motorcycle tail/brake light conversion help!

[myseven]

Hi

Was given this forum by a friend, and looks to be the place that can help. I need to convert the rear tail light of my motorcycle to luxeon star LED. I am thinking of using 5 stars, 2 for tail light and 3 for the brake light. I was given one to try, but in my inexperience I have broken it these are bright enough for the job I want them to do. The power source is 12 volts. will the luxeon star run at 12 volts? what size of heat sink will be needed for them? and above all, how would I go about wiring these up?
electronics in not my best subject, so if it could be explained easy enough for my thick head to take it in

many thanks

Paul

 

[Darell]

I'll leave it to the guys who know electronics to talk about that stuff - but I will tell you that 1W emitters is PLENTY of light for any brake light. No, they can NOT be driven directly on 12V! Don't try or it will be the last time you see light from your emitters.

Since brake lights aren't used for continuous duty, the star configuration will probably be enough heat sink if the emitter is driven at 350mA or less. Even so, I always over-do the heat-sink for security.

Here is a third brake light that I built with two LS/o's:
http://www.darelldd.com/ev/rav_brakelight.htm

What I'd really like to use is a single under-driven 5W in the middle. But the 5W reds don't exist yet....

 

[myseven]

hmmm bit late, I was told that it could take 12volts, thats probably why the luxeon star I was given, no longer works /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif . I think looking at your link you gave 2 Ls's for a tail light and 2 Ls's for a brake light should be bright enough.
just need to now how to make them work, I have a heat sink off an old PII chip that I can cut up and use. any help guys would be great. the reason I need to do this change is. my motorcycle is an off road bike converted to road use, with sports bike wheels. and the output power is only 74 watts, to run the ignition system and lighting. so when you apply the brakes the lights dim and its not safe at night!!.

thanks in advance

Paul

 

[zorba]

Did you have a look at Aerostitch site? They used to sell direct drop in led mods for motorcycle break lights.

 

[georges80]

Darell, I really like the driver board you are using /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Myseven - you definitely need electronics to convert the nominal 12V from the battery to the constant current that the Luxeon needs. A current regulated switcher like the one in Darell's EV is one way to go. One that is tolerant of the nasties of the automotive electrical system is a good idea too...

You can find the driver that Darell is using in his EV here my driver.

george.

 

[myseven]

Hi

thanks for the tip, but the way the aftermarket light unit is made the bulb is sideways? left to right and not rear facing or I would have had a set of these. and made life a lot easier.

thanks

Paul

 

[Darell]

Thanks for the compliment on my board, George! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

For direct replacement LED lights, try here: http://www.customdynamics.com/index.htm

These are 5mm packages, and they are the highest quality I've yet seen. As far as you bulb being sideways - you aren't going to easly create a drop-in replacement. Every one I've done involves LOTS of epoxy.

 

[NightStorm]

There is also these:

http://www.texasfairing.com

and

http://www.texasfairing.com/starbrights.htm

Dan

<EDIT> Well its several hours later and my mind was wandering. All of the sudden this thought comes up out of nowhere, "He said its a dirt bike that he's converting to Super-Motard.". Doh!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif Sorry about that. Myseven, if you can give me a clue as to what the bike is maybe I could actually help this time.

 

[myseven]

HI

Its a XR650R with Acerbis aftermarket legal lights????? have priced luxeon stars, and at the price they are maybe out of my budget. Some ultra bright clear lense red led's would do the trick. but what or which to get there are sooooo many on the market. so any /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif would be great.
can use a soldering iron so thats half the battle, I think /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

thanks

Paul who likes s&m
super motard before you ask /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[NightStorm]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

Dan