StevenRFrancis

I just recently started a front-end LED conversion. Right now I am prototyping with styles, colors, and number of LEDs. I am placing the LEDs where the front-facing driving/parking lights go. The goal is to make a unit that can easily bolt-in without any modifications being made by the installer, true plug-n-play. My first prototype uses one row of Hyper White for driving/parking and another row on top of that in amber for the turn signal. Unfortunatly the amber is not anywhere near bright enough to be used effectively so I will have to play around for the right combination.

The problem I ran into during wiring was I accidentally joined the parking light wire with the flasher wire. I put it back to how it is supposed to be but now my right turn signal does not work (even if I put the original incandescent bulb back). On my instrument cluster, the right turn signal is always on if I have my parking or headlights on. My hazards and left turn signal work as they should. If I signal right without making the switch click into place, I can signal right, but if I click the switch into place, the right signal just stays on.

The pictures below are of the first prototype. In the end, my goal is to sell the kits for around $80. Please do let me know if you are interested, I am trying to have all testing done by mid-summer. So far, color choices are Hyper White (the all-around preferred color), Natural White (to match stock headlight/fog-light color, and Amber (preliminary tests show these would be ineffective for practical use but may look nice for show purpose.)
I have not done too much research, so I am not sure if similar products are out there already. If there are and they are better, I am sorry.

Thank You,
Steven

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

The fronts have to be Amber, so your first 2 with white LEDs, wouldn't be legal.

I went through the same thing earlier this year & couldn't get a bright enough Amber for the day time, so I ended up went back to incandescent bulbs.

camaronewbie

Here's a thought...
To get bright enough LEDs for the amber, you should search the world for the SMD LED's in an amber color. These suckers are super blinding bright! They are the little tiny flat jobs that are put into the flexible strip lights you see in the autozone type stores. You can't look into them without getting blinded they are so bright. If you could find a square of them on a board in the amber color (like 24 - 3 rows of 8 for the bird lights maybe) - they would definitely make enough light I would think. here's a link to a bulb on ebay so you can see what I'm talking about - do a search for SMD LED to see more:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2pcs-...item27abbc0a7e

StevenRFrancis

Stephen: Sorry, I did not check for 50-state-legal, I do know in California the front aiming turn signals have to be either White or Amber, and any rear aiming turn signals have to be either Red or Amber.

camaronewbie: Actually these are SMD, but thank you much for the advice. I was thinking of a 1-white 2-amber rows setup, that might put enough amber in the mix, I was also thinking of having all 3 rows amber and having the signal from the flasher flash all 3 rows when you want to signal. I am going to test it with all 3 rows amber and see what happens, but so far I am very dissapointed with how dim these SMD Amber lights are, as you can see, the Super Whites are VERY bright. I used a fast shutter speed, so it doesn't really look that bright in the pix. In the end, I have to make sure they can be seen from at least 100ft away on a bright summer day.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

After you saying white is legal in CA, I checked out Texas....Turns out Texas allows amber or white.

Personally, I still think white just looks wrong. I like my amber lights.

StevenRFrancis

Oh okay, yeah I figured Cali had the strictest laws, that's why I was shocked when you said that lol. But I guess I should look up all 50 states or at least let people know to check.
Believe me, I think it looks weird too, but to be legal, it has to meet minimum luminance as well, and I really don't think that even having all 3 rows amber will meet that, but I will try it before removing that option.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Here is the Texas Inspection criteria. Maybe you can put together all the other 49-states stuff, or tell them to look it up. Then there always "Sold for show car/purposes only. Check your local states for street legality."

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp.../item_insp.asp

camaronewbie

OK - didn't know. I know all the SMD's I've seen were so damn bright that I was blined by looking at them - but then again I've never personally seen amber - I've seen white and green. I used 2 strips of the white SMD flexible's under the lip of my car hood on a switch, and it lights up the entire engine bay at night - it's really cool 'cause I have them pointing along the hoodline, so you never make a shadow as the light always bounces down from the entire hood, and it allows a great view of everything in the event that I have under-hood issues at night - no more trying to hold a flashlight in my mouth!

StevenRFrancis

camaronewbie - I understand no worries. OMG that is soo kool! And such a good idea. I am actually using strips as well, just trying to seamlessly integrate them in. I might also try placing warm white LEDs on the inside of the orange lens and see how that works out. Since LEDs emmit a certain wavelength I fear the lens might block most of the light. Anyways thanks for the pointers. Now if only I can fix my blinker issue :-(

NINÅ

Ramair21

iTrader: (3)

I think this is an AWESOME IDEA!! Looks really clean!!