LED Tail Light Project - GreenHybrid

gviado · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2008, 01:25 PM

LED Taillight project – 2007 Civic Hybrid

LED – Superflux HPTW-DH00-F4000 (red/orange)
QTY. – 100 PCS.
Led forward voltage – 2.67
70ma
Voltage regulator – LM7812A (qty. 2)
Supply power (after regulator and diode) – 11.57V (with the engine on)
PWM (1)
.1µF Capacitor (qty. 2) One for each circuit board/taillight
.33µF CAPACITOR (qty. 2) One for each circuit board/taillight
1N4742A 1-Watt Zener Diode (bundle) three per circuit board
Circuit boards
Soldering gun/solder/flux
15 ohm resistors 1/4w (bundle)

I chose to modify the stock tail lights. I used a dremel to take the lens off.

56 total LEDs used.Outer tail lights are finished. Real close but not as bright as the stock lights but they do stand out at night. Next is to modify the trunk tail lights.

Anahymbrid · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2008, 04:22 PM

Looks good... but now make sure your cruise control works properly. I read a Honda tech bulletin a while back that mentioned a cruise control fault was traced back to an aftermarket installation of LED taillights.

gviado · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anahymbrid

Looks good... but now make sure your cruise control works properly. I read a Honda tech bulletin a while back that mentioned a cruise control fault was traced back to an aftermarket installation of LED taillights.

Cruise control still works.

bengteck · #4 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 06:18 AM

yes, the brake LED will screw up the electrical panel aspecially the Navi system or stock radio unit if they start to fail

wonder what you use the two regulator for?
whats the capacitor for?

my recommendation on the wiring should be every three LED
place a resistor (27ohms 1/2W as cal is 23.8 ohms)
as that might be brighter than your current setup
btw you should use 13V to cal as car when running produce abt 13-14VDC

this setup used by all commerical LED cct supplied
in case u need to calculate them - link

you might wish to inspect the thrid brake lamp as its LED for reference

gviado · #5 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 08:13 AM

Voltage regulator is to protect the LEDs for a constant and reliable power supply. My power supply to LEDs does not go over 11.58 does not go below 11.55. More accurate data to calculate for resistor and longer life for the LEDs. My calulations are based on 11.57 supply, 70ma, 2.67 forward voltage, and 28 LEDs per tail light. I used this calculator - http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

bengteck · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 11:47 PM

i've use LEDs lighting for 6-7 years using the concept i've recommended without a problem on the LEDs, thats the reason i asked why the need for regulator.

unless they are high end switching regulators, it do not help much but only higher cost

the most important component = resistor
it must be of higher rating to prevent the LED burning out
so far my interior lighting used for 6 years yet to fail (if rating correct)

thanks for sharing.

chkuttner · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 01:59 PM

Great work. But I lack the time and ambition to do such a fabulous project.

I dealt with the following outfit when I hacked our vacuum cleaner [seriously--the bulbs kept dying due to the vibrations, so I replaced with LED bulbs. Cool blue color and a bit dimmer, but something to brag about].

Go to this page:
http://superbrightleds.com/carbulb-notes.htm
and scroll down. They have a bulb finder for the Civic Hybrid's bulbs. Seems like easy replacement.

Anyone try them, or know if doing so would upset the voltage regulator's equanimity?