DIY LED brake lights. Need help.

[stupidcar]

Hi all sifu,

If i need brake light function with my below setting, what type of diode and extra resistor to add??

HPWS-FH00-H4000 Lumileds Superflux LED
Vf : 2.6V(typ)
If　: 70mA(max)
Total LED: 17

turning it on with a resistor in the 12V car (maximum voltage 14.4V) about 50mA.
I'm using 【1W 240Ω】 resistor for each superflux LED. Below is the diagram

Make it in series is way better. The led wizard should have a few options to choose right?

Can someone help me to sort my led brake light issue? I see some experts around here would really appreciate if someone could sort it out.

Should be an easy fix.
Use positive point screw and just unscrew it.
U should see what are they. If you are lucky, maybe it's just bulbs.
Bulbs are very easy to replace.

 

[levin818]

Hi all sifu,

If i need brake light function with my below setting, what type of diode and extra resistor to add??

HPWS-FH00-H4000 Lumileds Superflux LED
Vf : 2.6V(typ)
If　: 70mA(max)
Total LED: 17

turning it on with a resistor in the 12V car (maximum voltage 14.4V) about 50mA.
I'm using 【1W 240Ω】 resistor for each superflux LED. Below is the diagram

Wow... you have a great LED. Where did you get it from?
HPWS-FH00 can actually withstand 150mA and produce 11 lm flux.
If you drive it at 70mA, it only produce about 7 lm of flux.
However, to drive it at 150mA, you need to attach a proper heat sink on the PCB to dissipate the large amount of heat generated. Otherwise the LED will be dying young.

[Characteristic]
Vf = 2.19V~3.15V (Typ. 2.8V)
If = 150mA
Total Flux = 11 lm @ 150mA

Suggest you connect 4 LED in series + 22ohm (1W) resistor
At V batt = 14.4V, Vf = 2.8V, I = 145mA
At V batt = 12.5V, Vf = 2.58V, I = 99mA

Or if connected 3 LED in series + 43ohm (1W) resistor
At V batt = 14.4V, Vf = 2.8V, I = 140mA
At V batt = 12.5V, Vf = 2.6V, I = 109mA

Unless you want to apply a constant current driver, otherwise the brightness will vary with the changes of battery voltage level.

 

[artful]

your is a single led per bank - alot of power loss

why not connect 5 leds in serie per bank
5 x 2.6v = 13v
could add 28ohm resistor ( 14.4v-13v =1.4v / 50ma = 28ohm)

note: this brings up to 15 leds or 20 leds ..

Hi goohtj,
Ohhh cuz me no knowledge about electrical stuff. This setup also given by the supplier.
So what will happen alot of power loss for this setup? Longevity of the LED ok with this setup??

Make it in series is way better. The led wizard should have a few options to choose right?

Hi stupidcar,
I would like too, but i'm not using any PCB board for this setup. I'm using T10 PCB with each superflux LED. I scare later wire is mess up. Hahahaaa...see below image for the T10 PCB

Wow... you have a great LED. Where did you get it from?
HPWS-FH00 can actually withstand 150mA and produce 11 lm flux.
If you drive it at 70mA, it only produce about 7 lm of flux.
However, to drive it at 150mA, you need to attach a proper heat sink on the PCB to dissipate the large amount of heat generated. Otherwise the LED will be dying young.

[Characteristic]
Vf = 2.19V~3.15V (Typ. 2.8V)
If = 150mA
Total Flux = 11 lm @ 150mA

Suggest you connect 4 LED in series + 22ohm (1W) resistor
At V batt = 14.4V, Vf = 2.8V, I = 145mA
At V batt = 12.5V, Vf = 2.58V, I = 99mA

Or if connected 3 LED in series + 43ohm (1W) resistor
At V batt = 14.4V, Vf = 2.8V, I = 140mA
At V batt = 12.5V, Vf = 2.6V, I = 109mA

Unless you want to apply a constant current driver, otherwise the brightness will vary with the changes of battery voltage level.

Hi levin818,
Sorry i wrongly given the product code. the correct Lumileds superflux led is
HPWT-RH02 RedOrange
Vf : 2.6V(typ)
If　: 70mA(max)
Flux: （6.0-9.7lm）

I bought it while i was in Japan trip. LUMILEDS > SuperFlux - SuperFlux HPWT-RH02 RedOrange - LED
Why i don't want to go for series 4 or 3 LED because i'm not using any PCB board, I'm using T10Flux PCB for each superflux LED. (see image). I still can go for series 4 LED setup but max my tail lamp only got 17hole.(see image) 4LED x 4bank = 16Led balance 1LED how??

PS. To all sifu, sorry to mention i got no knowledge for electrical stuff. Hope all sifu can guide me hehe. Thanks

 

[stupidcar]

Hi goohtj,
Ohhh cuz me no knowledge about electrical stuff. This setup also given by the supplier.
So what will happen alot of power loss for this setup? Longevity of the LED ok with this setup??


