| Author | Message | ||
     Xbtwelver |
I am interested in making a custom led tail light. I have an idea of what I want to do but I don't have much experience with circuits. I need to know how I can make the LEDs dim for the running light but bright for the brakes. I want to make it so all of the LEDs are on as running lights at about half bright and when you hit the brakes they are full bright. Thanks | ||
| Nik |
What you want is a PWM (pulse width modulation) circuit. You can find diagrams to build them online from a 555 chip, or you can find kits to make them on ebay. | ||
| Sifo |
I just dimmed mine with resistors. You can also "dim" the tail light by simply not lighting all the LEDs for the running lights. | ||
| Srwitt |
I'm working on the same thing at the moment. I'm using 3w leds mounted to a star board. I'm going to cut a plate of aluminum at work to mount the leds to and mount into the stock housing. I'm just going to power so many as a tail light, and light the rest for the brake light. I haven't figured out the amount and spacing of the lights yet, but do have drivers built and tested. I'm using a LM317 in a constant current setup. Its a simple circuit, can be efficient. Just do a search for lm317 led driver on the web and you should get results. | ||
| Nillaice |
XBlights.com DELIVERS! money well-spent | ||
| Sifo |
XBlights makes some great lights. The only thing is that they are a simple plug and play that keeps you from learning things... Like the fact that XBlights are a good value too. I still liked making my own light though and may do another in the future. | ||
| Xbtwelver |
Yeah I am looking for something more custom than XBlights. I know they are of high quality and I did consider it as an option but for $200 I'll make exactly what I want for a fraction of the cost. I'm not putting XBlights down. It's just not what I am looking for. Srwitt I'll probably do the same and power some on for running and then have the rest come on for the brake. Are you making an integrated tail light? | ||
| Sifo |
I didn't do an integrated light. I don't feel the turn signals are visible enough on integrated units. I put my safety higher than my desire for a slick looking bike. I posted up what I did a while back in this thread... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/441042.html?1236122813 | ||
| Nillaice |
sorry. i admire your ambition, but i have found it is often easier/better to just buy the item/mod then to waste just as much money/time trying to DIY with the wrong tools and set-up. -speaking from my own experinces- i agree some resistors will cut down the current/light out-put. radio shack has an impressive selection and is pretty-much nation wide. although you will be making the tail-light yourself, XBlights may still be of some help as a reference. Robert Hall is a stand-up guy, and humored me for several correspondences even though i did not buy my XBlights tail light directly form him, but from here on the classifieds. im not speaking on his behalf when i say that he may have a few clear lenses for sale. just guessing, really |
