LED Citylight Teaser

[Buttafuoco]

I finally had a chance this weekend to build up a prototype set. I didn't have a chance to install them on my car, but I thought I'd show you guys my progress so far.



I happened to have my halogen housings laying around so I hooked one of the units up for a dry run...totally plug and play:


And of course...





Some of the pictures make the lights look a little more blue than they actually are. The color temperature is ~4500k...which will match the xenon color really well.

Let me know what you guys think.

[3.2some]

That looks outstanding. How long did it take to make he prototype cause howeverlong it took, times that by about 200 cause that's how many people are gonna want this.You better take a year off or something.

[era]

That looks outstanding. How long did it take to make he prototype cause howeverlong it took, times that by about 200 cause that's how many people are gonna want this.You better take a year off or something.

+1 !!!

[Ski DraGoN]

Looks SWEET!!!

[smartbabo]

nice.

i have blue led bulbs put on my car right now and have had absolutely no problems.

[Allan T]

+1 !!!

+2

Do you think there is going to be any heat problems with the led's?

Allan T

[Phrost]

LED's run extremely cool compared to a filament-style bulb. I wouldn't worry about heat at all... it's only a Light Emitting Diode.

[Allan T]

LED's run extremely cool compared to a filament-style bulb. I wouldn't worry about heat at all... it's only a Light Emitting Diode.

Okay, i just though about all the topic's about melted headlights/foglights.

Allan T

[VZWalex]

That looks sweet !! Btw .. will you make some available in other colors?

[cfujikawa]

lookin' good!

[gpxluke]

MAN i want one....this looks easy to install and the extension can let those who have big hand easier to reach the inside of the headlight

[rayiish]

cant wait!!!!

[Bigswede]

Wow!
;-)

[Jedidiah]

can't wait for details. even if it is a messy MSPaint version of the test board :) so i can make a set at home.

[cstarky15]

looks sweet. Let us know when you are taking orders [:P]

[AvantNoir]

Nice! I might be in for a set.

[pyrobecks]

Plans for doing the DRL's?

[chopsticks]

looks great! I am definitely in keep us updated

[Sly Raskal]

nice job man! Any chance at making these with different color LED's? I'd possiblly be interested in a set that emitted a yellow color (as soon as i get my car that is, damnit the wait is killing me!!!).

[Buttafuoco]

nice job man! Any chance at making these with different color LED's? I'd possiblly be interested in a set that emitted a yellow color (as soon as i get my car that is, damnit the wait is killing me!!!).

Thanks! I'm open to the possibility of custom colors, but yellow is a tough request for LEDs. The closest standard color is amber...like the turn signal bulbs.

[Buttafuoco]

Plans for doing the DRL's?

There are a few others interested in this as well. PM me what you have in mind and I'll look into it.

[Silververtu]

Doing both DRL and citylights will be great!

[Sly Raskal]

Thanks! I'm open to the possibility of custom colors, but yellow is a tough request for LEDs. The closest standard color is amber...like the turn signal bulbs.

I've seen yellow LED bulbs on eBay. Is it that a certain type of LED that you need isn't available in yellow?

[Bryan]

nice.

i have blue led bulbs put on my car right now and have had absolutely no problems.

Where did u get ur blue LED bulbs ?? =P

[skistud]

make this, patent it, and sell it, that is going to look hot and i definitely want that

[Jrunr]

I'll Buy!!! Please PM me the cost and details. Hell, I will even pay in advance if you'd like!!!

[zachf88]

I want those!! They are sooo nice!!! Should I PM you, or you PM me?

[Buttafuoco]

Ha..I'm glad you like them, but I can't start selling them just yet.

[intonation]

subscribed

[slimmj0k3r]

buttafuoco: got you a price on those OE connectors. check your PM

[davis449]

I am so ready for this one! Keep the good work coming!

[Buttafuoco]

Bump.

Pictues installed coming soon.

[chopsticks]

I Want!!!!

[Buttafuoco]

haha...wait until you see the real thing.

i'm having printed circuits made for these.

[Sanjman]

Jeff

Honestly you have already done everyone a favor... just make them and sell em... make some bucks. You are da shit.

Also, what is the temperature rating on the LEDs (to make sure we aren't melting anything ), along with angle of the light pattern? I'm asking because if the LED shines too narrow they may not hit the reflectors enough and actually lose functionality as citylight and if it's too wide then we might have a problem with the lights getting in peoples eyesight while driving.

Lastly, pcbexpress is kind of expensive but really easy and simple to use and you can probably create a shitload of these pcbs on a single large pcb and just cut them out to save money.

Last of the last, make sure you place enough capacitance from supply to ground to prevent the LED from voltage spikes that may cause damage. A nice LC circuit would definitely protect it the bulb really well. And if use a HEAVY cap you can even create a semi cool fade in and fade out effect.

[cfujikawa]

i'm having printed circuits made for these.

sweet

what kind of heat are you getting from the circuitry? do you see any problems with putting it in a small enclosure, such as the headlight housing?

we really appreciate all the work you're putting into this buttafuoco!

[B7 Projectile]

[O_O][O_O] I WANT!!

Plans for doing the DRL's?

X2

[Buttafuoco]

Jeff

Honestly you have already done everyone a favor... just make them and sell em... make some bucks. You are da shit.

Also, what is the temperature rating on the LEDs (to make sure we aren't melting anything ), along with angle of the light pattern? I'm asking because if the LED shines too narrow they may not hit the reflectors enough and actually lose functionality as citylight and if it's too wide then we might have a problem with the lights getting in peoples eyesight while driving.

Lastly, pcbexpress is kind of expensive but really easy and simple to use and you can probably create a shitload of these pcbs on a single large pcb and just cut them out to save money.

Last of the last, make sure you place enough capacitance from supply to ground to prevent the LED from voltage spikes that may cause damage. A nice LC circuit would definitely protect it the bulb really well. And if use a HEAVY cap you can even create a semi cool fade in and fade out effect.

Haha...thanks Sanj. I really only want to make sure that people get what they pay for.

The LEDs that I chose are rated for operation up to ~85C and have internal temperature compensation. I tested this in my halogen housings with both 55W bulbs on in still air...worst case scenario.

The viewing angle is 120deg...which I felt was good enough to bounce around the reflector a bit.

PCBexpress is the outfit that's making the boards. It's cheaper in the long run since it will drastically reduce the time it takes me to build them.

I thought about using an analog filter and/or a PTC pass element, but inductors take up a lot of real estate and thermistors are easily damaged...so I threw in a 600W transient suppressor and an automotive regulator.

[Buttafuoco]

sweet

what kind of heat are you getting from the circuitry? do you see any problems with putting it in a small enclosure, such as the headlight housing?

we really appreciate all the work you're putting into this buttafuoco!

The power resistor (the big black thing in the photo) will get hot to the touch, but everything else will be cool. I would recommend keeping other wires away from the circuit, but it shouldn't be an issue.

The bulb itself generates very little heat so your housings are safe.

[Jrunr]

Man, You need to hurry up and bring this bad boy to market!!! lol

I am definitley wanting to be one of the first on your list when these come out. How can we make that happen? I DEFINITELY want these ASAP!!!