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.

 

dude,

stop wrenching.....lets go wheeling......have you had a dry run yet?

 

Very cool. I have thought about building some too. Just need to do some research on the subject. I can dig it.

 

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?

 

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.

 

looks like theyre just all wired in parallel. possibly with a fuse in there...

 

very cool. looks like a practicle application for neon to me! something else to spend my money that I dont have on!

 

Steve... I'm doing the SAME thing. Epoxy and all.


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.

 

or i can go ask my circuits professor :-p

 

That'll work.

 

Is it ok to ask where you purchased your materials from?

Thanks

 

I would love to know what kind of "special epoxy" that is.

TIA

 

Any update on the epoxy used for this? I can figure out the circuitry easily enough.

Thanks

 

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.

 

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.

 

Did you take any pictures of your epoxying process?

Thanks

 

No I didn't.

 

Can't really make out the color code on the resistor. What size is it?

Thanks,
T-BONE

 

If you google diligently enough you'll find the same write ups I did.

 

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