PLEASE READ THE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THIS POST - I'D LIKE YOUR DIRECTION BEFORE I COMMIT TO ESTABLISHING A BOM

Alright, so I've chewed through the last of my 5mm Red LEDs, but we've now got a good idea of how this looks. IMHO, this turned out more aggressive than I thought it would! There's some diffuser bleed-through, so we're going to have to tackle that before I proceed. Enough, time for the pics!







BLEED-THROUGH
Obviously we can see some bleed through close-up. I changed the aperture setting to JUST get the glow of the LED to ensure you understand what you're seeing. The



QUESTION TIME

1.) Proceed with a full prototype using the breadboard? There will still be minimal bleed through. SOLUTION: CUSTOM PCB...BUT...This will jack up the cost at least $100 per pair. There will be no bleed through.

2.) For the turn, this model is a go...for the 4C guys, would you rather see 1 row on top an bottom or two? THERE WILL ONLY BE 5 ROWS FOR TURN

 

I say keep going, looking good so far

 

ILL !!!!

DM why would you mod the 2G lights...do the 3G side first

 

NO! 2G first!!!

 

love it so far! i dont really care about the bleed through.

 

Yeah I think we're all pretty excited to see how it all looks. Keep going.

 

1. full prototype with breadboard. The bleed through isn't bad at all so far...

2. just run 1 row, i think if you try and run 2 rows they will end up to close.

3G's have all kinds of options for custom tails already, us on the 2G side have 2 choices, red/clear or red/amber that's all.

 

Alright, fellas...IT'S ON. I'm going to start ordering parts tomorrow night. I am going to try and source things as local as possible so we can have a completed set for test asap.

Thanks for your input, all - please chime in on the 4C turn signal option. FYI: Should this pan out, I will offer brake/running in '4' style only; ALL turn options will be available upon the buyers request.

 

So what style are you making as a test run 4b?

The more I look at it, I might like 4c more now, kind of cleaner.

 

They already have 3 or 4 led tail lights for that car. Thats why. lol

 

Great work so far.

I'd like to see it with PLCC-2 or maybe even Superflux LED's. Packing them tighter together might help with the lens distortion. A lot of guys don't like LED's behind a pillowed lens, but in my opinion, it creates a really cool effect.

Oh, and I love the rear fog idea since you can include it and let the individual determine if they want to wire it up or not.

 

Thanks, dude! Superflux bleed like CRAZY, I have some pics, but they're not even worth posting - it's too severe to even consider. PLCC-2, if that route were to be pursued we're talking custom etched board...and while I'm still offering that option, again, cost would be the killer

 

I like where this is heading.

I think I missed this part...but are you using white leds or red leds?

 

for the 4c option i agree to just run one row as well. its looking sick though! always checking back for updates

 

I'm just following to see the end result. You are a badazz.

 

Ah, that's a bummer. I guess one with a tighter viewing angle wouldn't help either. The way the tail light lens has that "fun house mirror" effect on the LED optics is going to be a tough one to figure out.

I did a quick online quote for PCB fabrication, and it looks like it would add between 15 and 30 dollars per tail light. Less, if the order is for more than 10. That's not too bad if it saves you some time and labor.

 

UPDATE
All components have been ordered and are due to arrive next week. If all goes well we should have a fully functional set by Thanksgiving weekend.

FYI: There's over 600 LEDs in one pair alone, folks.

 

 

 

600 LEDs? do you have an estimated cost for us yet?

 

Not yet, it all depends on how much time these are going to take to make. Not going to be cheap, but they're certainly not going to break the bank, either.

 

So the plan would be to ship you our lights, you do the job and send them back? Man the down time for some of us is going to be tough.

 

Is there a way you could put a diffuser in there? I like the uniform look of the Deville tails

 

Yeah, but that'd require the entire layout be changed. Nonetheless, something like this could be used:



BUT, if you want the 'Deville' look, if you source the diffuser in a 3.5"x15" sheet, I'd make it work for you at the same cost of the standard set.

 

That would be great! What type of material should I be looking at?


Here more examples of the look I'm going for

 

Keep up the good work!!!

Just sold my 2g today, but am looking for a 3g. Love your led work on your 3g.

 

Jesus Christ, those NSX tails are $2k.

 

do you mind if i ask you how much did you sell if for and miles on it?

 

PM that kinda stuff, this thread is about badass tail lights.

 

Yea, I'm pretty sure they could make anything you asked them to, but who wants to spend that much on lights? At least they come with a warranty.

 

UPDATE

DESIGN UPDATE
After talking things over with some people via PM, it would appear as though the running/brake will be one portion of the design and is locking in via VERSION 4.

Turn is going to be another story. There will be a prototype board options AND a PCB option available for turn - reason being is that the prototype board is not going to look as clean as a PCB for those with clean turns.

 

Alright, folks...this system is a GO! I should have a full set of prototype running/brake boards by Monday!

 

looking forward to moar pics

 

Can't wait to see the prototype done. Great job thus far.

 

How is this thing coming? I was thinking about something like this but I wouldn't know where to start hahah

 

Dan...your audience graciously awaits.

 

 

Rest assured, fine folks, the gears are still churning on my end. The first running/turn is 90% done, just need to added in resistors and test fit. I'm leaning more towards making ALL boards PCB...there will only be ONE set of prototypes produced, and probably a very, VERY limited run of boards, perhaps 5 pair total - this takes MANY, MANY hours to produce!

Been a hectic week with all of the holidays and pregnancy portraits up by Ft.Washington...and before I was ready to melt some solder core my hot water heater took a crap

I'll get some updated pics tomorrow!

 

Take your time, just keep us updated lol.

 

I desperately want one of the 5