Tail Light Tale...

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

A couple of weeks ago this was just a thought in a retired military guys head. When he called, he said, "I want a tail light for my motorcycle that doesn't look military...but says military!" ... I should have hung up! But I'm not that smart!

This is all we will get to do to the project. He wanted to do the rest himself... This will hold 40... 5mm Super Bright RED LEDS... I just did the design/CAD/CAM and machining. I didn't do any in progress images on this one... but thought I might share the outcome... He says I will get finished photos... I'll share if I do. !! ENJOY! (i hope)

Dan.

The parts....

Got a decent fit on the seam...

Can you guess his rank?

The back side.

Thats all folks! NOT budget... NOT a flashlight... but a light anyway!

2

interesting, I wonder why he didn’t want to go with a bunch of red XP-Es instead? Brighter, more efficient, less wiring. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles supplying the current and if it’s a dual function light that incorporates the brake light.

beautiful machining by the way :slight_smile:

3

Wow, that looks awesome! Very nice work.
I would guess the rank but I’d risk sounding like a dingus.

4

Nice work, indeed.

And my guess is: KING! (At least that’s what the shape made me think of first.)

Out of curiosity, what’s the plan for moisture sealing between the face and body?

5

That thing is freakin' awesome; thanks for sharing.

I hope "Sarge" likes his taillight.

6

, not crap either! Nice machining!

7

Wow. The orders will come in now. I hope you disperse them far and wide so that each one will never see one another.

8

Thanks. I left room for, drew in, and was ready to machine in a groove on both faces. It would have been really easy then to buy just the material and make a nice seal... but he wanted to goop on something rather than do that. ?? Not sure why, this was one of those do as requested jobs. Not smart in my opinion.

Thanks again. Dan.

9

You nailed it! Many Thanks for the comment. Dan.

10

MRsDNF, This one is a one of a kind...just for that customer. Won't do another one. I promised him!

Dan.

11

Thanks! Yep... he has it all laid out for tail & brake function. He brought the board by with the LEDS... you could see it in broad daylight in the tail light mode for half a block! He didn't have the brake light part working at that point. He's having fun with it.

Dan.

12

oh neat, didn’t realise you could buy the LEDs and circuitry off the shelf, that’ll certainly make life a lot easier!

13

It's different. It's unique. I bet he gets stopped at night when that brake light lights up and someone sees how bright it is.

14

The LEDS are available easy enough... but he drilled & etched the board himself. I'm not sure where he is getting the rest of what he needs.

Thanks! Dan.

15

Well, in my opinion it's an overkill for bright. Just in the tail light mode it is ...to me anyway... blinding. I'm glad he is doing the rest, I'd have a hard time wanting to make it as bright as he is.

Thanks Justin for the comments. Dan.

16

blimey, didn’t realise he was making the circuit himself. It would be very interesting to see what he comes up with, if he’s willing to share.

I echo what OL and you have said about brightness - there is definitely an upper limit as to what is safe (non-blinding) and legal (although that is somewhat subjective in the US :laughing:. There doesn’t seem much point making a light that’s so bright under braking that the following driver crashes into the back of you…

17

That thing looks awesome. I really hope he sends pics. Lets also hope that he gets a good seal… :~