Custom Tail Light, PCB & Turn Signals

[Kickass]

Hey Guys...

This been posted on bit too, looking for some simple advice

I have been contemplating on building a custom light for the rear of my motorbike, simply because indicators stick out and look silly, the current light i have is an aftermarket part and i dont like it that much.

Anyway my proposotion is very simple, i would have 13 LED's in a row soldered to a PCB (custom made) with a resistor for each acting as my light.

the two at each end (in total 4) would be my indicators.
the 9 red led's (which would all be red unlike the diagram) would be split:
* the first 5 (shown in bright red) would be my standard rear light
* the other 4 (imbetween in brown) would be my brake light

Pretty simple everything runs on a 12 volt system so i need to simply drop down the voltages i think to the correct ones for the resistors (which i have found both resistors and the LED's i need on THIS website.

Basicly what i am asking is my pcb a sensible idea, where could it be improved and is it going to be easy to make ?



RED: Main Light +12
GREEN: Brake Light +12
YELLOW/GREEN: GND
PINK & BLUE: TURN SIGNALS +12

Resistors marked in blue

Many thanks guys !

[fivecheebs]

Well personally i think this is a crazy idea and if you did it i think you would be asking for a tug form the police. (you buy flushish indicators BTW!)

however if you were going to do it i would change a couple of things...

I would not be happy with only 4 LEDs as my brake light! in fact you need to up the number of LEDs considerably all round...

I also would not have one resistor per LED. The resistors are gonna get pretty hot like that. I would put a tiny resistor in place of the large one and then have 3 LEDs where you show each one. (maybe 4 for the standard rear light to make it a little dimmer than the brake lights) If you can get more in then do so. Also have you thought about the fact that LEDs are very directional? Will your brake lights or indicators be able to be seen from a lorry drivers perspective? What about the people who can see the side of you, can they see your turn signal? there is a reason for those lenses and reflectors y'know

If you do go ahead with it though, good luck.... it will be hard to perfect. I dare say impossible with only 13 LEDs

[Kickass]

Hey mate

Thanks for the advice.

The middle set of indicators (brake light) come on only when the brakes are on, the light itself never goes off..

from a visibility perspective i'm sure everyone will be able to see them, the LED's are very very bright ive got two on my pc and they light up my whole room !!

The whole thing will be covered in sealant once complete to make it waterproof and i was not worried about the heat i didnt know resistors got that hot?

Thanks
Spike

[fivecheebs]

well look, its up to you man, im just saying i woulndt do it.

As for the resistors getting hot, they dont get really hot but they do get warm, and if you can out more leds on then its all good yea? ... you'll still only nned one resistor for all 3 and because its doing "less" by way of adjusting the current, because the other leds are doing some of the work that the original resister is doing, i cant see any harm in puttin more leds in. Its not like you have chosen the most expensive colours.

[Kickass]

ok someone suggested i should double the circuit up so i have more light, either that or just double up each LED...

[fivecheebs]

yea double, or tripple each led in series, then calculate the new resistor needed.

[Pug]

Hmm, we need an electronics section, don't we?
*adds to to-do list...*

[nikkynixx]

For those looking for more information about custom LED tail lights, I found run a site that goes into some detail ranging from basic to advanced LED tail lights. *link removed*

[Starbuck3733T]

Are you a spammer?

[Reitau]

@ Star - I check the site, looks legit - some usefull infor on Motorcycle break lights etc - a bit far out for first time posting I agree though.