I've made LED backup lights that don't suck! lol

ClutchKickChris · Mon, May-10-2010, 11:31:16 AM

I have OEM LED tails on my car and always thought the backup lights should match to complete the package. I tried the jlevisw V2 LED bulbs and they were pretty...junk.

Recently I've been into building custom LED flashlights and I applied this to my car. The result is awesome!:woot:

I'm running CREE Xlamp XP-G LED emitters, which are the most effecient LED's power/lumen available thus far. These babys pump out the lumens and they do get quite warm. Driver boards run at 1000ma, 8-18v input. Technically I could run the XP-G's at up to 1500ma but I wanted to see how warm they would get at lower current first.

Below on the LEFT is the custom LED module I've assembled, the right is the Jlevisw V2. Nice bright output, no bluish "r1cer" color.

Both custom LED emitters

As you can see the beam is more focused to be thrown out that back at a much higher intensity than the jlevis led bulbs or even OEM were capable of doing. It's a shame BMW didn't do this from the factory to complete the LED look. Even better they pop right in and are 100% reversible. The custom LED emitters utilize a OEM socket and connection

**Obioban** · Mon, May-10-2010, 11:48:31 AM

Very nice!

How about some front turn signals to finish off all the non LED exterior bulbs?

mugenh22a4 · Mon, May-10-2010, 12:09:22 PM

VERY nice! You have a PM.

B1G · Mon, May-10-2010, 12:19:11 PM

interesting! Will you be selling these?

bimmer777 · Mon, May-10-2010, 12:33:57 PM

What year is your M3? Pre-2003.5 cars have different taillights and a different reflector for the reverse lights. Mine is a 2004 with LED tails and I've tried various LED bulbs for reverse lights and they didn't quite work, although worked perfectly for pre-2003.5 models.

If you have post 2004 LED tails and that is indeed the result, I would be very interested. Please let us know if you can fabricate a few.

Highpower11 · Mon, May-10-2010, 12:45:14 PM

Nice job.

Very interested as well.

Joker_9 · Mon, May-10-2010, 01:04:12 PM

Mmmm interesting, I like this.

Rakshas · Mon, May-10-2010, 01:43:28 PM

Exactly how warm are we talking here? A very cool idea, but I don't exactly want to melt my housings over time/start a fire(though I do realize these are only ever on for a very brief time, better safe than sorry).

phat///M3 · Mon, May-10-2010, 01:53:47 PM

Cool mod, those can probably blind people that are behind you at the lights.

mugenh22a4 · Mon, May-10-2010, 02:03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakshas

Exactly how warm are we talking here? A very cool idea, but I don't exactly want to melt my housings over time/start a fire(though I do realize these are only ever on for a very brief time, better safe than sorry).

I doubt they generate more heat than the halogen back up lights. Incandescent bulbs have a very low luminous efficiency (about 20% max), meaning 80% of the energy is converted to heat. A LED bulb is much more efficient, (up t0 80%).

Mon, May-10-2010, 11:31:16 AM	#1
ClutchKickChris Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,580 Reputation: 0 Location: Tampa	I've made LED backup lights that don't suck! lol I have OEM LED tails on my car and always thought the backup lights should match to complete the package. I tried the jlevisw V2 LED bulbs and they were pretty...junk. Recently I've been into building custom LED flashlights and I applied this to my car. The result is awesome!:woot: I'm running CREE Xlamp XP-G LED emitters, which are the most effecient LED's power/lumen available thus far. These babys pump out the lumens and they do get quite warm. Driver boards run at 1000ma, 8-18v input. Technically I could run the XP-G's at up to 1500ma but I wanted to see how warm they would get at lower current first. Below on the LEFT is the custom LED module I've assembled, the right is the Jlevisw V2. Nice bright output, no bluish "r1cer" color. Both custom LED emitters As you can see the beam is more focused to be thrown out that back at a much higher intensity than the jlevis led bulbs or even OEM were capable of doing. It's a shame BMW didn't do this from the factory to complete the LED look. Even better they pop right in and are 100% reversible. The custom LED emitters utilize a OEM socket and connection __________________ 05 M3 ZCP Last edited by ClutchKickChris; Mon, May-10-2010 at 11:45:53 AM.

