Notices
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018) Forum for all 1990 - 2018 ES Models

2ES Project Thread: Custom LED Lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 15, 2009 | 10:09 PM
  #16  
lej1447's Avatar
lej1447
Driver
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

If you replace a LED by soldering, what happens if you LED has opposite polarity, don't you need to solder it again to switch the positive and negative direction? Just wondering how you plan to tackle this potential issue?

Reply
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 08:29 PM
  #17  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by lej1447
If you replace a LED by soldering, what happens if you LED has opposite polarity, don't you need to solder it again to switch the positive and negative direction? Just wondering how you plan to tackle this potential issue?

Haha. I made the board easy to remember. The side with more holes on it is the positive end, so the board would go left to right or right to left in terms of polarity. That way I'll always know which end to put on if I ever decide to change it up a bit

+- +- +- <--example
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 07:48 PM
  #18  
Choas's Avatar
Choas
Lexus Champion
CL Folding 10,000
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 4
From: Ny
Default

AMAZING simply amazing and so simple and straight forward....why didn't we think of this sooner.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 07:55 PM
  #19  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Wrapping it up now. Install will take place tomorrow or later this week. Hopefully no bulb out warning lights or I'll have to add another component....

This picture shows how I connected the + and - parts together.



This is how it will supposedly look in the housing...



Test fitted...



Comparo with LED vs original bulbs. I like the sparkling effect!





Picture showing the output compared to normal bulbs. Some hot spots but its definitely on par if not brighter than OEMs





Thats it for now. Will do shots later once its installed and working correctly
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 09:40 PM
  #20  
BadViper22's Avatar
BadViper22
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
From: FL, O-Town
Default

You know what you have to do next right?
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 10:13 PM
  #21  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Choas
AMAZING simply amazing and so simple and straight forward....why didn't we think of this sooner.
Hehe, thanks! I just finally got around to it since its finally Summer time
Originally Posted by BadViper22
You know what you have to do next right?
Of course, I'm sure most people are itching for final shots. They'll be up soon if the thing works correctly. Hopefully no problems from here until install
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 01:41 AM
  #22  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

They're in! ! But, bulb warning light. I need a load resistor to cancel it out but it still lights up perfectly. The only problem is I don't know which load resistor to get because I am having trouble with Ohm's Law lol. No pics on the car for now. I do have some with just a normal 12V battery like before but its late

Anyone help me in my predicament?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 12:38 PM
  #23  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

GAHHH. They burnt out . Time to diagnose. Sorry guys but this project is taking longer than I thought
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

 Brett Foote
story-4

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 04:51 PM
  #24  
BadViper22's Avatar
BadViper22
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
From: FL, O-Town
Default

Originally Posted by eyezack87
GAHHH. They burnt out . Time to diagnose. Sorry guys but this project is taking longer than I thought
Damn bro, really sorry to hear that. I don't know if this helps but my friend had red led's in his trunk and they kept burning out too even though he was giving them the proper voltage. We have absolutely no knowledge of watts and amps but we had someone come over and resist the amps and they were able to safely operate while still running about .3 volts under the rating. Wish you the best luck, keep us updated.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 11:38 PM
  #25  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Yup, will do. I'm considering trying one last time with the 5mm LEDs or just upgrading to Superflux LEDs. I'll probably have to decide all this before I leave for Hong Kong on the 8th. I'll post the pictures later of the set up for demonstration purposes though for all of you guys. I loved it while it lasted, put it that way
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 11:54 PM
  #26  
Choas's Avatar
Choas
Lexus Champion
CL Folding 10,000
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 4
From: Ny
Default

Try like a 330 ohm resistor if not a 500 ohm and maybe even a voltage regulator
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #27  
lej1447's Avatar
lej1447
Driver
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Google for calculator on Ohm, resistance, and voltage. Figure out how many LED you have, how much voltage is known, and how much resistance to get. Too much ohm resistance can generate lots of heat to melt your red lens or board or surrounding parts. Too little resistance can lead to short LED life. You can start out with 150, 200 or 250 ohm resistor. If resistance is too high, your LED won't even get any electricity, and you won't get LED to lit up.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 12:45 AM
  #28  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Choas
Try like a 330 ohm resistor if not a 500 ohm and maybe even a voltage regulator
Originally Posted by lej1447
Google for calculator on Ohm, resistance, and voltage. Figure out how many LED you have, how much voltage is known, and how much resistance to get. Too much ohm resistance can generate lots of heat to melt your red lens or board or surrounding parts. Too little resistance can lead to short LED life. You can start out with 150, 200 or 250 ohm resistor. If resistance is too high, your LED won't even get any electricity, and you won't get LED to lit up.


I actually used a site to calculate the resistance I would need for my car using the right values. Oddly enough, my 2ES brake lights fluctuate up to 15.6v and I had only accounted for about 13.4v. I actually needed something much more powerful to sustain the LEDs. It was a mistake I didn't take into account as most cars run 13.4v max. Its all good though, I have about 150 more red High Intensity LEDs left. Just have to desolder the board now
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 07:07 PM
  #29  
tomstep2's Avatar
tomstep2
Pole Position
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: GA
Default

Keep us posted on your progress!
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2009 | 02:30 AM
  #30  
eyezack87's Avatar
eyezack87
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Will do. I figure that since the board is cheap, I'll just start over and keep the burnt out board as a memento as to what happened. Sort of a version 1.0 to speak. I've talked to the gurus at hidplanet and they suggested that if I must keep using the 5mm LEDs, a 3 series set will be a much better choice. So that is what I will do.

I'll be cutting up the board again on Monday assuming I'm not helping my gf install her LED door sill covers that involve taking apart her whole electrical system in the doors (). Down to my last 2 pieces that I can cut so hopefully this will be it
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:47 PM.

story-0
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-3
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

Slideshow: comparing the pricings, specs, power, fuel economy, fun-factor, and features of the GX 550 Luxury+ and TX 550h+ Luxury.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-19 13:44:11


VIEW MORE
story-5
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

Slideshow: 9 best Lexus models you can buy for half price and 1 you should avoid

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-19 12:01:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

Here's everything you need to know about the latest NX.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-19 11:56:59


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)

Slideshow: reviewing the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Luxury plug-in hybrid crossover SUV!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-05 19:04:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus and Toyota model of the 1990s ranked.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-04 12:35:11


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models

Slideshow: 10 Toyotas that could have been Lexus models.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 11:44:33


VIEW MORE