View Full Version : Custom LED parking, backup, license plate lights


magyver
08-31-2011, 04:21 AM
Well, for those that don't know, I love to LED. I went overboard on my tC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGduQoiZSMU and since I traded the tC for the xB, I now have a blank slate! I'm not going to go crazy, as I am 31 and a family man now. But a few things are needed here and there and I have a stockpile of LED's so, I'm going to mod till they are gone.

LED's in the stock grill. Mounted from the back, wired 2 in series with an 8V regulator. These are 70ma superflux LED's. I took a screw driver and pushed down the factory inner parking light so that it would not light up, but would still blink. Just gives it a looks that no one else has. Which is what I like.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0039.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0038.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0037.jpg

I always like a little extra lighting while running at dark. So, this is just a couple LED's recessed into the holes that are already in the bumper cover, angled toward the back. They are 120 degee, 5mm straw hat style LED's wired off the parking lights.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0036.jpg

Now for the help of the goofy 1 only backup light. I cut some lexan to length and drilled some LED's into them and mounted them to a verticle piece of metal. These are 100ma white superflux LED's wired in series off a 8V regulator. There are 6 LED's per side, and they are very bright. There are 10 coats of clear coat on the wires and I'm doing a test to see if that will hold up over the winter.. I have a few projects that may require that, so its a test. Yes, its not pretty, but neither is the inside of a TV.. LOL.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0009.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0011.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0014.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0015.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0019.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0017.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0021.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/magyver1/xB/IMAG0020.jpg

So, what do you guys think? Always looking for criticism. Good or bad.

DJ_FroZone
08-31-2011, 04:07 PM
so.much.swag.

SamCarroll
08-31-2011, 04:38 PM
Thats um...a lot of LEDs

oreoremix42
09-01-2011, 01:41 PM
Have you notice it help with the reverse lighting? I know leds don't help much but figure it might add a little extra. Looks good! good work

magyver
09-01-2011, 11:46 PM
Have you notice it help with the reverse lighting? I know leds don't help much but figure it might add a little extra. Looks good! good work

It does help a little. White surfaces and reflection surfaces light up like a roman candle. But does not do anything on blacktop. Also, my windows are tinted and its still tough. I plan to add a backup camera to my Alpine deck and that will help.. but tryign to find the part is impossible now.

I like em. They add a little extra umph. And its been 3 years since I LED modded anything.. so it felt good to get my feet wet again.

KaneoheKoa
09-02-2011, 09:55 AM
For me, the best thing about adding LED reverse lights is that other drivers have a better chance of seeing you. IMO, Scion went fashion over function w/one light. I noticed on you beveling for your front LEDs a bit of chatter. That comes from multi-fluted countersinks. If you plan to do some more beveling, use a single flute bit, they cut really nice bevels ( from Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32308&cat=1,180,42240,42281&ap=1 ). Great for wood, plastic and soft metal. For covering wires, I like silicone aquarium sealant.

All in all, fine work there!

magyver
09-03-2011, 04:41 PM
For me, the best thing about adding LED reverse lights is that other drivers have a better chance of seeing you. IMO, Scion went fashion over function w/one light. I noticed on you beveling for your front LEDs a bit of chatter. That comes from multi-fluted countersinks. If you plan to do some more beveling, use a single flute bit, they cut really nice bevels ( from Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32308&cat=1,180,42240,42281&ap=1 ). Great for wood, plastic and soft metal. For covering wires, I like silicone aquarium sealant.

All in all, fine work there!

Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, I had a sanding bit that worked great, but my 18mo old ransacked the garage while my back was turned. So it got lost. The have them at harbor freight tools for uber cheap. Just have to make the trip 5 miles to get a new one.

And I always use DAP silicone in the past, but am trying clearcoat to see if it is a better option for me. This is a test, this is only a test. LOL.