Mon, May-10-2010, 11:48:31 AM	#2
Obioban M3Forum Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 23,459 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: SE PA	Very nice! How about some front turn signals to finish off all the non LED exterior bulbs? __________________ Current Cars: 2005 IR/IR M3, 2003 TiAg M5, 1995 S50 B32 GT3 RS Green M3 Race Car _____Former Cars: 2004 TiAg/IR M3, 1996 TV/black M3, 1995 AW M3 shell Useful stuff: Objective suspension comparison, DIY suspension install VIDEOS (e36 version), Stick Driving Basics, e46 Climate Control, Better Fuel Economy 101, 10W-60 TWS Everything on the car: Mod List __________ HighRes M Wallpapers (Misc collected pics) <--- save target to desktop Selling: Suspensions, brakes, safety equipment, etc (ask away!) Renting: Valve shim adjustment kit, RTAB tool, Ball joint tool

Mon, May-10-2010, 12:09:22 PM	#3
mugenh22a4 เป็นคนจีน Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,404 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	VERY nice! You have a PM. __________________ 2008 ISF, Smokey Granite Mica on Black

Mon, May-10-2010, 12:19:11 PM	#4
B1G DIFFERENT ! Join Date: May 2007 Age: 47 Posts: 2,071 Reputation: 0 Location: South shore of Montreal	interesting! Will you be selling these? __________________ = [19"] NEEZ Eurocross Super = [18"] RAC RG63 = Yokohama Advan Sport = TCK SA 450/500 = PowerFlex RTAB's = LED Angle eyes = Custom molded CSL style splitters = Fog delete with custom fiberglass filler duct = Re-wired fog light switch (now turns on inners) = Nokya yellow halogens (inners) = Painted exterior part of kidney grills = Painted (no CF exposed) VCSL diffuser = Custom airbrushed interior trim = 6 series SMG shift knob = GSP Brake pedal = Kenwood Double Din = Eclipse AMP = Sub-frame reinforcement (Thanks to the great guys at BimmerShop) = Streamline drop in filter = Aluminum shift paddles = Lightwerkz 55w Xenon uipgrade PICS (1) Views and opinions expressed in my posts, are my views and opinions and in no way is it implied that they are the views of the mass.

Mon, May-10-2010, 12:33:57 PM	#5
bimmer777 I drive an AWD Turdbro Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,237 Reputation: 0 Location: NYC	What year is your M3? Pre-2003.5 cars have different taillights and a different reflector for the reverse lights. Mine is a 2004 with LED tails and I've tried various LED bulbs for reverse lights and they didn't quite work, although worked perfectly for pre-2003.5 models. If you have post 2004 LED tails and that is indeed the result, I would be very interested. Please let us know if you can fabricate a few. __________________ "Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows" - Walter Röhrl

Mon, May-10-2010, 12:45:14 PM	#6
Highpower11 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 605 Reputation: 0 Location: NH	Nice job. Very interested as well. __________________ ___________________ 06 /// M3 ZCP, 6MT, Interlagos Blau Metallic \ M-Alcantara\ Volk RE30\ VMR 701 (winter)\ CDV delete\ ESS ECU Tune\ RPI Scoops\ BMC Filter\ Turner aluminum Race Pedals\ Rogue FR 10mm spacers\ Rogue RSM\ Vogtland Springs\ \ V1 Hardwire\ DICE/iPhone\ Smoked corners\ painted reflectors\ ZHP illuminated Alcantara shift knob\ HID fog's\ LightWerkz TFX\ Nav, Power seats & Sunroof delete\ Coming Soon: Euro Headers & Cats

Mon, May-10-2010, 01:04:12 PM	#7
Joker_9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 116 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Tucson, AZ	Mmmm interesting, I like this.

Mon, May-10-2010, 01:43:28 PM	#8
Rakshas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,350 In the garage: '07 VOLKSWAGEN GTI '02 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Bay Area	Exactly how warm are we talking here? A very cool idea, but I don't exactly want to melt my housings over time/start a fire(though I do realize these are only ever on for a very brief time, better safe than sorry). __________________

Mon, May-10-2010, 01:53:47 PM	#9
phat///M3 - OEM CSL Baby - Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,590 Reputation: 0 Location: Monaco -> Marbella	Cool mod, those can probably blind people that are behind you at the lights. __________________ ///M3 CB/BLK Alcantara - SOLD H&R ¦ Brembo ¦ Eisenmann Le Mans ¦ OEM CSL Bootlid // Interior // Diffuser // Wheels ¦ VCSL Full CF Front Bumper ¦ ACS ¦ Rogue Engineering ¦ Recaro Child Seat ¬ Mini Cooper 'Virus' LY/BLK H&R ¦ OEM Aero Kit ¦ JCW Chrome Mirrors ¦ 17" Split Rims ¦ Black Front grills & side grills ¦ Recaro Child seat *- OEM CSL BABY -*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode