So how do you really feel?

That might work. I ran some rings across the rods much like in the BMW pics and that helped but the plastics engineer I spoke with said to use polycarbonate instead of the optical grade material. He said the imperfections in the poly materials will diffuse the light source nicely.

He had a few other suggestions but I am trying the "other" route first. Sounds like you know what I am up to based on your comments about brightness. I've got to see first if the material will work and then if so, the company I purchased the samples from has offered to help with a bright light source. I believe it will definitely work as parking lights but not sure about braking and turn signals.

More to come as the samples shipped out today. Hope they show before the weekend.

Finally, given what happened with me during the last LED taillight saga, I don't want to produce these but am very willing to give up the design and technicals to someone else that wants to run with the idea. Or we all chip in to get them DOT approved and we are good to go

 

For anyone who is still watching this thread, I am going to attempt to reproduce these with a couple minor differences. I am an electronics engineer by trade. I can do minor fabrication work, and I have someone who will help me as well if too much need to be fabricated in the process.


I am going to make a prototype set for my car first. Test it, re-work it, test it again...etc.....I will put up pics when done with them on the car. Maybe even make a video of them working. For this experiment I have bought a spare set of tail lights to fabricate as my current tails are the 99' spec lights that I would prefer not to ruin for the test of design.


As a side note, I contacted the seller on Yahoo Auctions Japan (with help from a friend), and they said that these lights wouldn't hit main stream. They created a few sets to see how the market would accept them. But the labor to make them was too costly for what has been accepted by the general public to make it worth re-producing on a large scale. And they don't have the resources for a large production facility. This is mainly why I want to attempt this. I like them, so at minimum I will be using them on my vehicle.


Do realize that these won't be street legal for most state road laws (however I do plan on including a red reflector section for those states that have this requirement, to minimize the possibility of getting pulled over), I am not willing to get the product approved by the powers that be as I am not going to make these commercially available.

Thanks for reading!

 

I'm looking forward to what you can produce, I'm definitely interested in purchasing a set when available!!!

 

Thanks for taking the time in doing this SivionRX7; if you can disperse the light evenly and intense enough I would be very interested in buying something like that.

 

Sivion no need for a reflector we already have a set in the bumper for that reason plus it is better looking without them.

 

I'd be up for a set!

 

I think in Cali, the VC states there has to be a reflector in the actual tail light assembly. But I will have to double check that. I would like to not do this. But, I have an idea if I go through with it. But, it would look cleaner without.

No problem man, I do design work for a living. So, this should be a fun experiment. I have already taken in all the feedback from the thread and started theorizing in the design how to achieve all that was discussed. I want to make these lights look nice without seeming out of place when on the car.

Awesome man. But, I would like to re-state. Can everyone who would be interested in a set please PM me. I am creating a list of those who like this idea for sure to invest in a set. I am also keeping track of the order I receive the PM's. So, I know who's to mod first to last. I am going to also be buying product in bulk once the final design is finished and I have the BoM ready to start making them, so it would be handy to see how many sets I would be buying for. This will also aid me in the final cost of doing this so I can come up with a price. I promise the price won't be too horrible as I am not going to charge much for labor. BUT, it would be nice to get some positive feedback and maybe a little praise if people dig them on their ride.

And one more thing to note. It may be wise to have a spare set on hand to send in for the conversion. This is because, should you live in an area where the cops are not so mod friendly on cars, you could swap your stock set back in for the write off, and then put your other set in once it's clear. (and BTW yes these lights are aimed at having Plug n' Play functionality)

 

Ok, found CA VC for tail lights. It looks like it doesn't actually say anything about a red reflector for the lights themselves. I also looked for the reflector requirements as well, and it only says that they have to be mounted on the rear of the vehicle. So, hmmmm, wonder if I should even bother with that part. I say this because CA is known for it's ultra strict VC. So other states probably wouldn't have anything on this as well with having to have reflective areas in the tail light.

Thoughts?

 

Mine won't have a reflector. I am trying to keep my tails as stock as I can so they would basically look like a 93-98 oem tail light until I turn it on. I do have some other ideas rolling around my head but they are far from looking stock.

 

Seems there are a few of us running with ideas for prototypes.

 

I have tail light, sidemarkers, third brake light parts all over my room from the past couple of years. I love led. lol

 

I've been playing with the acrylic rod led thing for about 9 years. The secret is to create a series of small slits/scratches on the back side of the rod so the light bounces off it as it passes through the rod. Another way is to just place the acrylic on a belt sander to scuff it.

 

Don't forget the reflector behind the rod too!

 

Really wanna see this on a car!

 

man I love the old led design but did not get a set when I could. Might be interested in a set of these once complete.

 

Why don't you follow David Hayes' write up and make yourself a set?

 

I would but have other things on the 93 and 79 rx7's to finish before I do tails.
Right now im now time is not my friend..................

 

David, can the polycarbonate be heated up and shaped as easily as acrylic?

 

That's my car and those are a one off that I did when the GB lights did not meet my safety standards. There might be a resurrection of something similar to mine with brighter than stock lighting levels but we shall see

As Tinman posted, I did a DIY thread for these if you get the time.

Yes. A heat gun works great, just take it slow and they will bend well. I'm busy working on two prototypes now, with one being acrylic and the other using a plastic fiber optic rod material. These won't be for taillights though. I'm using them for another stealth lighting project on the car.

 

Here is a link to red reflector material:

Flush Mount LED Motorcycle Lights

Look halfway down the page.

It also appears other guys use the Home Depot fluorescent lighting plastic and then paint it with candy red, which is see thru.

 

Send me the link about the microcontroller please. Lol

 

were these ever available? i would buy a set now, but it looks like time may have passed....

 

Please someone find out how to, they look great!!!, very up to date with new cars
Either how to make it or were to get it

 

The other link isn't pulling up properly, so I'm reposting it. Would really like to see how these look installed and in the daylight. Honestly I really like the design a lot and if the chrome surrounds could be covered by diffuser then these would be perfect. imo.

¢öRX-7 FD3S LED ¥Æ¡¼¥ë¥é¥¤¥È ¥ê¥Õ¥ì¥¯¥¿¡¼ ¥¢¥¦¥Ç¥£É÷¢ö - Yahoo!¥ª¡¼¥¯¥·¥ç¥ó

 

found a different style on yahoo auctions








I think I like the previously ones posted better....