Bi colour leds

[ilovedmymantas]

I have a bright 5mm led with fitted resistor that I planned to fit(in) below the rear washer nozzle as a high level brake light.

As this hasn't happened yet my mind wandered and I thought why not take it a stage further and fit a red/yellow led so I could include an extra hazard warning light?
That's where it got confusing. I was looking at this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-OSRYMC5B3 ... SwhJlfYOz1
and there doesn't seem to be a resistor (or two?).

Can anyone advise and recommend what I need?

matt

[Robsey]

As it quotes "12 volt LED", it can be assumed that the LED will work at 12 volts without the need to add in any extra resistors.

You would need quite a few of these to make up a functional hazard or brake light.

But it sounds like a fun project.

The sort of thing that I woud do

[vexorg]

Are you allowed a third hazzard light?

It would be better with a diffuse lens LED, the one listed is clear and has a narrow angle, so might not see it if you move to the side.

[Robsey]

I would agree - diffused lens for wider light dispersion.

Those clear lenses are okay for localised illumination.. such as inside a switch etc..

[Cavalier342]

You can run some wires behind the trim panels from the tail light clusters behind the rear plastic trim around the D-pillar, I've done it before, just rigged up some regular red LEDs for extra brake lights. They come on when the brake lights come on, all you're doing is adding extra lights to the brake lights. And LEDs don't draw much power so no worries about extra fuses or resistors or anything. You'll have to check which terminals on the light clusters are for the brake lights, I think the top one and one for Earth, I can't remember exactly. Just practice with a spare 12V LED if you have any kicking about.

I haven't done the same with the indicators but in theory it's exactly the same thing, all you're doing is adding some LEDs to the indicator circuit.

[ilovedmymantas]

Thanks guys.

Apologies for the lazy quotes

As it quotes "12 volt LED", it can be assumed that the LED will work at 12 volts without the need to add in any extra resistors.

You would need quite a few of these to make up a functional hazard or brake light.

But it sounds like a fun project.

The sort of thing that I woud do

Praise indeed!
Unlike yourself, My mad ideas(otherwise known as projects ) seldom get finished though, the thinking through takes longer these days and something else usually pops into my head, case in point
This was a follow through from being shunted last year and wanting higher visibility. Shame I can't fit a laser
The original thought was to subtly mod the rear washer jet and incorporate a bright red led.
this one's knackered but I've got a new one so something to practise on. It was less than four quid from Germany, I should have bought a couple to cover the postage


I checked the gov mot site a while back and one led seems to be fine, with almost no restrictions on viewing angles .

Are you allowed a third hazzard light?

It would be better with a diffuse lens LED, the one listed is clear and has a narrow angle, so might not see it if you move to the side.

I can't find anything on the gov mot site that says you can or can't, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... tion-4-4-1 just that indicators and repeaters must be amber but no mention of additional lights.
I'm thinking of recovery vehicles with lightbars
I guess it would be down to the mot tester to pass yellow. I know I could, with help, have the red and yellow illuminate simultaneously for amber but that's just more hassle.
I'm red/green colour-blind so yellow has a better chance of me seeing it. Red and orange/amber all look the same to me

I would agree - diffused lens for wider light dispersion.

Those clear lenses are okay for localised illumination.. such as inside a switch etc..

After last years very expensive bump I want to make sure I'm seen.
I know the pics on ebay aren't always accurate but you've got to go on something.
If the pics are fairly accurate the led should show a focussed beam (I even considered foil or white paint behind the housing to increase focus to the rear) and the wider-angle that lights up the back window. That's the theory anyway, as soon as I can work out the angle I want.
I bought two (red) clear leds because on a budget I have the option of original or wet'n'dry diffused to experiment with.

I just want to be seen
-------------------------------------------------------------

[ilovedmymantas]

Thanks guys.

Apologies for the lazy quotes

As it quotes "12 volt LED", it can be assumed that the LED will work at 12 volts without the need to add in any extra resistors.

You would need quite a few of these to make up a functional hazard or brake light.

But it sounds like a fun project.

The sort of thing that I woud do

Praise indeed!
Unlike yourself, My mad ideas(otherwise known as projects ) seldom get finished though, the thinking through takes longer these days and something else usually pops into my head, case in point
This was a follow through from being shunted last year and wanting higher visibility. Shame I can't fit a laser
The original thought was to subtly mod the rear washer jet and incorporate a bright red led.
this one's knackered but I've got a new one so something to practise on. It was less than four quid from Germany, I should have bought a couple to justify the postage


I checked the gov mot site a while back and one led seems to be fine, with almost no restrictions on viewing angles .

Are you allowed a third hazzard light?

It would be better with a diffuse lens LED, the one listed is clear and has a narrow angle, so might not see it if you move to the side.

I can't find anything on the gov mot site that says you can or can't, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... tion-4-4-1 just that indicators and repeaters must be amber but no mention of additional lights.
I'm thinking of recovery vehicles with lightbars
I guess it would be down to the mot tester to pass yellow. I know I could, with help, have the red and yellow illuminate simultaneously for orange/ amber but that's just more hassle.
I'm red/green colour-blind so yellow has a better chance of me seeing it. Red and orange/amber all look the same to me

I would agree - diffused lens for wider light dispersion.

Those clear lenses are okay for localised illumination.. such as inside a switch etc..

After last years very expensive bump I want to make sure I'm seen.
I know the pics on ebay aren't always accurate but you've got to go on something.
If the pics are fairly accurate the led should show a focussed beam (I even considered foil or white paint behind the housing to increase focus to the rear) and the wider-angle that lights up the back window. That's the theory anyway, as soon as I can work out the angle I want.
I bought two (red) clear leds because on a budget I have the option of original or wet'n'dry diffused to experiment with.

I just want to be seen
-------------------------------------------------------------

matt