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I think that would be a cool idea as well. Kinda like what BMW did for the 5 series tail lights:

 

ME LIKE!!

Tom, sorry you don't like this.. but I'm in LOVE LOL! but I think this is just some animation someone did.

 

And the 3 series...

Which is funny as the LCI 3 got rid of them altogether in favor of other LEDs...

 

yes i actually already looked at those. types of rings. i decided against them because 1: they shine light in all directions (i just want directional light), 2: they have gaps in the rings, and 3: the rings aren't thick enough.

anyway here's some progress. unfortunately i can't find our iron, so i can't make the PCB's tonight.

i did, however, finish redesigning the PCB layouts. i realized that i could get away with far less resistors by wiring up groups of 6-LEDs in series - this mean's i only need ONE resistor for the extra 4 LED's left over (the rings use 64 LED's total).



the inner and outer rings are still independently connected so that means if i want i can have one ring light up all the time and the other come on with the brakes (might be cool...?)



i also decided to pick up some 12v fixed-voltage regulators:


just to test the brightness, i took 6 LEDs and connected them in a series, hooked up to a 12v power source...it was pretty bright. the angle could definitely be wider, but i think i actually might like the effect.

depending on the results of my first prototype, i may make a second version using the surface mount LEDs that David suggested.

hopefully i can find an iron tomorrow so i can make these PCBs!

 

i got something like this from ebay l.e.d. lights for $150dollaz 3 piece i love your mid light to match side light check my pics

 

Now I know why electrical engineering is not my gig. When I got my A&P License, I struggled with this part. Argh... you are doing great though!

 

Here is a pic of his lights:



I like what Theorie is doing better - much better.

On another note, now that I see your design and the work involved, I know why I changed my major at Auburn from engineering to the business school!

Regarding the viewing angle on the LEDs, you can still try some wide angle ones in addition to the SMTs to see what works best. I would think once you've got a working design down, trying a few options would be the way to go. And Radio Shack lists the wide angle LEDs as ones they carry in stock.

 

sooo whats a PCB?

 

Printed circuit board

 

haha yeah this would be much easier if i had some sort of training in this crap. i went to school for international affairs & economics.

 

Uh oh:
"Hey let me work on it! I've never seen one of them there rotary engines before!!"

 

Any luck with my oem taillight dimensions?

 

sorry man. i cant seem to find it. goodfellafd3s is bringing me a real '99 spec tail this weekend, so i'll re-do my diagram and send it to you as soon as i've got it.

 

So Tom, are you the proud owner of some bitching LED taillights?, he says waiting excitedly!

 

ok so i guess i'll update.

i still have yet to make the PCB boards as i have been busy out of my mind with work and grad classes...

however i actually came up with a new "plan b" design that uses surface mount led's and a top-secret element that will help eliminate the light gap between the diodes. the "plan b" design will still feature two independently controlled led rings and should produce the same style/effect that i'm going for.

i've also figured out a super easy way to wire up everything by tapping into the stock tail light bulb harnesses. the setup will still allow you to remove the light housings as needed because the wiring will be completely disconnectable. also, this method will allow you to change the style whenever you want just by switching connectors. this means you can have the lights light up like stock 99 circles, or you can have the rings only, or you can have one ring on with the other ring w/ brakes, etc, etc.

i'm flying down to FL on march 13th so i want to have at least one of my prototypes completed before then. hopefully i can unveil the results then, if not sooner.

 

also the light pipes arent bright enough for a stop lamp. this is why the on bmws the light pipes are only for the parking lamps and have directional leds behind them

you are going to blow up a lot of leds if you do this. you need a current limiting resistor for every parallel string.

 

yes i know. i said something about that in a different post.

anyway...an update. my "diffusers" arrived in the mail today. had these custom made. here are the thicker flavor: 80mm OD x 40mm ID for the brake circles & 75mm OD x 35mm ID for the signal circles (1/4" thick acrylic for all).


(yes, they have the protective paper on them still in the above photo)

essentially, these will sit behind the colored insert lenses, helping to diffuse the led light so you don't see the individual led beam shapes.

here's one of the rings with the paper removed. each ring gets the top & bottom surfaces sanded until they are clouded and diffused. i tried it on one of the rings and it really helped to diffuse the light.



i also have a thinner style ring: 80mm OD x 60mm ID for the brake circles & 75mm OD x 55mm ID for the signals:


this gives me some options...

im hoping to have my prototype ready by this weekend. more info/pics soon hopefully

 

Pictures of the light? How is this all coming together?

 

oh that will come soon.

bubble gum and zip ties, my friend.

 

Damn those are some sexy hands..... Did Ryan model those for you?!

 

Now that is a pretty cool idea Tom. Look forward to seeing more!

 

i had a chance to take some better photos with a slightly better camera.







sanded:




you can see the ring when held up to the light, but when re-assembled and the lights are off, the rings will be invisible - they'll look just like normal '99-spec tails until you turn them on.



mmmm...

 

Make sure you use Stride® - The Ridiculously Long Lasting Gum®.

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you'd get the disks behind the rest of the assembly.

 

so...unfortunately the final parts that i was waiting for DID NOT COME and i have to fly to florida tomorrow afternoon. doubt i'll get them before i leave.

this project is gonna have to be put on hold until i get back next weekend. bummer