$80 LED taillights BUILT FROM SCRATCH (E39 BMW 5 Series)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ย. 2024
- In this video I take an L and spend 80 hours (and $80) building LED taillights for my 5 Series that ended up with a few annoying problems that render them pretty much useless. But despite this, I still vouch for this as a project and I reckon on the right car it could be really successful. You could also build these with a diffuser lens over the bulbs for a more even light output, but I wanted the look of the individual bulbs (facelift E46 vibes).
Technical details:
LEDs used: 4.8mm diameter wide angle LEDs (about 15c each)
Clear lens LEDs for:
Running light (approx. 50 per side)
Reverse light (approx. 35 per side)
Indicator (approx. 60 per side)
Red lens LEDs for
Brake light (approx. 45 per side - this tinted version was slightly brighter than clear lens, so I chose it for the brake light)
Resistors (about 3-5c each)
330 Ohm for red and amber LEDs (LED voltage about 2.1V)
180 Ohm for white LEDs (LED voltage is higher for white, about 3.3V)
Wiring: see diagram in video
If your module uses a number of LEDs not divisible by 3, make a couple of the clusters a set of 4 if needed. The brightness of the cluster will barely be any dimmer than the sets of 3. Do not run any LED clusters in groups smaller than 3 - they will most likely burn out immediately
3D Printed inserts: I designed these in Fusion 360, I had to experiment a bit to get them fitting well, although there is still a little room for improvement. I have made the files available on Thingiverse via this link:
3D Printer used: Bambu Lab X1-C
Filament: ABS or PETG
Printed at about 50% infill with a skirting raft at the base
Adhesives:
Clear roof and gutter silicone (black would be better in hindsight)
Loctite Extreme Glue
Generic superglue for keeping LEDs secure inside the printed modules (if the superglue creates a fog on the surrounding plasitc, you can use a black Sharpie to conceal it, it won't be noticeable behind the lens unless it is a crystal clear Altezza-style lens. Wait at least a few hours for the superglue to release any gas before sealing the lens, so that it doesn't fog the inside of the taillight).
Reflector: Generic exterior reflector used behind the lens, as the reflector along the bottom of the lens became damaged from cutting the lights open. This reflector works fine behind the taillight lens and is fully functional.
Paint:
Duplicolor Trim and Bumper paint - Black
White Knight Squirts - Satin Black (for border around lens)
Balchan professional acrylic lacquer paint - Clear Gloss
Load resistors: generic 50W 6 Ohm load resistors (avoid if possible)
Good luck!
Awesome work, but yeah, those are things you learn only by actually doing it. In my Peugeot i had to put resistors for the blinkers LED lights, and yes, they get quite hot when they are turned on for an extended period of time. Subscribed.
That’s it mate - you don’t know until you try it
Sorry Sreten cracked me up 🤣. Either way, that was a great learning experience and thanks for sharing it with us!
I am trying to gather some idea to make something like this on the e36. I must say you've done an awesome job really cool.
Great work. I’m gathering ideas for my 73 Maverick. I have a basic on electronics, but do you think led strips that cut to fit would work?
LED strips are probably the most common choice for custom taillights, I just used individual bulbs because I wanted the matrix bulb look 👍
@ my original plan was to build a board for LEDs like you did so I can program it to spell out F**k you haha. But I need something easy first since I did a body swap on a 04 mustang and of course I need custom lights. It’s an awesome build, I’m not a TH-camr but made a few videos. Thanks for the info.
How come you didn't use neopixels? I'm thinking of making some tails for my 525i and use neopixels strips and a a blue ghozt controller
I hate coding 😎
thats really cool , may I have the link of the 3d file please
whats name that machine?
The 3D printer is a Bambu Lab X1-C if that’s what you mean