( very) Cheap LED tail light

[gregski]

For some time now I wanted to change my tail light from standard to LED, I know there are number of different units available on the market but they are quite expensive and I wanted to make one myself.
I research the web for some diagrams but couldn't find much about it,
so design my own diagram with a 45 LEDs but that project end up in a bin :/ as I have a small soldering mistake which cost me a whole project, oh well... And just after I thought that is it I saw something on eBay that might do the job.
A flexible string of LEDs
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2385/14092010043.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/14092010043.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

I thought what a great thing I ask the question haw bright they are but got no answer from the seller bought it anyway and well I was surprised when I connect them to the battery they are perfect for the job I thought

so now all i have to do is to get them in shape and fit them inside the existing lamp.



Step 1- design

the Led strips cam in a 24cm length and they can be cut every 3 LEDs, I decided to go with a standard set up one strip will be position (normal) light which will go round close to the edge of the lens and stop in the middle (hope that make sense )

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/694/14092010046.jpg (http://img835.imageshack.us/i/14092010046.jpg/)

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http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5910/15092010048.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/15092010048.jpg/)

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Step 2- putting all the bits together

I mount LEDs on the backplate from my old project using the solid copper wire, the strips are flexible but getting the bend like that was difficult and I need to cut the little pieces of the casing where it was bend.

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/9705/15092010049.jpg (http://img541.imageshack.us/i/15092010049.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3408/15092010051.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/15092010051.jpg/)



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Step 3- testing

As I say before the LEDs are flexible but well not enough as I damage one of the circuits and lost 3 LEDs from my stop light:thumbsdown:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7231/15092010053.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/15092010053.jpg/)

but overall the light look good

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4207/15092010055.jpg (http://img178.imageshack.us/i/15092010055.jpg/)
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8546/15092010057.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/i/15092010057.jpg/)
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4319/15092010058.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/15092010058.jpg/)

......

[gregski]

next is to fit the backplate inside the lens and change the wiring

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1392/15092010059.jpg (http://img375.imageshack.us/i/15092010059.jpg/)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/8599/15092010067t.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/15092010067t.jpg/)

now just fit the lamp on to the bike and what a result

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8603/16092010070.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/i/16092010070.jpg/)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/32/16092010072.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/16092010072.jpg/)

the dark spot on the right side is the damage section of the strip, not a perfect mod but it cost me a fiver and give me some ideas for more tail lights projects.

[gary tompkins]

I bought a pair of these to use as marker lights on trike

Not got round to using them as yet

[uksurfer]

£5 well spent, indicators next?

[gregski]

£5 well spent, indicators next?

maybe :scratch: something to thing about