LED modifications

[iansblackvrs]

Hi everyone, I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to blogs and posting info but does anyone like the following youtube vid. I am an electronics engineer and I make gadgets all the time so I thought I would try this. Read the youtube description first

[blueR36]

looks good, just for stationary though right, ?\

[mbames]

All for under £1 (I assume the flashing bit, not the LEDs). I like

[iansblackvrs]

All for under £1 (I assume the flashing bit, not the LEDs). I like

Yes I am in the trade but the flasher parts are dirt cheap. The chips are about 20p each but each led indicator cost about a fiver each to make. But they will last and they have been in use for years and pass MOTs

[iansblackvrs]

looks good, just for stationary though right, ?\

Yes I stated in the youtube description that it's illegal in the UK to have moving lights on a vehicle but I thought you could use it for hazards. I also stated that I could do them in blue but then I really would get in trouble lol. I dare say some might use this or sequential indicators on show cars. I could use the same circuit to flash the main headlamps but then the boys in blue would definitely have a word.

[mbames]

Do you have a switch inside the car somewhere to enable the flashing of the lights in emergency style?

So you are looking at about £20 + LEDs for the side indicators to just do the indicators?

[goonybird]

Looks good. Are you going to post a schematic?

[Eccentric Toast]

Would you be able to get a guide together on how to convert the normal bulbs to LEDs for all the non electronic engineers :-P as I'd really like to try this mod(also the flashing indicator mod :-))

[yashicamat]

It's a good idea and something similar is in common use in highway maintenance vehicles (although stand-alone units are used). My only real issue is that to a driver who glimpes the car, it might look like you're pulling out as the indicators are alternating either side, but as you've said they're not for road use then that isn't an issue.

I wouldn't mind getting some LED indicator (and brake light) bulbs, though, but are there any decent ones that are both bright enough and satisfy the legal requirements?

[yamz89]

Hi everyone, I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to blogs and posting info but does anyone like the following youtube vid. I am an electronics engineer and I make gadgets all the time so I thought I would try this. Read the youtube description first

Nice! I'd be interested in a kit...

What exhaust system is that vRS running?

[iansblackvrs]

Looks good. Are you going to post a schematic?

I can do if anyone wants it. I did mine on a bit of veroboard with a lead that plugs into the cigar lighter to run it

[iansblackvrs]

Nice! I'd be interested in a kit...

What exhaust system is that vRS running?

I wouldnt make kits as I dont want to be responsible for any damage etc. The original exhaust had a twin pipe back box which I liked the sound of but it perished. There are not many brands available for the 1.8t and I had a hell of a job finding a replacement as I dont like the original oval pipe. The standard system cat back from Skoda was about 400 quid but I bought a complete cat back stainless steel system from Piper which was about 350 quid when I got mine but they guarantee it will outlast the car.They do a range of tailpipe options including oval, twin or big bore single. Funnily enough I just searched for it on the net and if this link works take a look. It fitted straight on with no modding needed even on the bumper. Incidentally mine is pipe option S twin 3 inch http://www.piperexhausts.co.uk/piperstore/product_info.php?cPath=464_465&products_id=4333&osCsid=66iitfflfmmch06kc8jjdjqeg1

Edited 4 September, 2011 by iansblackvrs

[iansblackvrs]

Would you be able to get a guide together on how to convert the normal bulbs to LEDs for all the non electronic engineers :-P as I'd really like to try this mod(also the flashing indicator mod :-))

Each one of my indicators has about 30 5mm leds in it and they are packed tight like sardines or they are too fat to go in the back of the light unit. Trust me it wasnt easy and took months of (in the dark) testing and much cursing.Then there is the problem of indicator hazard relay fault mode which makes the bulbs flash fast.A 21 watt indicator sucks about 2 and a half amps at 14v engine running and the current sensing in the relay warns you of a blown bulb eg flashing fast. My indicators each draw about 180 mA so less than 1/10 th of the original so the relay did flash fast. I bought a new one from Graham at Jorily and modified the old one so I had a good one in case I f**d up. What I had to do was open up the hazard relay and change the flash speed so it flashed slower in fault mode. Technically it is in fault mode all the time but running at half speed.So if I put filament bulbs back in it will flash about once every 2 seconds much too slow so I have 2 relays, one for leds and one for bulbs. The hazard/indicator switch is plug in and takes 30 seconds to replace.I have a full set of lights front and back which came from a breakers. It would be easier to mod the whole light unit and just put leds on a board inside them and do away with bulbs. To make mine I had to get an old blown bulb and smash the glass off and glue my leds in place of the filament. It may have cost a fiver each for parts but in labour terms and all the cursing it probably cost me about 100 quid per corner.It really isnt worth the hastle but I guess I had too much time on my hands back then. These days the poor car is lucky if it gets washed twice a year.

[RobClubley]

[iansblackvrs]

It's a good idea and something similar is in common use in highway maintenance vehicles (although stand-alone units are used). My only real issue is that to a driver who glimpes the car, it might look like you're pulling out as the indicators are alternating either side, but as you've said they're not for road use then that isn't an issue.

I wouldn't mind getting some LED indicator (and brake light) bulbs, though, but are there any decent ones that are both bright enough and satisfy the legal requirements?

You are right it would possibly be dangerous to use it on the road and it is illegal to have moving lights on a vehicle unless its an emergency one. If anything you could only use it for hazard use or show cars. Its a plug in unit that goes into the cigar lighter so not permanent and I only made it as a challenge. Just to see if it would work, and it did. My mot garage works on the principle of the brake light must be brighter than the tail light and the indicators have to be bright and the correct colour. Do not make the mistake of buying amber leds as they are actually orange and the wrong colour.My leds are YELLOW and the colour is about 590-595 nanometers. This is the correct colour and the same as the coloured 21 watt bulb. The bulb has orange dye on it but it lights up YELLOW the same as the leds on an AA or breakdown truck. An amber led will light up the same colour as a RAC van which is wrong. Its a complicated thing and can get you in trouble. The ebay and Halfords ones are ok and legal(just) but they are dim. When I tested my indicators I had a bulb one side and leds the other to compare them and my leds were brighter than bulbs. The technology gets better all the time. You only have to look at traffic lights these days. PS something to make you laugh...when I filmed that on Friday night I forgot to remove the blu tak blank number plate and drove home. Could have had the wrong outcome and people following me probably were baffled

[iansblackvrs]

Do you have a switch inside the car somewhere to enable the flashing of the lights in emergency style?

So you are looking at about £20 + LEDs for the side indicators to just do the indicators?

Its made on a bit of veroboard and plugs into the cigar lighter to run it so not permanent. Not sure if it would work on bulbs as they switch on and off quite slow as the filament warms up. I only did it as a challenge and will probably never use it unless the D.O.T approves it for emergency use only

[Tobyclassic]

Hey mate,

Love the lights and definitely be great to get an update on the Department of Transport things, I could really use this as I'm a Highways Inspector for the council and would probably help me not get run over while out in the roads

If you have any legals info I'd be grateful if you could post it or drop me a message

Thanks

[dubDEAN]

i think thereAWESOME