RaptorSource.com

Other/Off-Topic => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Peelz on January 06, 2012, 11:47:27 AM

Title: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 06, 2012, 11:47:27 AM
For continued chatting about making your own instead of buying the overpriced whips, that break when you hit a tree branch. And....are basically just regular rigid LED strips, stuck inside plastic tubes.

here is one option. 12 volt. 15 feet long. that will make a nice one.

http://www.christmas-light-source.com/12-Volt-LED-Light-Set-Blue-Green-Wire_p_2202.html

I did mine with battery powered LED's for $2.10. :) totally fine for a guy who gets MAYBE one dune trip a year. Certainly not cool enough for the guy lives at the dunes. I understand that.

post any ideas.  :thumbs:

Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Bert on January 06, 2012, 12:25:51 PM
Check out the battery operated Micro Drop led lights. Much much smaller that led xmas lights. Scroll down a bit to the youtube video & you can see how compact they are.



http://www.christmas-light-source.com/LED-Battery-Operated-Christmas-Lights_c_252.html
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 06, 2012, 12:40:34 PM
Quote from: Bert on January 06, 2012, 12:25:51 PM
Check out the battery operated Micro Drop led lights. Much much smaller that led xmas lights. Scroll down a bit to the youtube video & you can see how compact they are.



http://www.christmas-light-source.com/LED-Battery-Operated-Christmas-Lights_c_252.html

Pretty much what I got from target.  :thumbs: We have 4 sets of them. one for the kids' bikes, then one for the neighbor kid. then i just got one for me. they work just fine.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 07, 2012, 08:13:06 AM
I've thought about that.  One question I have is do the whips have to be regulation length at night because the 4 footer is defenitly cheaper and less face it your going to be seen by the lights and not the flag at night.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 07, 2012, 09:17:34 AM
I'm making LED whips for the trip and I have come across some pretty bad ass light kits.
I will have a 44 key IR remote and the same lights will be on my quad and whip. It does 16 colors and tons of effects.
12-15$ for the lights in solid colors , or 26 for multi with remote Item number: 160658541534
1/2inch -3/4 inch heat shrink. about 5-10$

Here is what it will look like
http://youtu.be/VYatmgwJvlU
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 07, 2012, 09:43:30 AM
Did you buy the same kit and tubing he used in the video?

If so what are the model numbers?

Quote from: Nick on January 07, 2012, 09:17:34 AM
I'm making LED whips for the trip and I have come across some pretty bad ass light kits.
I will have a 44 key IR remote and the same lights will be on my quad and whip. It does 16 colors and tons of effects.
12-15$ for the lights in solid colors , or 26 for multi with remote Item number: 160658541534
1/2inch -3/4 inch heat shrink. about 5-10$

Here is what it will look like
http://youtu.be/VYatmgwJvlU
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 07, 2012, 10:03:57 AM
Found all the parts, I think I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes!
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 07, 2012, 10:13:14 AM
Quote from: Nick on January 07, 2012, 09:17:34 AM
I'm making LED whips for the trip and I have come across some pretty bad ass light kits.
I will have a 44 key IR remote and the same lights will be on my quad and whip. It does 16 colors and tons of effects.
12-15$ for the lights in solid colors , or 26 for multi with remote Item number: 160658541534
1/2inch -3/4 inch heat shrink. about 5-10$

Here is what it will look like
http://youtu.be/VYatmgwJvlU

super sweet.  :thumbs:

Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 07, 2012, 10:54:09 AM
good find Nick!!!
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 07, 2012, 12:58:25 PM
 "Nicks Whips" will be a sponsor soon  :lol:
One of the 24key remote kits came and it's nice quality.Super bright and a lot of fun. The heat shrink I found on ebay, bunch of different lengths.

Just search 5m LED and you'll find a ton of lights, MAKE SURE TO GET WATERPROOF!!! read the article, the cheapo's arn't. I suppose the heat shrink will work but I hate to get any in the wrong spot.

I ordered 1/2 inch heat shrink for the 6ft whips and am gonna order 3/4 for the big whips we have. I'm just following that dudes info.



Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 07, 2012, 09:11:08 PM
I actually found everything and I also contacted him for any "I would have some this different) advice.  I'll be building a couple soon. I will also be going with the 24shipping key remote.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: racinjason68 on January 07, 2012, 11:12:14 PM
Looks like a cheap and good idea...   
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 08, 2012, 07:10:00 AM
Yea and I wouldn't be afraid to use it during the day too, no swapping out.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Cammy on January 08, 2012, 07:48:19 AM
Links please! Nick/Fireman
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Bert on January 08, 2012, 08:22:26 AM
  I found this stuff called EL wire, its electro luminescent. Looks cool but I think Led's have some advantages
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 08, 2012, 09:23:20 AM
I was lookin at that too. Cool, but curious about how much abuse it takes
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 08, 2012, 12:26:14 PM
or how bright it really is.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 08, 2012, 02:00:52 PM
I wouldn't get those. The you can see the LEDS for almost 2 miles and light up like a 10 foot circle,plus the price is right, you can also replace sections if it goes out, just but a little xtra heat shrink and you can make repairs in a jiffy. And if you get a 5M, you have enough to dress your quad up or do the repairs etc. Hell you could light up your whole camp site off one small battery all week, I might dress up a canopy with one of the 24key kits. Chicks love lights, i figure they will be like bugs to a zapper!!!! :lol:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 09, 2012, 08:36:14 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 09, 2012, 09:21:16 AM
Quote from: Cammy on January 08, 2012, 07:48:19 AM
Links please! Nick/Fireman

+1


That LED flexible board strip has gotten MUCH cheaper than when I first started looking.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 09, 2012, 09:25:34 AM
I will get them up this afternoon when I get on a computer.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: dragonz on January 09, 2012, 01:05:01 PM
I have noticed several grades are available.
the lowest grade has individual red, blue, & green LED's at 30 LED's/metre, & can only be cut every 9 LED's
then there is one similar, but with 60 LED's/metre, & can be cut every 3 LED's

The next grade up has colour changing (or grouped) LED's at 30 LED's/metre
& the best grade has same LED's at 60 LED's/metre. This is available in either white or black backing

I have ordered the highest grade LED strip, but with the smaller 24 key remote.
Not sure why you need 44 key remote, guess you get a wider colour range, or more flashing patterns....................
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 09, 2012, 02:05:12 PM
all that is cool, but I don't want the flashing multicolor. No need to give people seizures while you are riding :lol:

Blue only.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 09, 2012, 04:55:22 PM
Well its all multi color but you select the color and mode you want, in the video he was just going through them fast so people could see the color.

Here is the 44 key remote setup discussed in the video.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290652945271?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I have found the 24 key remote (less functions and smaller remote) system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330666997173?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Here's the heat shrink.  HS2-075

http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/2to1polyolefin.htm
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 13, 2012, 08:34:54 AM
Quote from: Firemann32 on January 09, 2012, 04:55:22 PM
Well its all multi color but you select the color and mode you want, in the video he was just going through them fast so people could see the color.

Here is the 44 key remote setup discussed in the video.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290652945271?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I have found the 24 key remote (less functions and smaller remote) system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330666997173?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Here's the heat shrink.  HS2-075

http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/2to1polyolefin.htm


:thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: dragonz on January 14, 2012, 12:11:50 PM
They also do a couple of grades of single colour LED strips, but for $10-15 bucks, being able to turn your Raptor into a mobile disco has to be money well spent!
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 17, 2012, 12:39:43 AM
So here is what I ended up getting.


item number: 290658836706
3/4 inch clear heat shrink, 10 ft

I went with the 5050 cuz they claim to be 3x brighter than the 3528 or whatever the model.
5M 300 LED 5050 Waterproof RGB SMD Flexible Lamp Strip Light +44 Key IR Remote
Item number: 400261077172



Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 18, 2012, 05:24:46 PM
what did 10 ft of heatshrink cost you?
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 18, 2012, 05:31:44 PM
looks like it was US $5.50 + 1.88 shipping.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 18, 2012, 05:45:37 PM
Quote from: Krandall on January 18, 2012, 05:31:44 PM
looks like it was US $5.50 + 1.88 shipping.

:thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on January 18, 2012, 07:06:15 PM
Well shit they wanted to charge us $15 for shipping when we needed to order some heat shrink for the fire dept.......

