Better Door LEDs - DMCTalk.com forums

Bitsyncmaster · 11-24-2006, 05:58 AM

I was not happy with the results of the Superbrightleds T13-A6 leds.
The problem with these are they sit to close to the lens and you get small points of light. You can improve the results by removing the socket and soldering the wires to the end of the led and then it will fit into the area where the socket was. This will still not ilumiate the full lens so you can get another improvment by sanding the top of the LEDs flat. Use heavy grit first then keep sanding with finer grits and end with a little rubbing compund.

I was still after a better result so I found some better LEDs and wired them up with a constant current source.

Here are some photoes with the original Bulb on the left and my hand wired LEDs on the right. If anyone wants to try this "making your own" Let me know and I will post a parts list and some construction photoes.

Mike · 11-24-2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitsyncmaster

I was not happy with the results of the Superbrightleds T13-A6 leds.
The problem with these are they sit to close to the lens and you get small points of light. You can improve the results by removing the socket and soldering the wires to the end of the led and then it will fit into the area where the socket was. This will still not ilumiate the full lens so you can get another improvment by sanding the top of the LEDs flat. Use heavy grit first then keep sanding with finer grits and end with a little rubbing compund.

I was still after a better result so I found some better LEDs and wired them up with a constant current source.

Here are some photoes with the original Bulb on the left and my hand wired LEDs on the right. If anyone wants to try this "making your own" Let me know and I will post a parts list and some construction photoes.

Please post the parts and photos. Would be interesting to see.

-Mike

bmdmc · 11-24-2006, 07:29 AM

Bitsyncmaster · 11-24-2006, 08:20 AM

Parts can be bought online at digikey.com

1) Prototype board. 438-1022-ND
2) Amber LED. HLMP-EL31-SV000
3) Red LED. HLMP-ED31-SV000
4) Regulator LM317LCLPR
5) Resistor 41.2 ohms 311-41.2CCT-ND

I wired 4 LEDs in seires and made a 30 ma. constant current source with the regulator and resistor. If you really want to build these I can go into more detail but you will need a small soldering iron and good eyesight.

bmdmc · 11-24-2006, 08:27 AM

Would you post a crude schematic for this?

Thanks,

Bitsyncmaster · 11-24-2006, 08:56 AM

Looks like people are willing to build these.
I didn't see a way to load a pdf file which I could give you a clear schmatic from so I just took a photo of a hand drawing.

bmdmc · 11-24-2006, 09:02 AM

Won't running LED's in series cause them to get dimmer along the chain? Your adding more resistance with each one in series.

Bitsyncmaster · 11-24-2006, 09:20 AM

No the LEDs are just as bright in any size string as long as the current is the same.

In a series circuit the current is the same in all devices.
Each amber LED drops about 2.1 volts and the regulator drops the rest of the voltage and keeps precisly 30 ma of current in the circuit. This works with the battery volts from about 12.1 volts up to 15 volts. If the battery voltage drops below 12.1 volts then the current will start to drop.

This circuit will work for Red and Amber LEDs but you could not string 4 blue, green or white LEDs because there voltage runs higher (about 3.1 volts).

The Superbrightled T13-A6 has two stings of 3 LEDs and they use a resistor to try to set the current at 40 ma. (each string at 20 ma). However the current changes when your battery voltage changes. 12.5 volts engine off and 13.8 to 14.5 volts engine on.

Ilan · 11-24-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitsyncmaster

I didn't see a way to load a pdf file which I could give you a clear schmatic from so I just took a photo of a hand drawing.

I've have enabled pdf uploads. I've limited it to one meg but that can be changed if needed.

bmdmc · 11-24-2006, 10:08 AM

Thanks Ilan, that will help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan

I've have enabled pdf uploads. I've limited it to one meg but that can be changed if needed.

11-24-2006, 05:58 AM	#1
Bitsyncmaster Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Leonardtown, MD VIN: 03572 Posts: 5,039 My Albums	Better Door LEDs I was not happy with the results of the Superbrightleds T13-A6 leds. The problem with these are they sit to close to the lens and you get small points of light. You can improve the results by removing the socket and soldering the wires to the end of the led and then it will fit into the area where the socket was. This will still not ilumiate the full lens so you can get another improvment by sanding the top of the LEDs flat. Use heavy grit first then keep sanding with finer grits and end with a little rubbing compund. I was still after a better result so I found some better LEDs and wired them up with a constant current source. Here are some photoes with the original Bulb on the left and my hand wired LEDs on the right. If anyone wants to try this "making your own" Let me know and I will post a parts list and some construction photoes. Attached Thumbnails

11-24-2006, 07:29 AM	#3
bmdmc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,143	Re: Better Door LEDs __________________ Bernie Owner VIN 4045 and 6704 1979 Camaro 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 (SOLD) 2009 Dodge Challanger SRT8 No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

11-24-2006, 08:20 AM	#4
Bitsyncmaster Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Leonardtown, MD VIN: 03572 Posts: 5,039 My Albums	Re: Better Door LEDs Parts can be bought online at digikey.com 1) Prototype board. 438-1022-ND 2) Amber LED. HLMP-EL31-SV000 3) Red LED. HLMP-ED31-SV000 4) Regulator LM317LCLPR 5) Resistor 41.2 ohms 311-41.2CCT-ND I wired 4 LEDs in seires and made a 30 ma. constant current source with the regulator and resistor. If you really want to build these I can go into more detail but you will need a small soldering iron and good eyesight. Attached Thumbnails

11-24-2006, 08:27 AM	#5
bmdmc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,143	Re: Better Door LEDs Would you post a crude schematic for this? Thanks, __________________ Bernie Owner VIN 4045 and 6704 1979 Camaro 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 (SOLD) 2009 Dodge Challanger SRT8 No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

11-24-2006, 08:56 AM	#6
Bitsyncmaster Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Leonardtown, MD VIN: 03572 Posts: 5,039 My Albums	Re: Better Door LEDs Looks like people are willing to build these. I didn't see a way to load a pdf file which I could give you a clear schmatic from so I just took a photo of a hand drawing. Attached Thumbnails

11-24-2006, 09:02 AM	#7
bmdmc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,143	Re: Better Door LEDs Won't running LED's in series cause them to get dimmer along the chain? Your adding more resistance with each one in series. __________________ Bernie Owner VIN 4045 and 6704 1979 Camaro 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 (SOLD) 2009 Dodge Challanger SRT8 No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Last edited by bmdmc; 11-24-2006 at 09:03 AM.

11-24-2006, 09:20 AM	#8
Bitsyncmaster Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Leonardtown, MD VIN: 03572 Posts: 5,039 My Albums	Re: Better Door LEDs No the LEDs are just as bright in any size string as long as the current is the same. In a series circuit the current is the same in all devices. Each amber LED drops about 2.1 volts and the regulator drops the rest of the voltage and keeps precisly 30 ma of current in the circuit. This works with the battery volts from about 12.1 volts up to 15 volts. If the battery voltage drops below 12.1 volts then the current will start to drop. This circuit will work for Red and Amber LEDs but you could not string 4 blue, green or white LEDs because there voltage runs higher (about 3.1 volts). The Superbrightled T13-A6 has two stings of 3 LEDs and they use a resistor to try to set the current at 40 ma. (each string at 20 ma). However the current changes when your battery voltage changes. 12.5 volts engine off and 13.8 to 14.5 volts engine on.

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