leds lights

[lil blue]

can anyone explain how to wire led together for tail lights or tell me a web site that can tell me

[Zeke]

try this site lots of good info especially if you want to make your own lights.

http://led.linear1.org/

this site has component led, I am sure there are others out there

http://www.superbrightleds.com/

[lil blue]

well it really didnt tell me how to wire them on a board for tail lights

[fixit-p]

Originally Posted by lil blue

well it really didnt tell me how to wire them on a board for tail lights

You didn't look hard enough>>>>http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

[VetteVet]

I'm not sure if you are looking at wiring LEDs to make a light or if you want to know how to wire an existing light in a vehicle. If it's the former try this site.
http://www.theledlight.com/ledcircuits.html
If its the latter then we can try to discuss that .

[babyJay]

If you not really familiar with electronic components and circuitry, I wouldn't recommend "fabricating" your own LED bulbs. 12 volts CAN start a fire!

[lil blue]

i know about electrical just never did anything with leds i trying to make tail lights and i just need to figure out how to solder them together on the circuit board

[lil blue]

just if there wired in series or parallel and just like a website with pictures so i can see how its done

[fixit-p]

The link I posted earlier gives you all you need, you do need to read up on all the links provided in this thread they will help you understand how leds work.
The image below is from this link>>>> http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz
You have to enter values to get a diagram.

[lil blue]

yea i saw that

[Zeke]

If you have never done this before I would recommend you get a solderless breadboad, basically you can plug in your LEDs and other components to build your circuit, test it and change it to get what you want. Then you can transfer them to a prototype board and solder them in or even etch your own printed circuit board. You can get the solderless breadboard at Radio Shack or by online, save a lot of time and expense plus you see what you are getting before putting it in stone.

[lil blue]

maybe its me but i think that radio shack over charges way to much

[raycow]

Originally Posted by lil blue

maybe its me but i think that radio shack over charges way to much

They do, but if you live someplace that doesn't have any "real" electronics outlets like Allied or Newark, you don't really have much other choice. If you mail order, the shipping charges eat up most of the savings on small items.

Ray

[lil blue]

idk theres a store here where i bought 500 red leds a new saudering iron and sauder for $15 and they were out of boards so i got 2 online for $5 and they are 12 by 5 boards

[babyJay]

so are they 12V LED'S? I imagine you will need some sort of current limiting resistor, and you probably know they are a diode, and diodes only pass current in one direction. How are you going to configure the pulse width modulation to make them brighter when the brakes are applied? There are LED conversion kits out there to buy relatively cheap. that are already built, and known to be safe to use. I'd hate to see your truck go up in a puff of smoke...

[babyJay]

Here you can have both sides for $80. http://www.shiny-hiney.com/trucks.html

[lil blue]

i rather learn how to do it then pay 80 bucks cause i can get everything i need for less then 30 bucks and make more them 2 lights

[Zeke]

Remember when you are figuring your voltage dropping resistors vs supply voltage you are looking at what the alternator puts out. Most fully charged batteries by themselves put out just less than 12 volts, the alternator puts out 13 to 14. Might not seem like much but running electronic components at there max shortens the life. For brakes and turn signal you can either split LEDs on the board so that half are on all the time and other half come on for brakes and turn signal (simple) or intermingle tail and stop/turn LEDs on the board (more complicated).
Please remember that tail, stop/turn lights are for other drivers to see you, if you get rear ended it could wind up being your fault for improper equipment, this goes not for just LEDs but tail light covers and blackout lenses. DOT and most states have very specific laws on lighting. There's a reason DOT approved ususally cost more "liability".
If you are just learning it might be better to try something simple like changing your dome light to LEDs so you get an idea on how they work.

[stich626]

most the leds I've looked at are mili volt..
(did find 12volt) for the dash highbeam/turn sig.
how do you get these milivolt leds up to 12-13 volts..
adding each value you'd get there(if it works that way) but that dictates the amount used..(# of leds)
what am I missing

[lil blue]

lol i've got a led dome light already the only part i don't know is what do you use to make different brightness of the tail and break

[fixit-p]

Originally Posted by lil blue

lol i've got a led dome light already the only part i don't know is what do you use to make different brightness of the tail and break

however many led's you use make 1/2 of them brake and the other half tail, you can alternate rows either horizontal or vertical.

[lil blue]

i have a stepside so how could you do that

[stich626]

Originally Posted by lil blue

i have a stepside so how could you do that

new led stepside lights are cheap..
my dad and i just installed a pair on his boat trailor
I think they where 60 and they are watertight to be able to submurge the trailor as you release the boat

[lil blue]

the only thing i need to know is where to get the pwm controller and the bulbs with the pigtails on them

[Zeke]

I did a quick search and wasn't able to find a "ready made" pwm controller but did find this
http://www.analog.com/library/analog...controller.pdf
Unless you really enjoy building stuff and figuring how things work you are pushing the cost past what you could buy ready to install. Since you already bought the breadboard you off to a start. Might want to get one of those LED experiment kits to get a basic understanding on how LEDs work.
I have seen newer cars that appear to have LED's that brighten when the brake pedal is pushed, did't really pay attention to the make but pretty sure they were Japanese cars. You might be able to find one at a junkyard to get parts, idk.
The simple half-on for tail and all-on for brakes let you use your existing brake switch and tail light wiring.