Raptor's LED Taillight Retrofit
 

I'm getting tired of the crappy light output my aftermarket LED taillights put out. Running lights are okay, but the difference in brightness from running lights to brake lights makes me feel uneasy about traffic behind me when I look at Cadillac or other OEM LED housings. Also, the chrome looked cheesy and even with my niteshade, it doesn't match the truck at all. So, I decided to pull my OEM housings down from the cobwebs and bring them back with a bang. The plan is to paint them black (Harley-Davidson style) and add a chipboard of self-made PCBs of superflux LEDs to them. The reverse light will retain my V-LEDs 60-SMT 3156 bulb.

Now:

https://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/DSC_2208.jpg


First off, I knew I want performance when it comes to LEDs. I had many choices, LiteOn Piranhas, Osram, Agilent, Cree's, Philips Lumileds or Luxeons, and many more. Since I am so fond of Philips products, I set out on their name. A few minutes of searching and I found what I wanted, and for a good price too.

Philips Superflux Lumileds (P/N: HPWT-DH00-G4000)
Viewing Angle: 70 degrees
Output 4.2 lumens (EACH) @ 70mA
Color: 620nm (red/orange)
Base: Sq. 4-pin 0.2" grid spacing, PCB
Price: $15 for a tube of 60

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...es/G16750B.jpg

My controller is a PWM with an integrated voltage regulator on a PCB printed by a well-known guy in the LED industry (azDave), and his products are fantastic. This PWM is specially made for 12vDC output on tri-wired, negatively-grounded vehicles. It can handle up too 400 superflux LEDs and with a little modification, 800 more. The two Sharp voltage regulator handles from 0-20vDC and converts it to 12.3vDC for a safe, and long LED life. The potentiometer also is able to adjust the running lights brightness.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...121/LEDPWM.jpg

My wiring diagram (still shopping for PCB):

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...121/wiring.jpg

Main light and marker light array:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...21/array-1.jpg

Lets begin! I have quite a bit of electrical hardware, but to be sure I wasn't scouting the garage for some measly piece, I bought this at Wal-mart, for $15! (The case, all the other stuff is relative things I pulled from the garage)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3299.jpg

My old housings:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3297.jpg

Whenever I attempt a mod that is new to me, I always have to learn as I'm doing this. And since I always mess up somehow on the first one, I'm retrofitting the pax side before I do the drivers side. Opened up:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3300.jpg

Oxidation has gotten to the chrome and darkened it a bit. As you can see when I have a complete housing paired next to the red lens:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3301.jpg

But that's okay- it will all be getting painted gloss black anyways. Here is the general layout of my PCB/LEDs:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3302.jpg

Since I'm getting a set of 60, that 30 per housing, and since I have side-markers (see below) that leaves me about 28 to lay out, so I'm probably going to do a 4x7 setup. And, they will be caddy style. So the two nearest columns will be at ~40% intensity for running lights. And for brake/turn, all four columns will go to 100% intensity.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3304.jpg

Perf board (2), for trim and fit. I might be painting these as well, to blend in better.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2.../boardperf.jpg

So as of right now I'm awaiting arrival of all my products (including the 5000K 50W replacement bulbs from TRS, pics will be available in my realignment thread upon arrival). Next week I'll start my CHMSL.


Stay tuned :wave:

Okay, punk. You have now added a new project to my list...:mad:

I'm glad summer is coming! Now I need to find a set of decent shape tail lights...

Once I perfect the process I could toss around the idea of making another set for a small fee should you or anyone else be interested.

Sub'd

Looks like it will be a good project. Can't wait to see the final product :thumbsup:

so you are mr. dont use drop in hid's because it blinds people but now are putting in super bright lights that will be aimed at peoples faces in the car behind you stopped at an intersection?

:coffee: Congratulations, you're comparing 6,000 lumens versus 50 lumens....

If you want to complain, to complain to the FMVSS and ECE since they are the one who legalizes these (GMC Arcadia, all Cadillacs, Nissan Murano/Altima/GT-R, and just about all European vehicles).

But in short to answer your question- yes :D

I would rather have too much light out back than not enough. Especially with the idiots texting and driving and that crap out there

I agree. Of all the lights on a vehicle you want to get people to notice, stop lights are top of the list.

Subscribed....awaiting the final product....:lurk:

Insides painted.... they're kinda darker. I was hoping for more of a noticeable difference. I'm not too happy about the amount of red on my white truck...

Niteshade?

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3309.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3310.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC_3312.jpg

VHT for sure. They look better but they need to be darker IMO

Erg. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that. I'm not too great at tinting taillights.

And don't anyone dare say "take it to a shop" unless its followed by: "whats your paypal, I'll cover it for ya!" :p

Take it to the shop.......Here's my payapl MONEYBAGS@jacka$$.com :D

Seriously I'm not that great at it either. I need to get a set of LED tails for my truck and get them professionally done argh! I agree with you though, your truck doesn't look right with that Cherry Red taillights. That's why I tinted mine, to get rid of that cherry red tails

Well even if they were pink I'd still want them. Form > Functions for me. If these are even twice as bright as my old ones I'd be tickled.

yeah true. I need to find some LED tails that flow with my truck for some reason that is very hard to do.

Sorry don't wanna jack your thread. I know you'll do a good job with these, you do a great job on the Retrofit :beers: