LED taillights for Gen 1.0 (w/pics of housings now)

[cklinh]

So... how is it gonna work?

(for future reference...)

[made in china]

So... how is it gonna work?

(for future reference...)

That's the thousand dollar question. I need to make sure that the finished product looks OEM, performs OEM, doesn't leak and doesn't look like it's been hacked. Soooo....I'll let ya know when I figure it out

[SolaraGuy22]

Talk to Josh, he's in the area and looking to do something similar.

[woa_its_j3ff]

count me in. if i can get one of these.. wheee

[SleeperSolara]

Looks like a good idea.

[Astro]

I'd definately be interested, you can count me in!

[hskrsolara]

this gets my attention...horiz. bar #1 looks nice. keep up the good work!

[made in china]

I have updated the first post, please check it to see what ya'll think.

Basically the designing is done. The parts lists are made and I know the cost.

I will need to decide if I order 10 sets or more of PCBs because honestly, the price for a run of 10 PCBs isn't much cheaper than the cost of running 20 or 30. However, the Solara is a "low interest" car to most, so I need to make a limited run to keep costs down. I also need to turn a profit eventually to justify this project to my lovely and great wife, and of course to pay for my own set of LED tails.

So, I am hoping that in the course of 12 months that I can move at least 9 kits. I know I may have 3 or 4 solid SG members that I would anticipate to buy this, and I am betting that over the course of a year a few new members or "on the fence" kinda people will also buy.

Anyway, judging by current responses, I think doing just 10 kits will suffice. I am not asking anyone to buy in to this project like most others would, so these will be available on a first come, first served basis.

[hskrsolara]

great idea, looking forward to the finished product!

[---CAMRAZY---]

I say no leds on the reflector area.

[SolaraBlue]

will you need us to send our tail lights to you?

[made in china]

will you need us to send our tail lights to you?

Yeah, and I do have one set of Gen 1.5's that can be loaned out while your tails are getting done.

[Paladin06Greg]

Very nice and no nickles and dimes from this guy. LOL

[Nyyankees3511]

That looks great, but i think we would need more leds for the taillights for nighttime and braking lights?

[made in china]

That looks great, but i think we would need more leds for the taillights for nighttime and braking lights?

Well actually, each side will have 55 high flux LEDs facing backwards, and 5 LEDs facing to the side to keep the lens filled with light. That's 110 very high output LEDs facing rearward. This is somewhat more than most LED based cars have. Also, the beam on these LEDs is 80 deg from axis, which is alot of light in alot of directions. In my cheesy graphic, you see the approximate location of these LEDs. However, when the LEDs are lit, they will be extremely brilliant and you can imagine the whole effect will look much larger like when you look at a super bright LED it has a corona of light around it. And the shape of the tail tights outer cover will further spread light.

I should get these done soon (less than 4 weeks) and I will post real pics of the finished products.

BTW, since most OEms use small reflector funnels to maximize light output from half as many LEDs that I am using, I actually need to use 2 times more LEDs than a OEM to ensure that these LEDs are bright enough. These are the exact same LEDs used in OEM LED tails, they are DOT approved color also. I just don't have the means to focus every little LED to save money like the OEMs do (these LEDs are usually $1 a piece from top shelf sources like Agilent or Philips) so I will just a more.

It should work, if it doesn't then I am out of a bunch of cash