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1st attempt at LED Turn Signals

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Topic review
   

Expand view Topic review: 1st attempt at LED Turn Signals

by Purple RS » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:47 pm

Basically a separate circuit identical to the one you used on the brake/tail lights to make the different intensities. Just use the two wires for the marker light as inputs (one normal, one brighter for blinker). Connect the other side of the marker to ground. Parallel would effectively do the same thing. Maybe just a little over-engineering on my part :p

by Chris from Washington » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:29 pm

I think what I just decided to do is just run them in parallel with the front markers, so they just flash at the same time. That was the easiest method I came up with.

Yours sounds interesting, I just need to see a diagram. Having a hard time picturing it in my head.

by Purple RS » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:21 pm

Chris from Washington wrote:Here is a schematic of the parking lights.
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/ ... ut_T61.jpg
Does anyone see anything I'm not seeing as to what's going on?
Have you figured this out yet. I just had an idea. The marker doesn't use a real ground, but uses a filament of the park/turn signal light as a ground, so that when one or the other filament is in use, the marker enrgizes. When both are on (or off), the marker is unlit.


Why not run a new ground and use both the 12V signals to a dual intensity type circuit (like the brake and tail circuit), then use that as an input to the side marker? Should be simple enough.

by Chris from Washington » Sun Sep 02, 2007 2:32 pm

Mess around with it a little more today.

The lens on these turn signals were in really bad shape. So since I had them off, decided to try and wet sand them and polish them.

I first sanded with 800 grit, to get rid of the writing that comes on the lens. Then I took 1500 grit, and sanded out most of the scratches from the 800. Then I took 2000 grit, and did a final sanding.

Then I took some Meguiars SCRATCH X, and polished the lens smooth. It turned out pretty good.

I also made a new diffuser to cover the LEDs. This one is cut a little better, and fits the lens better.

Whatcha think?

My nicely sanded lens on the bottom, and the original condition on the top.
Image

Image

Now messing with the LEDs, still trying to do this with no load resistors. The first LED flasher I ordered was defective, but they are sending me a new one so I'm really happy about that.

But here is the next problem I'm finding. If I either remove the bulb or install the LEDs into the turn/parking light in the front. And also keep the marker light in the fender installed. The indicator in the car comes on, and stays on with the parking lights.

So today, I messed around with the marker light. Since I plan on putting LEDs in there too. I put 1 across the leads, and found that this stops the indicator from coming on in the car, and the LED will blink if the parking lights are off. But if I turn them on, it will not.

Here is a schematic of the parking lights.
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/ ... ut_T61.jpg

Does anyone see anything I'm not seeing as to what's going on?

by Chris from Washington » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:00 pm

How wide would your strip be? How many LEDs across?

I"m not sure how that TAC works, but it might do what you need.

by Scarrell » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:57 am

i dont like those that much.. im going to shave the stock tail lights, and then use 12" led strips.. if they have them in seperate 12" strips then id be good to go.

by cargodz » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:07 am

For your truck... why not just integrate one of these Recon White Lightning sticks into the roll pan http://www.realtruck.com/productline/1373/197/1/recon_accessories_white_lightning_led_tailgate_light_bar.html
It does the whole shebang: Running Lights, Turn, Hazards, Brake, and even lights up White for reverse.

by Scarrell » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:26 am

couldnt i use a TAC to make it fully functional?

http://www.fbirides.com/product.asp?idno=8862

by Chris from Washington » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:18 am

Ah turns too.. Until I totally figure out what's going on with the indicators in the Camaro. I don't think I'll do anything that needs blinkers. Turns suck if you want to do it right :(

Another thing I'm thinking of is, all the PC Boards I find are at most 6 inches in length. So I would have to solder/glue 2 together to get a foot in length. So if the tail light you use, isn't defused or somehow not totally transparent. That might show.

by Scarrell » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:03 am

im wanting to do something similair to this, only not a long strip, and in the middle or so, the same size though, as long as they are fully functional, turn signal, breaking..etc..

http://www.xtremelowz.com/vegaschapter/ ... onrear.jpg


basically Caddy tails, but horizontal in the tailgate:

http://www.xtremelowz.com/vegaschapter/nick/nick6.jpg


thinking about.. i think i want them in the roll pan.. i can fit them in either though..

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