Post by: bobvans on March 02, 2021, 11:31:32 PM
IMG_1002.JPG (43.87 kB . 432x576 - viewed 1333 times)Now that I have a'96 K1100, I wanted to add the same capability but make it look stock and have it light up the entire tail light like this picture someone posted somewhere...
Tailight.JPG (50.41 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1199 times)But I want it to strobe like this... except I won't use the turn signal feature since I want to continue using the original turn signals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neXLC73tgmU
So I bought a new tail light from Max BMW, cut it open with a dremel and sawzall.
File_000.jpeg (62.03 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1156 times)And am now working with Custom LED to have a... you guessed it, custom LED board made up to hopefully somehow fit into the tail light. Here's the board design we settled on...
Custom LED R3.jpg (28.2 kB . 768x396 - viewed 1190 times)Post by: AtLarge on March 03, 2021, 06:35:35 AM
Post by: K1300S on March 03, 2021, 09:30:33 AM
Post by: bobvans on March 03, 2021, 12:23:48 PM
https://www.skenelights.com/online-store/P3-Lights-p199537706
I've seen those but really want the entire tail light to strobe and be super bright. Hopefully I sized the board correctly and can get it all back together and look decent :laughing4-giggles:. I'll provide an update in a few weeks when I get the board.
Post by: rbm on March 03, 2021, 01:56:35 PM
Post by: bobvans on March 03, 2021, 07:02:32 PM
Will your board act as running lights as well as a strobing brake light?
Yes, running lights, brake lights, and integrated turn signals (if you want). The strobe affect on braking is selectable... 11 different options.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: Laitch on March 04, 2021, 11:02:43 AM
Post by: bobvans on March 04, 2021, 12:01:56 PM
11 options! God bless America—or elsewhere—whichever is applicable!
Ha ha... can't have too many options :laughing1:.
Post by: Past-my-Prime on March 04, 2021, 08:54:59 PM
Post by: bobvans on March 04, 2021, 10:27:13 PM
Can I have three quick flashes, then three slow flashes, then three quick flashes, repeat?
That would be with the 4 way flashers option :laughing1:
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on March 05, 2021, 12:05:24 AM
Post by: bobvans on March 24, 2021, 07:50:35 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: bobvans on March 24, 2021, 08:10:26 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
I want to get it mounted in this location so need to cut away the part of the housing that's in the way.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: bobvans on March 25, 2021, 04:53:22 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: Laitch on March 25, 2021, 11:49:13 PM
Post by: bobvans on March 26, 2021, 07:32:01 PM
How many of those lights serve as brake lights, how many serve as tail lights and how are they arrayed, or do they all have a double function?
I haven't confirmed yet, but they're all supposed to be double function (running and brake lights). For turn signals half would flash on and off.
I'm chomping on the bit to due an A/B compare... so may do that before I get the actual retrofit done. On that note, I'm going Dremel vs band saw and my Dremel crapped out on me... may need new brushes :idunno:.
Post by: Rcgreaves on March 27, 2021, 12:15:51 AM
Post by: bobvans on April 02, 2021, 12:52:45 AM
Custom LED 30.jpeg (63.45 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1041 times) Custom LED 31.jpeg (33.64 kB . 768x576 - viewed 987 times) LED Board 12.jpeg (54.19 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1017 times) LED Board 10.jpeg (38.11 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1046 times)
Post by: bobvans on April 05, 2021, 04:37:52 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Next I need to drill a couple of holes for a couple of mounting screws along with adding something for the screws to screw into. I'm going to try using the two drilled screw bosses from the electrical box.
Post by: bobvans on April 05, 2021, 10:51:38 PM
Magnifier 01.jpeg (82.79 kB . 768x576 - viewed 998 times) Magnifier 03.jpeg (82.92 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1016 times) Magnifier 02.jpeg (59.21 kB . 768x576 - viewed 970 times)Just to add... I had to trim the inner walls of the red lens to allow the lens to fit over the circuit board.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on April 05, 2021, 11:45:10 PM
Post by: bobvans on April 06, 2021, 03:10:12 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[ Invalid Attachment ]
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: stokester on April 06, 2021, 08:57:23 PM
During some recent airhead work for a friend I installed a commercial LED taillight replacement which really lit up the running and brake illumination but I was a bit disappointed that there were no flashing options.
Post by: bobvans on April 07, 2021, 11:54:11 AM
I like it! Keep us updated on your progress.
