carologist

Ok guys I got board and wanted to black out my headlights so i got thinking that i could do something cool with a auxilery lighting (Audi DRL). I have be playing around with leds and some possible lighting ideas and would like some feed back. I need to know what thickness to use and what shape. As far a lighting up the Items I got that covered and have some ideas that might be realy cool but that is down the road.... So on to the Pictures... Please Keep In mind that the Light will extend to the end of the Head Light housing in both directions.

Picture #1 Thickness of Light is 3/8" we will call this lay out #1


Picture #2 the light will replace the Chrome strip in the Turn Signal


Picture #3 same Design just 1/4" thick


Picture #4 back to 3/*" thick with Parking Light on



Picture#5 1/4" we will call this lay out #2 the bend is not corect but i think you get the idea


Picture #6 Lay out #1 3/8" think light not quit so close to the car

boyhamdzui

iTrader: (1)

They may look nice but question about reliability of the LED.

carologist

Not worried about that. I am just trying to figure out a few other things first. I have made some led items in the past with good success. I am toying around a few different lighting options right now. LEDS are on the top of that list but not by much.

ez12a

what about taking out the silver line around the turn signal and putting the LEDs there? I think that'd look nice..if it's too long you can curve it along with the signal to the bottom.

Brandon21

Interesting. For sure go with the 1st option. It would be interesting to see how this turns out... Might be a little to audi-ish, pretty similar to the newer A4 lights.

pjillta

is there anyway you can get a longer one, atleast get the front part to go all the way to the grill. seems a bit short since our headlights are soo wide

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Have the strip start in the very front corner, extend it down the front to where the turn signal diffuser starts, then track it up and run it down the silver strip line all the way to the back. To me, going completely front to back in the light is a must.

I didn't think I could say it but that idea would be pretty original. I though we've all done about what we can with the headlights.

carologist

keep it coming. Thanks for the feed back Guys. it is going to be one of those things if i can make it look right it won't happen.

@ez12a - that is what the plan is looking like.

@Brandon21 - the A4 is spawned this idea

@pjillta - this is just a test the finish product will extend the entire width of the light

@Maharajamd - I am learning very quikly some cool things, expect if this turns out well a completely new tail light unlike any thing that has been seen.

omnuts

some interesting combos, I like option 1 starting from the end where the strip is

RealSteiner

I love the idea and creativity. For sure layout #1 over 2, not a big fan of the latter. What if the led was extended the full length of the chrome piece inside of the light? I think that would look much better and more natural.

ashdec87

I say go with the replacement of the chrome.

I've seen cars try to copy the A4 look, and unless its done REALLLY well, it looks just like an imitation and looks cheap.

bforbrian

iTrader: (11)

Our headlights just don't accommodate an LED strip very well.... if it isn't going to be linear, it won't look good.

carologist

When you say "linear" what are you referring to the light out put.

snake134

iTrader: (1)

^^^i think he means the LED strip straightened out. im not a fan of the bends myself

mjcatalana

How about the reverse of Pic #5. Sort of like a Nike swoosh design?

carologist

I need Test Headlights. PM me if you have any (Broken ones, working ones. dont care too much). Just some thing that i can take apart and design the Plexi parts and try out different lay outs and really get a good idea how i am going to do this.

@mjcatalana - the thought has come across my mind. I have a few things to conciser when laying out the design. These plexi parts are going to be lit with one or Two LEDS from the ends so there must be room for that on the end


One i get some test headlights i will be tests different layouts.

ez12a

Another thing to note about the strip, depending on where you live the white light towards the side may be illegal. Not entirely sure.

Audis and Lexus' headlights are not wrap around like the TL, Plus the LEDs are "directed" towards the front, resulting in the decorative lighting being only visible from the front.