3rd Brake Light -> LEDs
03-01-2010, 03:10 PM
#91
Intermediate
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 27
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Thanks much Nick. Got the parts and did the whole thing in about an hour. Works like a champ and no more "missing teeth" Just another example of why this is such a great forum for the upkeep and improvement of this great cars.
03-09-2010, 03:10 AM
#92
Burning Brakes
Thanks Nick for the kit.
This project took me more then an hour for sure but one thing I decided to do before soldering the LED's on was bending the legs much like the the bulbs that came off the bar. The poles of the LED's show a flat spot on each and this is where I placed my needle-nose pliers bending 45°, then using the thickness of the tip of the pliers for the second bend. This allowed for consistent seating in height of the LED's and at the same time I ended up with a good alignment of the poles to the holes.
Even though I lined the long legs up with the black wire side I ended up having to reverse the black and brown wires to the light bar to make them light up.
This project took me more then an hour for sure but one thing I decided to do before soldering the LED's on was bending the legs much like the the bulbs that came off the bar. The poles of the LED's show a flat spot on each and this is where I placed my needle-nose pliers bending 45°, then using the thickness of the tip of the pliers for the second bend. This allowed for consistent seating in height of the LED's and at the same time I ended up with a good alignment of the poles to the holes.
Even though I lined the long legs up with the black wire side I ended up having to reverse the black and brown wires to the light bar to make them light up.
Last edited by jo-hans; 03-09-2010 at 01:21 PM.
03-11-2010, 02:41 AM
#96
Pro
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Schaumburg, IL.
Posts: 548
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Thanks Nick for the kit.
This project took me more then an hour for sure but one thing I decided to do before soldering the LED's on was bending the legs much like the the bulbs that came off the bar. The poles of the LED's show a flat spot on each and this is where I placed my needle-nose pliers bending 45°, then using the thickness of the tip of the pliers for the second bend. This allowed for consistent seating in height of the LED's and at the same time I ended up with a good alignment of the poles to the holes.
Even though I lined the long legs up with the black wire side I ended up having to reverse the black and brown wires to the light bar to make them light up.
This project took me more then an hour for sure but one thing I decided to do before soldering the LED's on was bending the legs much like the the bulbs that came off the bar. The poles of the LED's show a flat spot on each and this is where I placed my needle-nose pliers bending 45°, then using the thickness of the tip of the pliers for the second bend. This allowed for consistent seating in height of the LED's and at the same time I ended up with a good alignment of the poles to the holes.
Even though I lined the long legs up with the black wire side I ended up having to reverse the black and brown wires to the light bar to make them light up.
Check your PM's guys.
Nick
03-14-2010, 12:14 PM
#99
Nick,
PM sent
PM sent
05-15-2011, 02:52 AM
#101
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Time to wake this thread up. 
Nick,
I purchased the 'white' kit from you more than a year ago. Tonight, I decided enough was enough. I removed my basket handle and de-soldered all of the old bulbs (two were bad). I did the same as Jo-hans and gave each LED two bends to mimic the stock bulbs.
When it came time to solder the LED bulbs into place, I carefully positioned each one, and then spread the 'legs' flat on the other side of the circuit board. This kept each bulb positioned nicely for soldering. Since I had a spare baskethandle insert in my shop, I used it as a jig to hold the circuit board - with the LEDs snugged into the holes. This way, I was assured that they would all be aligned as I soldered.
I installed the resistor on the outside as well, and found that the wire orientation (brown-brown, black-black), worked correctly the first time I plugged the strip in.
I'm very pleased with this minor, yet worthwhile mod. Thank you for taking the time to figure out & ship the required supplies.
Andreas
Nick,
I purchased the 'white' kit from you more than a year ago. Tonight, I decided enough was enough. I removed my basket handle and de-soldered all of the old bulbs (two were bad). I did the same as Jo-hans and gave each LED two bends to mimic the stock bulbs.
When it came time to solder the LED bulbs into place, I carefully positioned each one, and then spread the 'legs' flat on the other side of the circuit board. This kept each bulb positioned nicely for soldering. Since I had a spare baskethandle insert in my shop, I used it as a jig to hold the circuit board - with the LEDs snugged into the holes. This way, I was assured that they would all be aligned as I soldered.
I installed the resistor on the outside as well, and found that the wire orientation (brown-brown, black-black), worked correctly the first time I plugged the strip in.
I'm very pleased with this minor, yet worthwhile mod. Thank you for taking the time to figure out & ship the required supplies.
Andreas
05-15-2011, 08:49 AM
#102
button queen
+1 I PMed Nick separately. Got this done early last year (with adult leadership on the soldering part) and the light looks great.
More memorable was Nick's unselfish help with parts and instruction.
DIY stuff like this is the best part of Rennlist. Thanks to all.
More memorable was Nick's unselfish help with parts and instruction.
DIY stuff like this is the best part of Rennlist. Thanks to all.
05-15-2011, 07:33 PM
#104
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
BTW, if anyone would rather replace their burned-out stock bulbs with the same, PM your address and I'll send however many you need (I have 20 or so good ones).
Andreas
Andreas