LED tails? (Update: LED reverse lights installed!)

[Gustav129]

Looking for an update...

Did you guys end up keeping the LED's on the interior?

[e28Sean]

Good lord, man... This thread is older than dirt!

I'm still running LEDs in the following positions:
- Rear side markers
- Rear parking lights
- Rear turn signals
- Front turn signals
- City lights
- Interior lights
- Reverse lights


Rear parkies, reverse, and turns:


Front turns & city lights:


Rear side parkies:


Interior:



The camera on my iPhone makes the LEDs appear a bit brighter than reality, but... you get the idea.

[Gustav129]

LOL It's not like some that were bumped from 2008 I saw earlier. I just wanted an update, as I am ordering "bulbs" that you and CEK used.

I also had the same problem as CEK on the BMW when I purchased cheaper multi led lights. Only one would work, doesn't matter which bulb.

[e28Sean]

The rear fog light will be using the same LED as the rear parkies, once I finally get off my ass and wire it up. I've only had it on my to-do list for the past two years, so, should have that done any decade now.

[tomcinric]

Sylvania Zevo Bulbs have proven great on my car!

Swapped reverse, brake, turn, sidemarker (front and rear) with LED.

[DavidE9]

Posting for posterity.

I installed LEDs for my turn signals which resulted in hyperflash. I tried a couple different flasher relays, with the following make/model working:

CF13GL-02
superbrightleds.com

Now I have super bright brake and indicator lights with no hyperflash.

[Philo]

Any updates on LED lighting options ? To bad there isn't an all-in-one option that replaces the OE mounting plate.

[Galahad]

...To bad there isn't an all-in-one option that replaces the OE mounting plate.

I hear the siren song of a project I can do...

[Philo]

Do it, PLEASE !!

So the metal power plate for what we have now will provide a mounting plate for a wired LED conversion. At least this is where my brain is going. I'm not sure how you would wire it from the existing wiring harness plug but in concept I think it's doable. Thoughts ?

[e28Sean]

I'd say it's doable. If one were to replace the back side of the light housing with a circuit board populated with LEDs, perhaps....

[Galahad]

I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now, actually. I've figured out most of it, big thing I'm still working out is a mount system. If anyone has ideas (good or otherwise) I'm open to hearing them

[e28Sean]

I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now, actually. I've figured out most of it, big thing I'm still working out is a mount system. If anyone has ideas (good or otherwise) I'm open to hearing them

I'm excited to see what you've come up with!

[Galahad]

I'm excited to see what you've come up with!

Full circuit board replacement, avoid the current power distribution system entirely. I've done some preliminary testing and I should have decent beam pattern and I have a good idea what sort of LED setup I need. I have a couple mounting ideas but I'm not super happy with any of them right now - as much as I'd be willing to use hot glue on my car, that's not exactly a great solution for customers.

[Shawn D.]

Hmm... competition for my LEDs which I haven't produced in ages! I need to get back in production, then!

[e28Sean]

Would this be a full taillamp assembly replacement? I ask because I'm running clear lenses, and although I would love to try out a nice all LED solution, I really like this look.

[Galahad]

Would this be a full taillamp assembly replacement? I ask because I'm running clear lenses, and although I would love to try out a nice all LED solution, I really like this look.

This would be an attachment for the rear of the existing housing, I'm planning on using colored LEDs so you could keep the clears. I'm not a fan of them on chrome but I like the look on shadowline housings.

Hmm... competition for my LEDs which I haven't produced in ages! I need to get back in production, then!

haha, I'd seen old threads about that - I liked the solution but want to go in a slightly different direction. If you do end up making more I can suggest places to get them made if you're interested.

[e28Sean]

This would be an attachment for the rear of the existing housing, I'm planning on using colored LEDs so you could keep the clears. I'm not a fan of them on chrome but I like the look on shadowline housings.

I'm intrigued... Looking forward to seeing more.

[Machtig]

Reviving this thread. Other than an LED specific flasher to correct hyper flash has anyone running LEDs had any issues with triggering lamp or brake light warnings?

[Shawn D.]

Reviving this thread. Other than an LED specific flasher to correct hyper flash has anyone running LEDs had any issues with triggering lamp or brake light warnings?

Yes, it's been discussed in multiple threads. Here's one (please do not complain about the missing photos; if you do, it'll be clear you didn't go through the entire thread): viewtopic.php?t=145409

[Machtig]

thank you sir , missed that one.

[e28Sean]

Would this be a full taillamp assembly replacement? I ask because I'm running clear lenses, and although I would love to try out a nice all LED solution, I really like this look.

This would be an attachment for the rear of the existing housing, I'm planning on using colored LEDs so you could keep the clears. I'm not a fan of them on chrome but I like the look on shadowline housings.

Hmm... competition for my LEDs which I haven't produced in ages! I need to get back in production, then!

haha, I'd seen old threads about that - I liked the solution but want to go in a slightly different direction. If you do end up making more I can suggest places to get them made if you're interested.

Galahad Any updates? Did anything ever come of this? I'd love an update, if there is one. With Shawn D no longer doing his LED shenanigans, someone's got to carry the torch.

[Galahad]

Galahad Any updates? Did anything ever come of this? I'd love an update, if there is one. With Shawn D no longer doing his LED shenanigans, someone's got to carry the torch.

This is still a project I'm working on, and I've solved most of the electrical hurdles. Progress has been a bit slow, I've been prioritizing the E3/E9 and 2002 fuse box products. I haven't come up with a way to mount the circuit board to the existing housing that I'm happy with - trying to not have "hot glue" as the official solution. Feel free to suggest ideas if you have any.

I'm considering redoing the check relay circuit as part of the kit to keep the panel lights acting correctly, depends on exactly how I implement things.

[Philo]

Money in hand waiting.. Please, please please..

[Galahad]

Money in hand waiting.. Please, please please..

noted

[Badger]

I would purchase a set also

[blackmamba]

Hello Galahad

What about something like these to secure the board to the inside of the light, https://www.ezlok.com/for-plastic. These are pretty commonly used by most vehicle manufacturers on tail lights & other applications, they just require small holes to be made then you insert them with heat or possibly some glue if that’s easier, then you use small threaded screws/bolts to attach your piece! Something like this would also work, a bit simpler but also effective I’m sure https://www.amazon.com/Moicstiy-Expansi ... 3e120f2a69. These also would work https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... riEALw_wcB

[Galahad]

Thread inserts are an option I've considered, I'm trying to figure out how much modification to the existing housing is reasonable for a customer to need to do. I don't want to make new lenses unless I have to, the development costs would be quite high.

I finished my PhD and am going full time with HGL, so this should be coming back up as a real project relatively soon.

[e28Sean]

If I can offer my opinion on that.... I think most of us are reasonably handy, what with owning cars that are now several decades old. I'd think that anything that could be done with basic tools (electric drill, screwdriver, wrench/socket set, etc.. ) would be generally acceptable.