LED light conversion kits....Guaging interest.

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:53 pm

I have been considering this project for a while and figure now I have a bit more time on my hands I might make a go of it. I was wondering if anyone else would be interested in it if the prototype fitted to my GTI completes my abusive testing....

The kit would consist of all the parts you need to replace every single external light on any 6N polo to appropriate LEDs (With the exception of the two headlight bulbs and the fog lights) [Although I am looking into dealing with the rear fog light]

Why use LEDs?
--Lower power consumption
---Much brighter light output
--Crisper light switching (Either on or off, so no warm up or cool down time like you get with normal lights)...Its subtle but definitely noticeable especially on the indicators..
--Pure white light for the sidelights to match the HIDs of the GTI and to make the sidelights a bit more useful
--And the best bit....All of the LEDs are guaranteed for 1000,000 (million) hours (Thatâ€™s over a hundred years of continuous use!)...so you will never have to change a bulb ever again!!!

Although Iâ€™m still in the design process of an "end product" that would make you all happy, the kit would include the following (Using the latest Philips LED modules)
--Pair of rear LED carriers pre-fitted with all LEDs and circuitry (On an exchange basis for your normal plug in bulb carriers!)
--Pair of indicator repeater LED modules (Possibly on an exchange basis for your standard ones, but im still deciding that one)
--Pair of front LED indicator modules
--Pair of Sidelight LED modules
--1 set of Ultra-bright LEDs for Centre Brake light unit
--1 Custom LED indicator flasher control unit.
--And of course a foolproof installation manual (As if you would need one!)

The idea would be that it all just plugs and clips into place as easily as possible.(The hardest part is getting at the front light clusters)

Initial costing puts the kit, complete and ready to install at around Â£65-Â£75 plus postage. (Of course, you could pick and choose which bits you wanted to suit your â€œlookâ€

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:44 pm

Possibly depending on how it looks when finished

MaxZ · Post by **MaxZ** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:59 pm

definitely me again depending on the look of them

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:12 pm

As its still in the design stage, the final look is very much open to negotiation to be honest.

I had origionally intended them to all look standard, just a lot brighter (With exception to the sidelights which are white)

But I have been playing with various LED designs that have varying effects...

Especially regarding the rear light clusters, its possible to project a spot of light onto the exterior lens so that you effectivley have small round rear lights..

Hard to explain...Il get some pics up next week

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:14 pm

Look forward to seeing some pics

MaxZ · Post by **MaxZ** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:24 pm

My guess is that the biggest interest will be in the the rear clusters/fog lights. Those would be the 2 I'd be interested in changing over.

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:46 pm

Same here, I'd be up for the rear. Especially if it's plug and play.

h4r1s · Post by **h4r1s** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:16 pm

would definately be interested in swapping my foglights for something better

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:29 pm

i'm up for it!!! keep us posted

Post by **alexperkins** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:17 am

Im the only one on here with real LED foglights. Doesnt it feel great to be unique

- and as for the center brake unit...this is already a set of leds which are surface mounted. From experience, i know they are a biatch to change!!

PD · Post by PD » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:59 am

I would so be interested in a kit like this. let me know how it goes!

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:39 am

I'd be interested in the LED rear lights, expecially if the units *look* standard

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:01 pm

Right...Had a bit of a play with various different LEDs inside my light clusters and gave me some interesting ideas...

What do people recon to these layouts? (They are Photoshop drawings because I dont have enough LEDs in my box of tricks to show you what it would really look like at the moment)

Both would look totaly standard until you turn the lights on, then you would get the pattern shown below....(Obviously properly spaced and all lighned up neatly!!!)

Brake
Indicator
Sidelight
Reverse/Fog

Filled lights:

Surround lights

The issue with the above is that the rear light cluster itself would have to be perminantly modified...not sure if this is an issue for any of you?!?

The idea for the above would be to use surface mounted LEDs fitted to a set of printed circuit boards to ensure reliability and neatness...I have the equipment to make the circuit boards "in house" so thats not an issue.

The other option, which I already have fitted to my sidelights at the back is to simply replace the existing bulbs with high intensity LEDs, this would give a similar light pattern to standard, just be a lot brighter...Not as interesting though..

Any thoughts or comments welcome as always.

Edited to say, it would be possible to supply the light units with a switch so you can change between the "filled" and the "surround" lights if you really wanted to, again, if there is enough interest then it can be done!

MaxZ · Post by **MaxZ** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:16 pm

I'd go for the filled option, especially if you can make them more "filled", i.e. More small LEDs, because IMO they look best when it looks like the whole section is filled but you realise its only because there's loads of small LEDs

8080 · Post by **8080** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:45 pm

I like the idea

3 filled rows looks best

Maybe bulbs are better in the rear foglight and reverse though?

Some people have led brake lights, by cutting up hella leds---