I'm looking at just buying the 50" roll cause I need to do at least 2 flags and maybe a third, then I thought I might just do two more and either sell them or trade them.......
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 18, 2012, 09:51:37 PM
yeah fireman i was thinking the same thing. Only reason I didn't get the 50ft right now is I'm the only one night riding next week when we go to glamis, lol. Other wise I needed to do like 6 flags. I got the flashing one so when we go on big group rides at Rallys then I can forsure stand out when we get seperated.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 22, 2012, 10:03:24 PM
Ok,  So I went with the 5050 kit. It is better quality than the 3528 kit we have here. It has a black backing and each light has 3 colors in it instead of like on the 3528 that has 1 light for each color, when you put it on a different color on that one you have big gaps. On this kit you have lights all the way up. When wrapping it I think it pulled to tight on this small 6ft whip and some of the lights are the wrong color in a few spots, but its only 3 lights per spot and I think if I had done the 10ft whips it would been fine.
I used 3/4in heat shrink and you might want to use a larger size on the bigger whips. It was a pain and just barely fit. It looks nice and seems like it will last, if not I'm not out that much.



(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/nicks700raptor/th_IMG_2417.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/nicks700raptor/?action=view&current=IMG_2417.mp4)

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/nicks700raptor/th_IMG_24172.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/nicks700raptor/?action=view&current=IMG_24172.mp4)
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on January 23, 2012, 06:49:15 AM
 :clap:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 23, 2012, 08:12:22 AM
total cost?
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 23, 2012, 10:35:21 AM
Quote from: Krandall on January 23, 2012, 08:12:22 AM
total cost?

Lights that I got 38$
Heat shrink 7$ ish
Flag, depends of you have one.
And I have plenty to use on my quad
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Krandall on January 23, 2012, 10:56:38 AM
noice!
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 23, 2012, 02:10:38 PM
Ok so a flaw I noticed on all of the kits are the 4 pin connectors at the ends of the LED's to connect to the power source. 2 of mine broke when someone went to mess with it. So now I have a little repairing and riggin to do. This should be done anyways because I think it would have happened anyways. The pins are the size of staples maybe. I'm thinking I'll repair and put actual quick connects in.
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Cammy on January 23, 2012, 02:22:52 PM
How did you wire them in Nick? Could we possibly have a write up or how to? If you do I guess there could be a handi thrown your way. ;)
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 23, 2012, 02:34:54 PM
Quote from: Cammy on January 23, 2012, 02:22:52 PM
How did you wire them in Nick? Could we possibly have a write up or how to? If you do I guess there could be a handi thrown your way. ;)

I only have them on the flag so far. The garage is heating up right now, but I am just gonna go straight to the battery because my set has a IR remote control with on/off switch lol
The box is going to be in the back tool area and the IR sensor is going to run out near the tail light I think. I'll take some pics
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on January 25, 2012, 10:25:56 PM
Ok, update on this Bright idea. BuhDumTsh

The 5m kit is 16.4 feet or so.. And I wrapped my flag, ok and the 4 pin connectors are junk like I said.
Then with the extra I was going to put it on my quad, And then the next dilema I've come across is once you cut away at the coating and expose the 4 copper leads that are the size of a pin head. You then must solder to those tiny ass points and I have 5 done up that I've wrapped in electrical tape to secure for now. And 4 that I keep having problems with them holding on to.
There are some connectors on this site that would make it easier to solder to. I am not sure if I am gonna put these on by tomorrow, I don't want to have them come apart because of a weak solder job. My flag will still be lit up. But I may wait on the quad.

http://www.youtube.com/user/superbrightleds#p/u/56/QJZcaThJ_7E
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Bert on February 06, 2012, 11:55:32 AM
How are your guys lighted whips coming along?
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Peelz on February 06, 2012, 12:04:11 PM
mine is collecting dust.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Firemann32 on February 06, 2012, 03:06:42 PM
I still havent even started........ :)I
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: dragonz on February 06, 2012, 10:15:38 PM
I got the lights
No flag pole
The bits that I do have are in NZ.
I'm in Colorado (the state)...................just sayin'
Title: Re: DIY LED lighting
Post by: Nick on February 06, 2012, 10:25:18 PM
Built it, used it. Loved it. Broke it lol

I have the 5050 LED's and we used my flag to light up our entire camp site. There was at least a 40ft circle of light around it and about 20ft of usable light. I had it on blue when I rode at night. But I messed up when I was getting on during the day. I was in a hurry and jumped on my quad and kicked my flag pole right off like the ninja I am. So I'll have to do a little repair work before I use it again. Lol