My weekend project, custom LED sidemarkers utilizing the OE molding and 5mm water-clear LEDs. The idea was for a functional/additional indicator that is invisible when not lit. I also did not want to punch big holes in my upper fender. Each side consists of 2-4 led arrays wired with a 220 Ohm resistor inline for the voltage drop. I am very happy with the finished product.....

Parts total: $10.00

 

Looks pretty clean.

 

looks real nice. Thats what ive been wanting to do.

 

I've got to admit.... not only was very creative, but it looks nice too.... did a good job there!!! ...you can do that to mine now if you want... lol

 

You didn't run a parallel on LED setup right?

 

1000 points for creativity!

 

Good idea! looks good too.

 

Parallel on LED? Well, each side is 4 amber LEDs wired in series, soldered to that 220 ohm resistor for the voltage drop. Then I used 2 sets of 4 for each side marker. Sealed then up in 100% silicone, and tada!!! Here's a pic of 1 of the circuits.....




Modified by maroonaccord2.2 at 9:43 AM 11/22/2005

 

nice

do they act as a blinker?

 

Yes, right now they are tapped off of the front corner lamp....it acts as a running light, and blinks as a signal to. If I wanted them to just blink while signaling, I'd probably move the tap to the front bumper signal. The LEDs have virtually no load charateristics at all, so you can use small gauge wire, and tap off of whatever you like for power.

 

 

Connecting LEDs in series
If you wish to have several LEDs on at the same time it may be possible to connect them in series. This prolongs battery life by lighting several LEDs with the same current as just one LED.
All the LEDs connected in series pass the same current so it is best if they are all the same type. The power supply must have sufficient voltage to provide about 2V for each LED (4V for blue and white) plus at least another 2V for the resistor. To work out a value for the resistor you must add up all the LED voltages and use this for VL.

Avoid connecting LEDs in parallel!
Connecting several LEDs in parallel with just one resistor shared between them is generally not a good idea.
If the LEDs require slightly different voltages only the lowest voltage LED will light and it may be destroyed by the larger current flowing through it. Although identical LEDs can be successfully connected in parallel with one resistor this rarely offers any useful benefit because resistors are very cheap and the current used is the same as connecting the LEDs individually. If LEDs are in parallel each one should have its own resistor

Reference: http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm

 

looks good.

 

good job you should pick up some moldings and sell em on ebay

 

that looks bada$$!!!! i need to do that. cake! i haven't seen anything like that around here. ahhhh..nothing like being first!!

 

Great Job! I really like the looks of that. Clean, purposefull.

 

you are a genious!!! if you wired those up to your blinkers insted.. you would probably never get cut off again... they look soo bright!

O/T since you know about LED's do you know how to make like a bulb array type thing? ive seeen some at the store but they're really expensive... i thing some nice red led brakelights would make the light much sharper

 

 

Can you take a side angle pic that would include the whole car, or even 5 feet away? I want to see how "invisible" they are unlit.....