DIY LED Corner Reflectors
12-15-2006, 06:37 AM
#1
DIY LED Corner Reflectors
Lots of people swap out the orange corner reflectors with the clear ones available from a few places. I did too a few months ago but wanted to get them to light up. Similar to the way I did my interior door reflectors Link I purchased three LED's and a matching resistor and built a small array which I wrapped in heat shrink and electrical tape. Once I got into the headlight area Link things were pretty easy.
Here's a handy LED calculator wizard to help you out: http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz. You need the diode's voltage and current ratings. I use 13.6 volts as my source voltage rather than 12 volts to give a bit of allowance for higher voltages at higher RPMs.
First I pulled out the clear reflectors and used the old stock orange ones for a drill guide. I drilled out the three nipples that are molded into the reflector with a drill bit of a matching diameter to the LED's.
With the holes popped through the orange reflectors I lined them up carefully over the tops of the clear ones. Note that there are differences between the left and right reflector so make sure you're using the right template reflector with the right target one.
Once the holes are drilled through I took the LED's and popped them into the holes, bent wires and soldiered them up like I did with the door interior reflectors (see link #1 above). Note that I have the output wires running off in the wrong direction for this the driver's side reflector.
I used three feet worth of 16 guage speaker wire I had laying around for the lead wires. Once in place I trimmed the wires to lenght. A bit of super glue dropped around the base of each LED locked it in place. it doesn't rain here but a handful of times a year and when it does my Z stays home ... but it was recommended to me that if you do rain that you ought to cover the back of the LEDs with epoxy. I used a wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector. Note the red pen denoting which way is up on the reflector
I ran the wires up along side the hood release cable and to the stock parking light bulb's wires. You could also use the turn indicator's wires if you wanted them to blink with the turn signals with no change to the circuit.
Here's a close up on the wires. The 3M slice connectors make good tight connections. I wrap these things in electrical tape afterwards tightly to prevent them from unsnapping or creating a rattle.
Here's a picture taken in the deep shade of my garage. These things are bright bright bright and will be visible in full day light.
Here's one with the camera set to automatic taken real close to sunset. It's a whole bunch darker than this picture makes it look to be here.
And here's one that been taken with the camera set to -3 stops. These lights are bright!
Source: http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm
Part Number: RL5-W8045 (8000 mcd/45 degrees)
Price each: $0.99
On my difficulty scale this one rates a two and a half out of five mainly for the tiny solidering needed to get the LED's linked without melting them down.
"-ZZz-"
Here's a handy LED calculator wizard to help you out: http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz. You need the diode's voltage and current ratings. I use 13.6 volts as my source voltage rather than 12 volts to give a bit of allowance for higher voltages at higher RPMs.
First I pulled out the clear reflectors and used the old stock orange ones for a drill guide. I drilled out the three nipples that are molded into the reflector with a drill bit of a matching diameter to the LED's.
With the holes popped through the orange reflectors I lined them up carefully over the tops of the clear ones. Note that there are differences between the left and right reflector so make sure you're using the right template reflector with the right target one.
Once the holes are drilled through I took the LED's and popped them into the holes, bent wires and soldiered them up like I did with the door interior reflectors (see link #1 above). Note that I have the output wires running off in the wrong direction for this the driver's side reflector.
I used three feet worth of 16 guage speaker wire I had laying around for the lead wires. Once in place I trimmed the wires to lenght. A bit of super glue dropped around the base of each LED locked it in place. it doesn't rain here but a handful of times a year and when it does my Z stays home ... but it was recommended to me that if you do rain that you ought to cover the back of the LEDs with epoxy. I used a wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector. Note the red pen denoting which way is up on the reflector
I ran the wires up along side the hood release cable and to the stock parking light bulb's wires. You could also use the turn indicator's wires if you wanted them to blink with the turn signals with no change to the circuit.
Here's a close up on the wires. The 3M slice connectors make good tight connections. I wrap these things in electrical tape afterwards tightly to prevent them from unsnapping or creating a rattle.
Here's a picture taken in the deep shade of my garage. These things are bright bright bright and will be visible in full day light.
Here's one with the camera set to automatic taken real close to sunset. It's a whole bunch darker than this picture makes it look to be here.
And here's one that been taken with the camera set to -3 stops. These lights are bright!
Source: http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm
Part Number: RL5-W8045 (8000 mcd/45 degrees)
Price each: $0.99
On my difficulty scale this one rates a two and a half out of five mainly for the tiny solidering needed to get the LED's linked without melting them down.
"-ZZz-"
Last edited by Paul350Z; 12-23-2006 at 12:44 PM.
12-15-2006, 08:52 AM
#4
^ +1 yea i was thinking of the same.
i want to do this myself cause Paul350z's write up seems fairly easy (i hope)
Questions:
1) Where did you get the wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector?
