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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors01.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors02.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors03.jpg

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 :rolleyes:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors04.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors05.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors06.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors07.jpg

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.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors08.jpg

And here's one that been taken with the camera set to -3 stops. These lights are bright!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...flectors09.jpg

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-"

Nice...you just inspired me.
I'll give it a try.

Any chance of making another set for sale?

Ian

^ +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?

What is an alligator clip? Your kidding me:icon17: please remind me to rag on you at the next meet, hehe. LOL

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).

LMAO....yea i googled it and now know what it is he he

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.

The voltage drop of the LEDs is a given. If you look at the specs of the LEDs you bought, it will give you the typical voltage drop and current. For example, a typical white LED can run at 3.5V @ 20mA.

Google LED calculator for help.

I went with three LED's to match the "three" styling theme that's going on in the Z.

They make LED java script calculators for those that don't know and own Ohm's law.

Wow, very professional job...the results speak for themselves!

Very nice as usual Paul.

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.

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" ...

Ah you're easy!

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.

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.

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.

I have some clear reflectors sitting around, i think ill try this too! Great write up!!

Complete...Today I installed 7 LEDs in my 06' clear reflectors. I'll post some pics later. These things are bright.