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Home made rock light LEDs

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Old 07-09-2006, 10:56 PM
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Home made rock light LEDs

Got done with my rocklight LED project this weekend, I think I've been working on this off and on for about a year now. These are the same type of 1 watt LEDs used by roundeyes, but I only have about $35 into all 8 LEDs. I won't be posting how to make these out of respect for roundeyes, but if you have a little knowledge of electronics, how LEDs work and do a little internet research, you can figure it out. However, if we happen to meet at the campfire, I'd be glad to tell you.

BTW, my driver circuitry is far from efficient (I never did like EE), but it works well enough. Combined, all 8 only draw 1.4 amps.









Originally, I was going to just slather liquid electrical tape over the circuit board where the wires are soldered on. I changed my mind and mounted them in epoxy, but I think it would have worked.

Last edited by Robinhood150; 07-26-2006 at 10:12 AM.
Old 07-10-2006, 06:24 AM
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dude,

stop wrenching.....lets go wheeling......have you had a dry run yet?
Old 07-10-2006, 06:54 AM
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Very cool. I have thought about building some too. Just need to do some research on the subject. I can dig it.
Old 07-10-2006, 06:55 AM
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One question...

Where did you get the clear plastic pieces? Did you make them yourself? I have been wanting to put some LEDs under my running boards because the boards themselves have lights, but they don't light up the ground underneath. Actually quite the opposite since they are pointed up towards your face. :pat: I don't particularly want to spend $150 just for some convenience either. You going to make it to big bear for the DvD/TTORA event?

Last edited by turboale; 07-10-2006 at 06:58 AM.
Old 07-10-2006, 10:55 AM
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Art, I just got my front driveshaft last week so if you count flexing on some ruble at work, then yeah, it's been on a dry run...
I'm planning on going to the club bbq run.

Austin, I made those. Basically, you put the LEDs into a cup and pour special epoxy over them. But like I said, liquid electrical tape like the bottom picture should work too. No, I won't be making that trip.

Last edited by Robinhood150; 07-10-2006 at 11:07 AM.
Old 07-14-2006, 12:53 PM
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looks like theyre just all wired in parallel. possibly with a fuse in there...
Old 07-14-2006, 12:59 PM
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very cool. looks like a practicle application for neon to me! something else to spend my money that I dont have on!
Old 07-14-2006, 04:25 PM
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Steve... I'm doing the SAME thing. Epoxy and all.


Originally Posted by dfoxengr
looks like theyre just all wired in parallel. possibly with a fuse in there...
Careful... There's a bit more to running those than you think.

It's really not fair to talk about it here in the open. Do the 'net research and you'll pop up circuits to use.
Old 07-14-2006, 04:30 PM
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or i can go ask my circuits professor :-p
Old 07-14-2006, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by dfoxengr
or i can go ask my circuits professor :-p
That'll work.
Old 07-14-2006, 09:31 PM
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Is it ok to ask where you purchased your materials from?

Thanks
Old 07-15-2006, 05:20 PM
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I would love to know what kind of "special epoxy" that is.

TIA
Old 07-26-2006, 08:54 AM
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Any update on the epoxy used for this? I can figure out the circuitry easily enough.

Thanks
Old 07-26-2006, 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by 914runner
Any update on the epoxy used for this? I can figure out the circuitry easily enough.
Dude, you're not trying hard enough... Think boat building. Think that people will use "epoxy" and "resin" as synonyms. Think google for searching for something clear, that's an epoxy or a resin.
Old 07-26-2006, 10:06 AM
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Woops, didn't see all these responses since the 14th.

I'm not sure where a consumer could buy the epoxy I used, but the boating thing sounds good.

No fuses in the pictures above and some of the lights are in parallel and some are in series. The lights you can buy straight from lumileds and all the rest of the electronics were bought off the shelf from Fry's and other electronic stores.

Do an internet search for luxeon, drivers, circuitry, etc.
Old 07-26-2006, 10:44 AM
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Did you take any pictures of your epoxying process?

Thanks
Old 07-26-2006, 11:45 AM
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No I didn't.
Old 07-29-2006, 07:02 PM
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Can't really make out the color code on the resistor. What size is it?

Thanks,
T-BONE
Old 07-29-2006, 09:35 PM
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If you google diligently enough you'll find the same write ups I did.
Old 07-31-2006, 07:17 PM
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Made some of these yesterday to mount in my tool box and some on aluminum jon boat. The plastic I used around the lights was casting resin and catalyst bought from a craft store of all places. Circuits are easy to find with Google search for les circuits or something to that effect.

T-BONE


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