23 replies to this topic

[Rusty789]

So as a bit of a follow on from Darcini's thread, I've been toying with this idea for a while now, I bought the rear light over a year ago, this weekend I finally got round to hacking it apart!

Here are the results and current plan:







Create a lovely little circuit board to fit in this gap, solder in some LED's and boosh!



Here is the layout I'd like it to have when finished, so it utilises the reflectors and gives more light on the rear end.



There are a few problems with this, I don't have enough red lenses, so I'm not sure how it would take to paint, if it looks crap I'll have to go down another avenue.

They technically won't be road legal, but that's the same with a lot of things...

Any thoughts? Improvements?

[Sammy]

The standard rear lights look great as they are IMO. Especially the tail lights.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Quite like the idea but I think you should swap the tail lights with the indicators position, I seem to recall something about having the main rear light markers needing to be located at the outermost points of the vehicle? I may be wrong but it's one more technicality to bare in mind. The main benefit of your lense shuffling as I see it is acquiring a separate dedicated brake light, I never like the way on any vehicle where the tail lights simply get a bit brighter. Other than that it seems a lot of work when the overall look will not have changed much and you could of just put in regular LED replacement bulbs. When I eventually get hold of a rear cluster I intend moulding in LED ring units similar to the Elise.

[Rusty789]

The standard rear lights look great as they are IMO. Especially the tail lights.

They will hardly look any different, a very slight change in lens colour, but I'd be surprised if anyone noticed without being told!

Quite like the idea but I think you should swap the tail lights with the indicators position, I seem to recall something about having the main rear light markers needing to be located at the outermost points of the vehicle? I may be wrong but it's one more technicality to bare in mind.

Position aren't set yet, and the good thing is all the lenses are the same size so the circuit boards are the same and they're easy to re-arrange

The main benefit of your lense shuffling as I see it is acquiring a separate dedicated brake light, I never like the way on any vehicle where the tail lights simply get a bit brighter.

That's the main reason for switching it about a bit as well, ideally I'm going to have the tail light running at a slightly lower brightness than the brake light as well.

Other than that it seems a lot of work when the overall look will not have changed much and you could of just put in regular LED replacement bulbs. When I eventually get hold of a rear cluster I intend moulding in LED ring units similar to the Elise.

I agree it's a fair bit of work, replacement LED bulbs won't look half as good though. Elise rear lamp units would look cool, but that even more work and a lot of moulding changes!

[Arno]

Will need to stick on some reflectors at MOT time for it to pass..

 

Bye, Arno.

[Chris P Duck]

There are a few problems with this, I don't have enough red lenses, so I'm not sure how it would take to paint, if it looks crap I'll have to go down another avenue.

I've got a red ill swap you for a clear if that helps?

[GF ORCE8]

I´ve done the same thing with a full set of white lenses.

[GF ORCE8]

here some pics:

 

On the first pic the RH indicator (instead of the reflector) fell off on the inside diue to the glueing was not really good.

changed the glue and since then working w/o problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rusty789]

That looks really good with them all clear, a noticeable difference but still subtle. I'm hoping ill be able to find some replacement lenses that look OEM enough, but available new.

[slindborg]

What LEDs are you considering?

[Rusty789]

What LEDs are you considering?

 

I'm going to try a few different combinations and see which work out best, I should have enough ultra bright standard 5mm LED's in work to do a set, I'm 99% sure they will be bright enough, there's probably going to be getting on for approx 100 LED's per lamp.

 

I also want to do a few 10mm versions, purely to see which one turns out better.

 

I also want to try coloured LED's behind clear lenses, coloured LED's behind coloured lenses and white LED's behind coloured lenses.

 

Basically it's all just trial and error at the moment!

[Rusty789]

GF ORCE8, did you source the lens from another car/shop?

[GF ORCE8]

Did all the job based on used VX/Speedster lamps.

Just used LED bulbs.

Have also separated the tail and brake lights, because the "2-wire" led bulbs have hardly any difference in brightness between normal light and brake.

 

Have some pics how I´ve done it will upload later on.

 

Just a note! Clam need additional hole for the indicator instead of reflector because of wiring and bulb fixation

[slindborg]

What LEDs are you considering?

  I'm going to try a few different combinations and see which work out best, I should have enough ultra bright standard 5mm LED's in work to do a set, I'm 99% sure they will be bright enough, there's probably going to be getting on for approx 100 LED's per lamp.   I also want to do a few 10mm versions, purely to see which one turns out better.   I also want to try coloured LED's behind clear lenses, coloured LED's behind coloured lenses and white LED's behind coloured lenses.   Basically it's all just trial and error at the moment!

Plcc4 smd leds are what you want. None of this thru hole shite.

[Rusty789]

Not gonna lie, I've done very little work with surface mount components, which is partially the reason I'm avoiding them, through hole LEDs are also a lot cheaper. Yes smd's have slightly better characteristics but value for money I don't think it's worth it! I'll give it a go with through hole, if I have to start again I'll start again...

[slindborg]

Hmmmmmmm Smd LEDs are a piece of p*ss to work with ime, and give a much more suitable light pattern etc as its the smd LEDs getting the development rather than the old fashioned thru hole stuff. Granted the unit price thing is true, but then if you need less it will probably work out cheaper

[Rusty789]

Your probably right, but I'll give it a go with through hole first as I already have enough components, if I have to go surface mount then I will but I really don't want to! However it ends up there will be more light output than the original candles!! 😃

[slindborg]

You will be surprised what a 5 or 21 w bulb actually puts out light wise. Its just the stupid lens that spoil the party. Two or three cree LEDs would see you chucking more out than you'd know what to do with.

[Enuk]

Was just reading this topic, and wondering if you know where can I get "OEM like" clear lenses? I am struggling to find them. Many Thanks.

[Wolfstone]

http://www.vx220.org...-racing-lenses/