Has anyone converted all external lighting to LED?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I've been considering trying to do this for quite awhile now, and am about set on giving it a shot. I've ordered 100 amber LEDs off eBay ($10), first task is to try and knockout the front turn signals on my Barracuda. I will be picking up some PC board from the local Radio Shack and start soldering when the lights get here. I have a feeling it will take a TON of time, little trial and error too...but it should be worth it. For the extra lighting, and less current draw on the system.

Fronts will basically be cut into a square and placed into the stock housings...if I can, I will have a 1157 bulb end so I don't have to modify the factory wiring at all. That may be a little tricky, I've found the housings for doing that..just getting the wire, solder and gun in there...accurately will be a challenge. Tails I have successfully separated the tailights so I can gain access to the inside. License plate light is pretty simple..reverse as well. I may incorporate the "inboard" tailights to come on with the parking lights, since they do nothing but reverse right now. We'll see!

Has anyone done a LED conversion, without the 'drop-in' bulbs? If so, any suggestions or tips on soldering all these LEDs up on the boards? 

Would be converting:
Front parking/turn signals (1157)
Rear parking/brake lights (1157)
License plate light
Reverse lights
Side markers (drop-in replacements)

Should get interesting within the next couple weeks 

[ViperMan]

Woah woah woah, why are you going through all that trouble?

Did you check around for pre-built LED bulbs?  I know that at least Advanced Auto Parts sells a few common bulb sizes IN LED's.  It has the proper base for the socket, but instead of a glass bulb has usually 10 or so LED's in a round-shape pattern.  Simple plug and play.

You can also find a lot of other bulb options through ebay - just type in the size bulb and "LED."

I'll see what I can find for you and post back.

Jeff

[ViperMan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-1157-BAY15D-WHITE-24-LED-TAIL-TURN-BRAKE-BULBS-LIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a570Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem190260771714QQitemZ190260771714

1157's are above.  I don't know the bulb types of the other bulbs and I don't have my 'Cuda here to check (I'm in Ohio) but all I did was type in "1157 LED" to ebay and found... ...945 results.  Most will have buy it now options.

Hope this helps.

Remember if you decide to solder up your own (I built a bank of blue LED's for my headlamps on the Stratus - looked sweet before the guardrail incident...    - you'll need resistors to drop down to the 4.5V or so that LED's operate in.  I can't remember what resistance you need though.

Good luck!  Can't wait to see how it looks.

Jeff

[ViperMan]

P.S.  They'll have different colors too - amber and red, even blues and greens if you look hard enough.

Jeff

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks Viperman, I've definately seen the drop in bulbs, however they just don't seem to cut it for me. I would rather a more 'finished', or filled in/factory like look to them when seen. Maybe it's just me going a little different route than others, little more unique.

Someone sells these for $180 per pair! That looks to be, maximum $20/$30 worth of materials if I did it myself. I would do more lights as well.



It's just the cheaper bulb replacements I have seen, haven't quite done it for me. Also, I have an itch to build something. 


I have found a site that will take all the calculations out of wiring the lights up, for how many and what resistor in each circuit. Basic calculator on their site can tell you what you need for how many lights you are running. Very handy.

[ViperMan]

I'd be careful doing too many bulbs - might just look ridiculous.  You want people to see that you're stopping - not blind them in the process! 

I'd just make sure that the LED's you bought were wide-pattern LED's, not narrow-beam.  That way it'll fill out better and you'll get a more even light disbursement over the lens.

I definitely hear you on wanting to build something - I just wasn't sure if you knew what was already available.  I plan on doing all LED bulbs on the Vip... ...uhm...  new car...  *wink* but will probably just do the drop ins.  I don't really feel like doing all kinds of cutting and wiring on such a car.

Can't wait to see it.  Good luck!

Jeff

[71chally416]

Those little bulbs that aren't much bigger than the base are no brighter than the stockers. You need a BUNCH of LED's to be brighter. That's why they use those circuit boards. Just make sure you use a current limiting resisitor in series or you'll burn them up.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks guys, kinda looking for a little challenge these days. I rather blind people with my brake lights than have 'em smack my car because the stockers are too dim! I'm planning on either 8 or 16 5mm leds around the lense for a dimmer, 'ring' look for running lights. The brake/turn signal circuit will get about the same treatment as the picture I posted above.

After the LEDs, I will have to upgrade my H4 headlights to HID's to finish the lighting off

Found the 72+ round tails separate nice and easy with some help from a heat gun. Loosens the plastic enough to mold the tab out of the way, heat it back up to push it in. Works like a charm 


I will keep this thread updated with progress, basically waiting on things to show up at the moment. Ordered some blank 1156 and 1157 sockets so I do not have to alter my factory sockets at all. Whopping $3 for 8 sockets 

[71chally416]

Current fomula is I(current) = V(voltage)/R(resistance)

An LED doesn't begin to cunduct until the forward voltage is about 1.7 volts (for a standard red LED) so the formula for current for them in a 12v car circuit is I = 10.3 (12v-1.7v) / R.

You'll have to look at the specs for the LED's you're using to get the formula right.     

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks, here is a link to the site I am going to use for the circuits. I am inputting 14v however since that is usually what it is running (engine running)

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

[71chally416]

Cool link! 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Found what looks to be a cheap and effective way to make "angel eyes". I will be attempting to add those as my parking/running lights in the rear. (all four lights).


Basically the look of these, mine will be dimmer since they will be going through the factory red lenses. 

[miketyler]

am interested to see where this goes. You'll have to go with the solid state flasher but thats no biggy. I would like to change up my tail lenses as well.

[ViperMan]

Goody,

That isn't the trick using a wand from a set of window blinds, is it?  I don't think I ever saw anyone pull that off properly....  What method did you find?

Jeff

[miketyler]

yup - you can find CCFL halos pretty cheap actually - the trick is getting them inside your h4 glass housings.