6 replies to this topic

[MarkMcc]

Hi All,

 

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but I'm sure someone will fill me in!

 

I've been a bit concerned with how easily Mr Range Rover etc. can see my very low brake lights in traffic.

I'm sure they and their ilk can only see the top half of my rear screen and I am not comfortable with this.

 

This is my first draft of the high level LED strip (Think Bentley!   )

 

 

I'm not completely happy with it, for these reasons:

1. The adhesive is visible and a bit manky looking. This will get worse with time, I'm certain.
2. The LED strip is not seated nicely in the foam. This is because the slot I cut is not uniform in width or depth due to my cutting methods!
3. It's not bright enough. I might need a strip with brighter or more closely spaced LEDs.
4. The individual details of the LED strip are clearly visible, looks a bit homemade. Possibly include some diffuse tape (Scotch?) over the LED strip to make it seem more like one light rather than several bulbs.
5. I somehow managed to cut the foam strip too short on the N/S! Can't realy see this on the pics, but it's annoying! 

But, it IS a first draft, so I am happy to receive comments and suggestions!

 

 

How I made this magnificent beast:

 

I bought some materials:

 

 

Adhesive foam strip 10mm x 25mm (This might have to be deeper to allow a nicer slot to be cut - maybe 12 or 15mm)

5050 LED strip

That's it!

 

You can also sort of see the slot I had to cut and gouge out of the foam. I had to make it wider at the bottom to accommodate the shape of the LED strip (think isosceles trapezium), and also maximise the adhesive contact to the window.

This was difficult, dirty and time consuming with scalpels, picture mount cutter, dremel and anything else I thought might work.

 

Wiring was a simple as dropping the wires through the parcel shelf and connecting to the brake light/ earth at the O/S light cluster in the boot.

(I know this is a bit ratty looking in the pic, but it's just a test rig at the moment)

 

Here's a couple of closeups so you can see the grotty adhesive:

 

This one kind of shows how the slot in the foam is narrower than the LED strip (not as much of the PCB can be seen).

 

 

 

This one shows how the adhesive did not stick uniformly to the glass. Look just to the right of my majestic shadow, sort of looks like an air bubble.

It's actually because the slot I cut is not uniform inside and the LED strip is not seated flat, this warps the foam and stops it from sitting flat against the glass.

 

 

 

OK, let me know how you would have done it better!

 

Cheers

 

Mark

[mab01uk]

A few photos and ideas in these old TMF threads linked below which may help.....I would certainly advise anyone driving a classic Mini in modern traffic and on motorways to fit a discreet High Level LED brake light to avoid being rear ended by modern SUV's, etc not used to seeing a low classic car with no high level lights.

 

High Level Brake Light Recommendations:-

http://www.theminifo...ecommendations/

 

Classic Mini High Level Brake Light:-

http://www.theminifo...el-brake-light/

Edited by mab01uk, 04 April 2020 - 01:26 PM.

[MarkMcc]

Cheers, I saw all those before and, whilst some were ok, I thought I'd try something different.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

This is a good thread too but I like the way you're trying something different.

[MarkMcc]

Thanks, that's a good one too. Haven't seen it before.
I don't (yet) have a 3d printer, but I do have ideas....

[MiddletoM]

What yellow is that?

I had mine painted in Mustang Triple Yellow, looks very similar.I also opted for a black roof!

[[email protected]]

I love that you are working out a DIY solution MarkMcc!

 

Back in the day, I sprung for and installed one of these PlasmaGlow tailgate bars (http://www.plasmaglo...e-tailgate-bar/) by fabricating some hooks that slipped under the top inner edge of the window rubber in order to hang it down in the rear window. 

 

I liked that it was very bright and that it also has the white reverse lights and turn signal components as well.

 

Nowadays, you can get much less expensive LED Motorcycle Taillights with Turn Signals (no reverse though) that would also need some mechanism for installing since most are designed to adhere to the exterior of the vehicle, but again - I love that you are working out your own "wall-to-wall" Bentley-like solution.  

 

My suggestion for your #4 issue...

 

The individual details of the LED strip are clearly visible, looks a bit homemade [so I would like to] make it seem more like one light rather than several bulbs 

 

...is possibly using a thin strip of red lens repair tape over the middle LED section...?