burn out,and your amp draw will be ALOT less.
better to be thought the fool..
rather then to open one's mouth and confirm it
use may include risk factors these include;anal leakage,oily discharge,copious flatulence,bloating,incontinence,erectile dysfunction,body rejecting genitals,a racing or severely diminished heart rate/including death. discontinue use if health insurance ends,or patient turns blue and doctor leaves after declaring patient has died...your results may vary
#13
Posted 27 May 2008 - 04:17 AM
#14
Posted 27 May 2008 - 08:38 AM
years ago, with the intention of using them in a car at some point, but I could never figure out how to do it nicely. After seeing what you did, and what the guy did with the Integra, I came up with a cunning plan. I removed the red diffuser with a dremel, and removed the LED panel inside. I then cut a slice in the back of the tail light and managed to finagle the lamp board in, and mounted it on some standoffs that I salvaged from the original light bucket. So it's a bit of a hybrid of what you did and what the Teg guy did. Mine is definitely WAY more ghetto than either of them, so no pics... They are SUPER bright, I'm quite happy with the result, unlike those auto specific LED bulbs that I bought. The teg is only on the road for a few more weeks anyway, so next time I'll do it right.
Tom
#15
Posted 27 May 2008 - 09:32 AM
i think it would look awesome to tint the tail lights so they blend in with the rer garnish but you need lights that are bright enough.
you're in california of coarse it's ILLEGAL!!!!!