Hi stupidcar,
I would like too, but i'm not using any PCB board for this setup. I'm using T10 PCB with each superflux LED. I scare later wire is mess up. Hahahaaa...see below image for the T10 PCB


Hi levin818,
Sorry i wrongly given the product code. the correct Lumileds superflux led is
HPWT-RH02 RedOrange
Vf : 2.6V(typ)
If　: 70mA(max)
Flux: （6.0-9.7lm）

I bought it while i was in Japan trip. LUMILEDS > SuperFlux - SuperFlux HPWT-RH02 RedOrange - LED
Why i don't want to go for series 4 or 3 LED because i'm not using any PCB board, I'm using T10Flux PCB for each superflux LED. (see image). I still can go for series 4 LED setup but max my tail lamp only got 17hole.(see image) 4LED x 4bank = 16Led balance 1LED how??

PS. To all sifu, sorry to mention i got no knowledge for electrical stuff. Hope all sifu can guide me hehe. Thanks

Odd number kinda messy weh. How about u do 4x4 then let the last one solo?
But actually, I'm not sure what im talking about ahha.
You all too high tech dy. Im gonna let the other guys comment la.

 

[thilak79]

Make it in series is way better. The led wizard should have a few options to choose right?



Should be an easy fix.
Use positive point screw and just unscrew it.
U should see what are they. If you are lucky, maybe it's just bulbs.
Bulbs are very easy to replace.

Thanks. That's the problem. I don't have the confident on doing the electronics stuff. Never had. :( anyone?

 

[stupidcar]

Thanks. That's the problem. I don't have the confident on doing the electronics stuff. Never had. :( anyone?

Noooo, u just unscrew the plastic panel and see first.
Should be an easy fix one. If its bulbs, just like plucking out only, the put another one in.

 

[goohtj]

Artful, function of replacing to led is to save energy.
normal bulb = 10 ~20watts
your 17banks led = 0.72watts x 17 = 12.24watts

as other sifu said, 4 x 4 bank + 1 ( yours) will do =17 leds
( 5 banks x 0.72w = 3.6watts)
parts needed = 4 x 80ohm 1/2watt resistor
1 x 240ohm 1 watt resistor

happy DIY ing..

 

[artful]

Odd number kinda messy weh. How about u do 4x4 then let the last one solo?
But actually, I'm not sure what im talking about ahha.
You all too high tech dy. Im gonna let the other guys comment la.

Haha i think i'll do 4x4 then.

Artful, function of replacing to led is to save energy.
normal bulb = 10 ~20watts
your 17banks led = 0.72watts x 17 = 12.24watts

as other sifu said, 4 x 4 bank + 1 ( yours) will do =17 leds
( 5 banks x 0.72w = 3.6watts)
parts needed = 4 x 80ohm 1/2watt resistor
1 x 240ohm 1 watt resistor

happy DIY ing..

goohtj,
Hahaha sorry forgot to tell you that i'm not replacing to led, i'm adding new LED to my tail light. Original tail light is using LED.

Than if i go for 3 x 6bank = 18 LED, what part should i need?? and how about the brake light function??

 

[goohtj]

Haha i think i'll do 4x4 then.


goohtj,
Hahaha sorry forgot to tell you that i'm not replacing to led, i'm adding new LED to my tail light. Original tail light is using LED.

Than if i go for 3 x 6bank = 18 LED, what part should i need?? and how about the brake light function??

so, just hide 1 led...
you need 6 resistors 1/2watt 132ohms (base on 14.4v @50ma)(12.6v @36ma)
min 100ohms ~ 132ohm max - safe zone value

in using 100ohm resistor ( 14.4v @ 66ma)(12.6v @ 48ma) - brighter

you are advice to check your leds for equal brightness before installing.

 

[levin818]

Hi levin818,
Sorry i wrongly given the product code. the correct Lumileds superflux led is
HPWT-RH02 RedOrange
Vf : 2.6V(typ)
If　: 70mA(max)
Flux: （6.0-9.7lm）

I bought it while i was in Japan trip. LUMILEDS > SuperFlux - SuperFlux HPWT-RH02 RedOrange - LED
Why i don't want to go for series 4 or 3 LED because i'm not using any PCB board, I'm using T10Flux PCB for each superflux LED. (see image). I still can go for series 4 LED setup but max my tail lamp only got 17hole.(see image) 4LED x 4bank = 16Led balance 1LED how??

PS. To all sifu, sorry to mention i got no knowledge for electrical stuff. Hope all sifu can guide me hehe. Thanks

You have a good LED. Yes you can light up 17 LEDs in equal brightness but you need a constant current driver. Alternatively, you may use Voltage Regulator IC 7809 to clamp the voltage at 9v before supply it to the LED (as suggested by Shiro). It will have very close result with using constant current driver.

