Light Bar Idea

[Conlan Rose]

Well @SurrealOne told me about using a voltage regulator. I made a full diagram for the integrated circuit I will need to build to make these lights work. Hover over the image to see better. It will use three SPDT relays to switch between running lights at 5v and brake/turn functions at 12-14.4v Normal function will be running lights then it will switch to functions.


- - - Updated - - -

I've done some pricing on the IC and its gonna cost about $70-80 including prototyping it. The parts are cheap just its a lot of them. This wont be built until around March. Each LED strip costs about $3-4. Already got one for close to free just need 4 more. And even after all this and building a front light bar mount I will save over 100 dollars. Can't beat that!

[Conlan Rose]

Did some testing of my light's draw at certain voltages. The white LED strip draws 250mA at 12-14v; At 5v it draws only about 13mA. I hope this holds true for the red ones as well. I need to keep every thing under 1 amp. The 3 red strips will draw only about 40mA at 5v together at 12v they will draw about 750mA together, but at 12v they are all powered by a separate supply so each will draw 250mA from their relay.

[Conlan Rose]

Pics of the red LED strip most are at full brightness. Remember there will be three of these illuminating my trucks rear end while braking. Should make my truck super visible to others. I may post more pic of both strips.




- - - Updated - - -

More pics in the pitch black.



I think all pics after this point are the lights at 5v. Above they are at 12v

[Enkeiavalanche]

If this does not work out you can always mount them under the Tahoe model you have... Sorry.. Nice pics..

[Conlan Rose]

Or as accent lights in the truck. I need to order more strips now. One more white and 2 red.

[TRPLXL2]

I have 8 of those red strips inside my truck, everybody calls it a whore house on wheels lol!!! It does have that look to it though, I give you a lot of credit for this project. I would just buy the premade bar and call it a day, but you learn a lot more the way your doing it...

[SurrealOne]

I have 8 of those red strips inside my truck, everybody calls it a whore house on wheels lol!!! It does have that look to it though, I give you a lot of credit for this project. I would just buy the premade bar and call it a day, but you learn a lot more the way your doing it...

I don't know which is cooler ... a whore house on wheels or that you think it be labeled as such is funny.

[Conlan Rose]

At first I saw only Surreals post from my profile and I was thinking what in gods name brought that up. @TRPLXL2 I can't use a premade bar because they don't fit my truck. I looked it up long before planning this project. The Tahoe's with tailgates can't fit the bar while the gate is down because of how the top bumper trim is made. Any way my bar will fit my style better and allow me to fix any problems with it.

Also I don't intend to use the red for the inside of the truck more likely if this doesn't work the red strips will be mounted under my hood to give the engine a cool red glow while open.

- - - Updated - - -

Did price annalysis and the total cost of light bar including buying things like a bread board, jumpers, and bulk wire. Ends up to be a little over 100 dollars.

Product	#	Price RS	Total
Project Enclosure (8x6x3")	1	8.99	8.99
Multipurpose PC Board with 417 Holes	1	2.49	2.49
NTE 25-E400-10 Terminal Block Eurostyle	1	2.7	2.7
1N4004 Micro 1-Amp Rectifier Diode	1	1.49	1.49
12VDC/1A SPDT Micro Relay	3	3.99	11.97
TO-220 Heat Sink	1	1.99	1.99
TO-220 Mounting Hardware	1	1.99	1.99
Wisher WJW-60B Jumper Wire	1	8.99	8.99
+5V Fixed-Voltage Regulator 7805	1	1.99	1.99
Modular IC Breadboard Socket	1	9.99	9.99
90-Ft. UL-Recognized Hookup Wire (22AWG)	1	8.49	8.49
Schmartboard™ Qty. 10.3" Jumpers and 40 Headers	1	5.99	5.99
24 LED Strip Car Flexible Bulb Light Waterproof Motocycle Bike	2	2.94	5.88
Hopkins 48145 12" 4-Wire Flat Extension	1	5.2	5.2
Amico 24 LED Waterproof Flexible Car Vehicle Red Light Strip	3	5.12	15.36
Invincible Marine 5-Way Male and Female Trailer Wire Connector, 24-Inches	1	8.99	8.99
			102.5

[Enkeiavalanche]

You for got to add Labor....

[SurrealOne]

@Enkeiavalanche,
I don't want to think about how much I owe myself in labor. You shouldn't encourage a young modder to think about that, either, unless you want him to quit modding.