During some recent airhead work for a friend I installed a commercial LED taillight replacement which really lit up the running and brake illumination but I was a bit disappointed that there were no flashing options.
I know what you mean. I really liked having that strobe on my K100 to give extra visibility when at a stop light. If I was off the brake but see a car coming up from behind I'd squeeze the brake lever a time or two to make sure they're slowing down. Seems it would maybe catch someone's attention if their texting. There was someone that got killed at an off ramp last year not too far from my house. Driver was under the influence and didn't see the vehicles stopped at the light, I guess. Motorcyclist got caught between her and the pickup truck in front of him. Not sure a strobe would have made a difference in that case though.
Post by: Laitch on April 07, 2021, 12:00:31 PM
Not sure a strobe would have made a difference in that case though.Drivers regularly crash into lit up police cars parked on shoulders. In attempts to avert that, intermittently flashing, rather than pulsating, strobes have been developed. There's a body of evidence that suggests pulsating strobes can attract some drivers rather than alert them. It's a jungle out there. :laughing4-giggles:
Post by: bobvans on April 07, 2021, 01:27:35 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: bobvans on April 07, 2021, 01:37:55 PM
Drivers regularly crash into lit up police cars parked on shoulders. In attempts to avert that, intermittently flashing, rather than pulsating, strobes have been developed. There's a body of evidence that suggests pulsating strobes can attract some drivers rather than alert them. It's a jungle out there. :laughing4-giggles:
That's interesting, thanks for sharing! The strobe/flash pattern is selectable so I'll have to choose wisely. It's also good to just be aware of who's coming up behind you and leave an escape route.
Post by: bobvans on April 08, 2021, 02:39:56 AM
Day Time Comparison - the running light was barely noticeable...
https://youtu.be/uVAOx6uyKwM
And at night and a little further back...
https://youtu.be/wWX7RevQZ-s
Post by: bobvans on April 08, 2021, 03:16:50 AM
1 - Start sequence that comes on when ignition is turned on can be turned on or off
2 - The brake alert pattern can be changed (see the 11 options early in the thread)
3 - The running light brightness can be adjusted within a preset range
4 - The brake light brightness can be adjusted within a preset range
I haven't played with the brake patterns yet... but I do want to change it to something else. The standard pattern is 4 quick strobes then solid. I find the 4 strobes to be too fast.
Post by: Laitch on April 08, 2021, 08:43:10 AM
Post by: bobvans on April 08, 2021, 12:04:11 PM
That's an excellent outcome! Thanks for a thorough presentation and video of this project. 112350
I've received and pulled so much helpful information from this forum that it just seems appropriate to give a little back.
The custom LED board cost me $441 but that includes the design work. I was told subsequent orders would cost less. I can't remember the number he gave me but seem to think it was around $140 or so.
Post by: bobvans on April 08, 2021, 12:13:56 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]
With the board spanning across the entire tail light, the ends are open to the environment. I know the tail light doesn't seal against the rear cowl so leaving it open is a bit of a concern. I don't drive in the wet if I can avoid it but sometimes you can't avoid it. I may play around with adding side walls.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: AtLarge on April 08, 2021, 04:25:00 PM
Post by: bobvans on April 08, 2021, 04:42:53 PM
That's a big improvement! Make sure it can drain at the bottom if water could get in there. You could use a sealant or potting material to coat the PCB then it would be protected too. Makes repairs in the future a lot harder though. 112350
Good suggestion... I was thinking something similar, use something to fill in the ends. I'll look at what I can do. Thanks!
Post by: rbm on April 08, 2021, 07:27:51 PM
Now that you have a working prototype, you might want to consider moving from through-hole technology to surface mount technology. You'll open up a whole new world of design and manufacturer flexibility. Did the guy who designed the board for you give you the design files (or just the Gerbers)?
Post by: bobvans on April 09, 2021, 12:37:01 AM
Now that you have a working prototype, you might want to consider moving from through-hole technology to surface mount technology. You'll open up a whole new world of design and manufacturer flexibility. Did the guy who designed the board for you give you the design files (or just the Gerbers)?
I got the board thru Custom LED who sells LED tail light assemblies for motorcycles. They designed the PCB mechanicals to my specs (board outline, mounting holes, wiring location) but it's their circuit design and their code. I reviewed their layout and made a few alterations. The board was delivered fully assembled and tested.
Post by: bobvans on April 10, 2021, 03:30:08 PM
[ Invalid Attachment ]