LEDs

[Michael C]

I want to use some 10mm LEDs in the taillights of my car but the ones I've
got are very bright from straight on but no so bright from an angle. Is it
possible to get some that disperse the light more effectively. The onces I
have claim an angle of 20 degrees.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Caliban]

Michael C wrote:

I want to use some 10mm LEDs in the taillights of my car but the ones I've
got are very bright from straight on but no so bright from an angle. Is it
possible to get some that disperse the light more effectively. The onces I
have claim an angle of 20 degrees.

Thanks,
Michael

That's probably +/- 10° on axis. Most high brightness ones are around
this value. You can get wide angle (110° versions?) but probably not
locally and not in small quantities. It might be worthwhile checking the
Farnell and RS catalogues (both are online).

Best solution is to use a diffuser, like a piece of the knobbly plastic
used in ceiling panels in front of fluoro tubes, if your break lights
are not made like this already.

Alternatively you may have to mount some of the LEDs at an angle.

 

[Michael C]

"Caliban" <null@void.com> wrote in message
news:d6cf97$10b7$1@otis.netspace.net.au...

That's probably +/- 10° on axis. Most high brightness ones are around this
value. You can get wide angle (110° versions?) but probably not locally
and not in small quantities. It might be worthwhile checking the Farnell
and RS catalogues (both are online).

I had a look there and also at digikey.com and couldn't find anything that
suited. There were some with a 40 degree viewing angle which is a little
better.

Best solution is to use a diffuser, like a piece of the knobbly plastic
used in ceiling panels in front of fluoro tubes, if your break lights are
not made like this already.

I've had some success sanding the surface of the LEDs, in fact it has been a
huge improvement but it's a bit patchy in it's appearance. Maybe I could dip
them in a solvent that would disolve the surface slightly?

Michael

 

[Mark H]

I've had some success sanding the surface of the LEDs, in fact it has been
a
huge improvement but it's a bit patchy in it's appearance. Maybe I could
dip
them in a solvent that would disolve the surface slightly?

I would suggest heat, perhaps a good (say 80w) soldering iron?
Chopping the top off in a prismatic fashion should get good results in
dispersion.

Course, you still want some pointing directly behind you to warn the bloke
who's right there, perhaps a combination of filament bulb for side view and
LED for instant warning?

-mark

 

[Caliban]

http://www.ledsales.com.au/leds.htm#wide

 

[Andrew M]

<warning - will robinson - top posting>

And why not just put another damn bulb in.
It's been designed to meet many safety standards and is cheaper than a LED.

I don't see what you'll achieve other than an insurance cancellation and the loss of
useful drinking time.

-Andrew M


"Mark H" <nukeleerATinternodeDOTonDOTnetREMOVECAPSAU> wrote in message
news:4289dc3b@duster.adelaide.on.net...

I've had some success sanding the surface of the LEDs, in fact it has been
a
huge improvement but it's a bit patchy in it's appearance. Maybe I could
dip
them in a solvent that would disolve the surface slightly?

I would suggest heat, perhaps a good (say 80w) soldering iron?
Chopping the top off in a prismatic fashion should get good results in
dispersion.

Course, you still want some pointing directly behind you to warn the bloke
who's right there, perhaps a combination of filament bulb for side view and
LED for instant warning?

-mark