L.E.D. 4" conversion w/extras

Excella CM · 06-13-2006, 10:23 PM

I decided to convert the Excella 500 rear lights to L.E.D.s so that if I wanted to leave the A/S unhooked for a while, I could leave the clearance lights on for several days without killing the batteries.

When I looked into it, I didn't like anything that was available at the prices I wanted to pay. so what I did was:

I took standard gromet mount sealed 4" 60 L.E.D. truck light from LED R US, (many others have similar) and sacrificed the case to get the PC board with the L.E.D.s (see pics). Most of these designs net out at a little under 4" diameter. I filed flats on three sides 90 deg. apart to fit the original reflector.

Next I spliced an old bulb socket onto the wires from the PC board. I soldered the wires in and filled the hollow with hot glue. I also added one extra bright white led onto back of the board ( & a 600 ohm resistor to drop the voltage from 12 to 3.5V) . This extra led I fed through the grommet that held the end of the fiber-optic cable telltale. Using a piece of rubber tubing I mated the L.E.D. and the fiber-optic so that I would still have a functioning teltale on the side of the trailer. I sprayed the back of the PC board with clear lacquer before putting the unit together.

The Excella came with separate brake/turn & tail lights, but the tail light side had a standard 1157 socket using only one wire. I rewired it so that the brake turn function works on both , while the tail light remains on one.

The picture of the lights in the on position are the brake/turn L.E.D.s.

Sort of a picky job, but worth, I think, the effort.

caadoptees · 06-13-2006, 10:26 PM

FANTASTIC! I have been wanting LED tail lights for a long time. I wonder if I have time before leaving for Salem. Hmmm... At least I don't have to worry about the fiber optic part in my vintage.

Thanks!

SilverToy · 06-14-2006, 02:25 AM

CA -

Let me know of your adventure into the land of "LED" replacements for the 92 vintage.

Also have a 92 with the LED running lights.... waiting for an alternative that 'works' for the stop/ brake lights....

I await your success....!

Please be sure to post, WITH photos!!!

Axel

scf31 · 06-14-2006, 04:05 AM

Congrats !!! They look AWESOME !!!!!

I have done the same with my 77 model, well worth the time and work !!!

Zeppelinium · 06-14-2006, 10:46 AM

what's the current draw on one of these LED boards? I assume you also have LEDs in the side marker lights--what do they draw? Thanks.

caadoptees · 06-14-2006, 11:44 AM

Here is another thread that may be more to my liking...

http://www.airforums.com/forum...hts-23544.html

caadoptees · 06-17-2006, 06:19 PM

OK. Cut into my projects for International to tackle LED taillights. I got all my parts locally which was no small feat. The best source was a truck parts and service store. The first two photos are the 4" unit I got from that shop. I opened them up and took out the 'guts' (photos 3 and 4). The 5th photo is my taillights without the lenses. I elected to cut the wires and add some connectors to the wires to attach the LED's to. In the light 'wells', I pushed out the bayonet connectors and used that opening run the wires. To mount the LED's I used the bayonet mount as the top support and two yellow wire nuts as 'pedestals'. I used silicon caulk to mount them along with two dabs where the circuits boards were close to the sides of the wells.

Not to stop there, I felt I had to do the high brake light. This I used two thin red marker lights. I had to cut the ends off so they would both fit in there. More silicon to mount them. Lastly I also had to do the license plate light. For this I found three 'accessory' LED's at an auto parts store. I drilled mounting holes in the bracket and put the in. The last picture shows all of them on in the back (running lights only).

It was an interesting project. I became very familiar with my wire stripper and my wire crimper.

The pictures of the 'finished' brake and tail light are animated GIFs so you can click on them to open a new window and see them in 'action'.

caadoptees · 06-05-2007, 05:31 PM

If anyone is looking for inexpensive (might be cheap also) 4" LED tail lights, Harbor Freight has them, item 94795. The normal price is $19.99 but from 6/6 to 6/24, they will be $11.99 with a coupon from their coupon book. I will attach a pic.

Zeppelinium · 06-05-2007, 06:20 PM

Has anyone put in decent backup lights, something tha puts out more than a thimble full of photos per hour?

Zep