2) You bought the RL5-R3545 (Red LEDs)....which white led did you buy?
3) Which end is the + and which is - ?
4) What is an alligator clip?
i want to do this myself cause Paul350z's write up seems fairly easy (i hope)
Questions:
1) Where did you get the wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector?
2) You bought the RL5-R3545 (Red LEDs)....which white led did you buy?
3) Which end is the + and which is - ?
4) What is an alligator clip?
Last edited by stogey420time; 12-15-2006 at 09:12 AM.
12-17-2006, 07:29 AM
#5
Registered User
Great Mod !! ... To Buy these the Price is Total Crazy !!!.. Going to try it on my Silver Crome Lights but am looking for some of the new led bulbs that are shaped to fit snug in shape of drilled holes ??? Thank's & Again, a Great Mod & Write Up ....
12-17-2006, 08:12 AM
#6
New Member
iTrader: (18)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Posts: 5,668
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by stogey420time
^ +1 yea i was thinking of the same.
i want to do this myself cause Paul350z's write up seems fairly easy (i hope)
Questions:
1) Where did you get the wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector?
2) You bought the RL5-R3545 (Red LEDs)....which white led did you buy?
3) Which end is the + and which is - ?
4) What is an alligator clip?
i want to do this myself cause Paul350z's write up seems fairly easy (i hope)
Questions:
1) Where did you get the wire anchor to hold the wire assemble to the reflector?
2) You bought the RL5-R3545 (Red LEDs)....which white led did you buy?
3) Which end is the + and which is - ?
4) What is an alligator clip?
please remind me to rag on you at the next meet, hehe. LOL
12-17-2006, 11:32 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was planning on doing this mod also.
Do you think the RL5-W8045 from SuperbrightLeds.com will work?
Also, I am a n00b with wiring LEDS, do you think the attached wiring diagram will work?
I don't really know the voltage drop across these leds nor the desired current (mA).
Do you think the RL5-W8045 from SuperbrightLeds.com will work?
Also, I am a n00b with wiring LEDS, do you think the attached wiring diagram will work?
I don't really know the voltage drop across these leds nor the desired current (mA).
Trending Topics
12-17-2006, 04:01 PM
#9
Registered User
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: WSU
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, crazy I was just doing research on this the other day, im going to be doing this very soon except with alot more leds (as many as I can fit on there) and then wiring them to my turn signals. Looks nice though.
12-18-2006, 05:38 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Xenor
I was planning on doing this mod also.
Do you think the RL5-W8045 from SuperbrightLeds.com will work?
Also, I am a n00b with wiring LEDS, do you think the attached wiring diagram will work?
I don't really know the voltage drop across these leds nor the desired current (mA).
Do you think the RL5-W8045 from SuperbrightLeds.com will work?
Also, I am a n00b with wiring LEDS, do you think the attached wiring diagram will work?
I don't really know the voltage drop across these leds nor the desired current (mA).
Google LED calculator for help.
12-19-2006, 04:53 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paul, you've inspired me. I plan to use my amber 06' reflectors as a guide and place 7 (or more) RL5-W8045 white LEDs in my clear ones on each side.
I ordered my resistors and other parts on Sunday. Hopefully before next 07' I'll get started on these.
I also ordered a few red LEDs to do my door reflectors per another one of your threads.
I ordered my resistors and other parts on Sunday. Hopefully before next 07' I'll get started on these.
I also ordered a few red LEDs to do my door reflectors per another one of your threads.
Last edited by Xenor; 12-19-2006 at 05:04 PM.
12-23-2006, 12:43 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Agentman03
Paul Maybe you could list the led Part Numbers, and Available suppy source, and price, to complete a Great Mod Write Up ? ps: nice looking "Z" ...
Source: http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm
Part Number: RL5-W8045 (8000 mcd/45 degrees)
Price each: $0.99
If you wanted to go even brighter try the RL5-W18030 (18000 mcd/30 degrees) at the same price as the white lens will disfuse the light.
12-24-2006, 08:01 PM
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paul, cool, thanks for verifying. Luckily I ordered a few dozen of those W8045 LEDs and some bulk resistors. I have lots of other LED projects I'd like to tackle.
My parts should be here on the 27th. I'll post my results. Thanks for the "how to" and idea. The 06' reflectors seem quite a bit different so, my design is going to be a little different.
My parts should be here on the 27th. I'll post my results. Thanks for the "how to" and idea. The 06' reflectors seem quite a bit different so, my design is going to be a little different.
12-25-2006, 05:43 PM
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thank goodness someone make one of these threads.. i don't have a Z to play around with.. but after seeing the insane prices people would pay to buy something like this? sheesh..
if anyone in the bay area needs help.. give me a hollar.
if anyone in the bay area needs help.. give me a hollar.
