I am considering designing something for the rear lights in my Z. I am wanting to convert them to LED. All of the LED conversions I've seen just don't look that special on the Z32, whilst they look better than stock, when illuminated, the LEDs are very defined and I've never seen anyone make them illuminate the complete area the bulbs did. The nice radius of the edges is lost and I want a more even glow.

 

I am wondering if anyone here would know whether a contoured PCB with wave soldered micro/nano LEDs would work effectively? You'll not only get rid of the dots that large standard size LEDs emit but also, being more compact, you'd also be able to match the radius of the edges.

 

I don't know much about micro LED technology, so any input would be great.

 

I am concerned about being able to create a 2 stage system like the rear lights/brake light. Not sure on the boundaries on micro-LEDs and wiring.

 

In effect, I want to create 2 thin PCBs with wave soldered LEDs that can simply be placed behind the defusers in the rear lights.

 

Not sure how do-able this would be.

 

Edited September 9, 200817 yr by FunkySi

not at all, but thats where the possible cutting out of the rear light moulding comes in, if you cant get the board far enough away from the diffuser.

I found that with the reverse light lense at least that the moulded part of the bulb holder as it bowls out ends up only a few millimetres away from the lense

making placing the board onto the complete contour of the lense not possible without losing some plastic. This may not be the case with the rear lights, i will take apart a spare pair i have here to see whats possible.

 

 

And off topic, by the way i did some pods for transmandan in white and i have to say they looked pretty cool, more of an updated stock look but crisper.

what you could potentially do is use a clear diffuser before the red diffuser so the light would have been defracted through two lenses thus using a smaller gap between the two!

I get what you mean, it will be a case of trial and error on that one, possibly a frost filter lighting gel, i used some for the auto selector so that you couldnt see a point of source.

 

 

It's more of the fact that, SMD LEDs on a PCB are dark, the reflector is mirrored, so the lenses from the outside view will look old and dirty.

What about, mirror finish film, used for car windows, thats probably what you meant anyway by the chrome coated film, it will let the light out well but you wont see the leds through the lens when off. if the leds didnt seem bright enough for the sidelights then a less wattage resistor can be used to reach the desired effect

Yeah, needs to be mirrored enough to give the effect of having a chrome coating like the original reflector.

What about, mirror finish film, used for car windows, thats probably what you meant anyway by the chrome coated film, it will let the light out well but you wont see the leds through the lens when off. if the leds didnt seem bright enough for the sidelights then a less wattage resistor can be used to reach the desired effect

 

just got to be a bit careful with this as i did that mod a couple of years ago with chrome film. they look great at night but the sun reflects off them so badly you can't actually see the lights!!!

I guess you mean the film is too reflective that the reflection cancels out the brightness emitted by the lights? I was wondering the same thing too, but if you have the original diffuser still in situ, it should be no more reflective than the stock backing?

I guess you mean the film is too reflective that the reflection cancels out the brightness emitted by the lights? I was wondering the same thing too, but if you have the original diffuser still in situ, it should be no more reflective than the stock backing?

 

i applied the film to clear diffusers

Oh right, I see.

 

Wondering what they'd be like with the original diffusers left in....ie, in place of the reflector.

Few more pics for comparison.

 

Tiny LED's but HUGE picture!

you can buy ready made led bulb style lights which fit in existing bulb holder and im sure leds are capable of increased voltage.. which in turn increases intensity....to get very bright leds they need to flash with an even higher voltage they can not take it continously so a flashing circuit is used very fast to quick for naked eye..

you can buy all this stuff already made indicator bulbs made with yellow leds etc etc ..

i got mine from maccess carparts (gone bust now though )

try this site for all types of led lighting etc plus othe odd stuff. http://www.virtualviliage.com

Edited December 17, 200817 yr by Stevie007

whoops http://www.virtualvillage.com

 

fat fingers sorry...lol

you can buy ready made led bulb style lights which fit in existing bulb holder and im sure leds are capable of increased voltage.. which in turn increases intensity....to get very bright leds they need to flash with an even higher voltage they can not take it continously so a flashing circuit is used very fast to quick for naked eye..

you can buy all this stuff already made indicator bulbs made with yellow leds etc etc ..

i got mine from maccess carparts (gone bust now though )

 

Do you honstly think Si will fit those :rofl: he wants an even glow over the whole lense. With what you said you will have 2 bright spots were the bulbs are.

 

Si as for the light on the dash take the bulb out :tongue: also in the rear lense it is not really reflected but just white plastic. Could the circuit board not be sprayed white before the leds go on??

I'd rather smear faeces all over my interior!

 

I'll get my camera.

Si, do you realise you've said..

Oh right

 

6 times so far in this thread :)

Ops double post!

Edited December 17, 200817 yr by FunkySi

I've spoken to a few prototyping companies. Looking to get something designed up in the new year. :)

 

 

Si, do you realise you've said..

 

6 times so far in this thread :)

 

 

Oh right.