Escalade 3rd brake light upgrade.

[yates ™]

Looks awesome, can't figure out why they didn't do this from the factory

 

[soulsea]

Looks awesome, can't figure out why they didn't do this from the factory

Just like all other exterior lighting, there are actually industry standards (there might even be DOT guidelines) for how bright brake lights, turn signals, etc, are supposed to be relative to night conditions in order not to be a nuisance to drivers behind you.

 

[yates ™]

Just like all other exterior lighting, there are actually industry standards (there might even be DOT guidelines) for how bright brake lights, turn signals, etc, are supposed to be relative to night conditions in order not to be a nuisance to drivers behind you.

I thought I had seen other vehicles with big third brake light like that. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[soulsea]

I thought I had seen other vehicles with big third brake light like that. Maybe I am wrong.

Yeah I know, but take the Putco 3rd for example, and it might explain why they space their leds so far apart ... one could deduce that DOT compliance could be the reason. A 3rd brake led light bar, if spaced and with dimmer leds, could be within the same parameters as a tightly spaced/brighter led esky configuration.

 

[07Burb]

Very nice!!!

 

[yates ™]

Yeah I know, but take the Putco 3rd for example, and it might explain why they space their leds so far apart ... one could deduce that DOT compliance could be the reason. A 3rd brake led light bar, if spaced and with dimmer leds, could be within the same parameters as a tightly spaced/brighter led esky configuration.

You may be on to something. The one thing I never liked about esky 3rd is that it only partially lights up.

 

[soulsea]

You may be on to something. The one thing I never liked about esky 3rd is that it only partially lights up.

I agree ... it's almost worse because they put the 'mock' lights in there making it look like they're broken when the brake is applied. Either make it light up all the way or design it differently imho.

 

[yates ™]

I agree ... it's almost worse because they put the 'mock' lights in there making it look like they're broken when the brake is applied. Either make it light up all the way or design it differently imho.

 

[drroy]

had a few q's PMe'd this should help

Lumiled superflux LEDs, part # HPWT-DD02,
Foward voltage 2.5v, at 50 mili amp (approxmatly)
using the following formula to find resistors R = (VS - VL) / I
where
R = resistance
VS = supplie voltage = 14.5
VL= voltage load ( 5 x 2.5 V per led)
I = current

I used what i had on hand to run these at around 50 mili amp using the following layout. If you are not going to use lumiled superflux you will have different Vf and current and will need different resistors to layout like below.
either use the above formula or goggle resistor calculator and use that.

I usually use a 12V voltage regulator, but didnt on this project b/c i didnt have the resistors to make it work at 12v so i didnt, hope they last.

 

[THE YETI]

wow... thats jive to me, lol. looks like we'll be sticking to our partially lit 3rd light..lol

 

[07Burb]

I'd understand that easier if it was in crayon....

 

[drroy]

Ha! that funny
As far as LED retros go this is pretty basic. If you want to see some realy complex stuff take a look at this video of the tailights of one of the moderators on the LED section of Hidplanet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6sZg3iL5EY

this is the build thread
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?4189-98-Eclipse-Tail-Light-Conversion-Project

 

[felixgun]

I agree ... it's almost worse because they put the 'mock' lights in there making it look like they're broken when the brake is applied. Either make it light up all the way or design it differently imho.

I couldn't agree more. This guy on one of the cadillac forums is making a bunch of these and it all looks very legit. I think he even said they were the same LED's as the factory one's. He is going to be selling them eventually and i'm definitely getting in line after seeing what it looks like with the factory housing and LED's lit up.

 

[chrisfox75]

Question, how is the easiest way to seperate the gray piece from the red housing?? I cant squeeze my dremel in there. What did you use to cut them apart ??

Chris

 

[sumo]

solid work. I have the putco and tinted them. Here the comparison bwtween the 2

 

[drroy]

Question, how is the easiest way to seperate the gray piece from the red housing?? I cant squeeze my dremel in there. What did you use to cut them apart ??

Chris

not sure what you mean when you say cant squeeze you dremel in there?..... I used a dremmel cut off wheel and cut off the back of the grey plastic. you should not be cutting anything near the red plastic

 

[KMeloney]

drroy -- Get that snowboard off the paint!

 

[ROB'S-HOE]

Jajaja i though the exact same thing...

drroy -- get that snowboard off the paint!

 

[blkonblk]

3rd break light

i just did this mod, if i knew how much time it takes and how much pain in the a.. it was i would pay $500 for one lol...it takes time but well worth it

 

[sumo]

i just did this mod, if i knew how much time it takes and how much pain in the a.. it was i would pay $500 for one lol...it takes time but well worth it

pics