so I guess you think I lack circuit board skills???


yeah, I dont have etching stuff so I had to use my dremel. And I know I globbed on the solder.

No that'* perfectly acceptable I have built my own boards in the same fashon. I found that if I stripped a piece of wire (16-18ga) and cut one strand that I could bend it, tack it and solder an entire trace. Another method I like to use is just use a one sided board and after making the circuit place it in the bottom of a circuit box (or any suitable shaped dish, portion cups, parts container, what ever you have on hand), and use a potting compound which will weather proof it, but makes repair a bear. If you size all your componets right then they will usually last a very long time in this application. For loads such as the load resistor you simply cut a small area for a small heatsink and mount it flush with the inside and mount the resistor right up against it applying a liberal amount of heat sink compound. Then pour in the compound slowly (putting it in a vacuum chamber is best, but this method is good enough) Done like this itshould outlast the LED if you know what I mean .

Jeff

Lets step back to the led'* I think were used originally. I read 30 degree somewhere. While I claim to know next to nothing about LED'* (I had an expert on hand that day) I do know that 30 degrees is a small viewing angle and you might benefit from say something like a 70 degree LED.

Tractor Trailer LED'* have a broader viewing angle than 30* but you have to remember most have a lens that difuses the light tso it is seen more easily from different angles. They are also DOT approved which the ones I (and just about everyone else) have done are not. They are close enough to fool most cops, but I did have a set that got a friend pulled over and issuesd a ticket because they were too bright.

Jeff

If I run my set up at the voltages I would like, I think I will be in the same boat as your friend

Another option for people who want to do small areas is regular trailer lights are available with LEDs.

I'll look around for some of the information I have. I think Lumnitex (sp) made the modules I posted and they were designed with the DOT in mind. I will have to search to find the DOT info I had but I remember that there was a statment on color (in wavelength) and intensity. Try Waytek they have some good lights even White for reverse lights (I think they are about 2" or 3" though).

Jeff

can we get some more pictures of your custom stuff??

Most of it is on my home computer and some of it has been lost in a HD crash , I have a bunch of pics from Alarm and fuel injection installations, and 4X4 stuff that I have done, which I’m not really into, but adding oddball things to them is really fun, Compressors and storage tanks, remote starts, switchpanels, things of that nature. I’ll look on my computers when I get home and see what I can scare up.

Jeff

Look what I found. I may buy some for the Bonne when I have money again whoohoo!!
http://www.autodirectsave.com/1156_1157_LED_BULBS.asp

I chose 30 degree leds because I specifically want and LED effect. I do not want to simulate insandescents. The leds used in automotive are around a 70 - 90 degree viewing angle. I am almost finished my 3rd and final revision of my third brake light. Just waiting on a piece of smoked glass that I am getting cut. The LEDs I used in it are 70 degree.