---------- Post added at 03:46 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 01:24 AM ----------

Since your LED didn't attach to any heat sink, it is advice not to drive it beyond 50mA (from the datasheet)
Lets fix tail light current at 30mA, brake light current at 50mA. You may reduce the current if you see that its too bright.

From your LED's V-I curve:
When I = 50mA, Vf = 2.45V
When I = 30mA, Vf = 2.26V

[Brake Light] (+) -- 7809 -- diode ---------┐
[Tail Light] ...(+) -- 7809 -- diode -- 6R2 --•-- 22R -- LED -- LED -- LED ---•-- (-)
............................................................└-- 22R -- LED -- LED -- LED --┘
............................................................└-- 22R -- LED -- LED -- LED --┘
............................................................└-- 22R -- LED -- LED -- LED --┘
............................................................└-- 22R -- LED -- LED -- LED --┘

[Brake Light] (+) -- 7809 -- diode ---------┐
[Tail Light] ...(+) -- 7809 -- diode -- 56R --•-- 75R ---------- LED -- LED ----- (-)

Diode = 1N4007, all resistor @ 1/4W 1% tolerance

 

[me2kimi]

Sifu levin818, what is your opinion about 555 led driver? Is it ok or not to use 555 as led driver for the brake light. As far as I know, 555 also can make dimmer for the led.

Here is example of what I'm talking about.
http://www.pcbheaven.com/circuitpages/LED_PWM_Dimmer/

 

[stupidcar]

Sifu levin818, what is your opinion about 555 led driver? Is it ok or not to use 555 as led driver for the brake light. As far as I know, 555 also can make dimmer for the led.

Here is example of what I'm talking about.
An LED Array PWM Dimmer with the 555

Damn, u guys are damn good.

Btw, my lower of the 2 led row keep failing. Strangely is only by one resistor at a time.
The upper one is good, maybe it's because it's only on all the time if turned on.
The 2nd row is when the brake is applied. :\

If I put another 10ohm++ resistor on the main ower source, will it be okay?
So my 100ohm resistor for my 4 leds should be with 110ohm, can it be counted like that?

 

[me2kimi]

I think you should change to hi watt resistor type.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

 

[levin818]

Sifu levin818, what is your opinion about 555 led driver? Is it ok or not to use 555 as led driver for the brake light. As far as I know, 555 also can make dimmer for the led.

Here is example of what I'm talking about.
An LED Array PWM Dimmer with the 555

Hi me2kimi, yes it can be use but will become a bit complicated if you want to make it control by brake signal.

---------- Post added at 10:56 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------

Damn, u guys are damn good.

Btw, my lower of the 2 led row keep failing. Strangely is only by one resistor at a time.
The upper one is good, maybe it's because it's only on all the time if turned on.
The 2nd row is when the brake is applied. :\

If I put another 10ohm++ resistor on the main ower source, will it be okay?
So my 100ohm resistor for my 4 leds should be with 110ohm, can it be counted like that?

It mean you LED current is actually more than 50mA, and your actual LED voltage is about 2.1V @ 50mA. This is the 20mA LED's characteristic. You need to down tune your current to 20mA~30mA otherwise the LED will die in within a year, especially those that function as tail light.

Suggest you add a resistor 47R~62R 1/2W in series at the main source. Tail light one piece, brake light another piece.

 

[stupidcar]

Hi me2kimi, yes it can be use but will become a bit complicated if you want to make it control by brake signal.

---------- Post added at 10:56 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------



It mean you LED current is actually more than 50mA, and your actual LED voltage is about 2.1V @ 50mA. This is the 20mA LED's characteristic. You need to down tune your current to 20mA~30mA otherwise the LED will die in within a year, especially those that function as tail light.

Suggest you add a resistor 47R~62R 1/2W in series at the main source. Tail light one piece, brake light another piece.

Yes, the brake function current is higher.
Hmm, now I understand. But then when I ran the wizard I typed in 20mA too.
Know what to do dy.

 

[levin818]

Yes, the brake function current is higher.
Hmm, now I understand. But then when I ran the wizard I typed in 20mA too.
Know what to do dy.

Because your key in LED voltage at 2.8V.
You suppose to key in only 1.9V.

 

[stupidcar]

Because your key in LED voltage at 2.8V.
You suppose to key in only 1.9V.

I don't understand.

 

[levin818]

Mean you input a wrong figure of Vf into the wizard, so it calculate and gave you wrong resistance value.

 

[stupidcar]

Mean you input a wrong figure of Vf into the wizard, so it calculate and gave you wrong resistance value.

Vf is? Google don't have. Walao..

 

[me2kimi]

I think Vf=forward voltage

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus