OP
@dougl avatar
UTC

El Macho
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
 
El Macho
@dougl avatar
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
UTC quote
This is how to install leds into your top box.

First of all take off the lenses with a Philips screwdriver from behind. Make a template using some sort of masking tape. The measurements I used were 19mm between vertical LEDs and 10 mm between the two uprights. Mark dots on the tape. Stick the tape in the appropriate place avoiding the contours and screw hole.
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Next, use a very small pilot drill to make small holes or indentations through your template.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Then widen the pilot holes using a 5mm drill.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Push the LEDs in from behind.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

and it will look like this from the front:

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Now, MOST importantly remove the LEDS and replace the lens as there is not enough room behind the lens to have the LEDs protruding. Once you have replaced the lens, superglue the LEDs in place. I have used 5mm 12v superbright LEDs with 180mcd luminescence. It makes sense to check the LEDs across a nine volt battery before glueing them in place.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

When you glue the LEDs in place make sure that you have the cathode which is the shorter terminal on the LED in the centre of both rows as LEDs are current flow dependent and this makes it easier to wire. You can just see if you look very carefully that one terminal is longer than the other:

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Next, bend the shorter terminals (cathodes) and the anodes outwards and loop and connect all the anodes together and all the cathodes together like this:

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

You can clearly follow the centre wire making contact with all the cathodes and the loop wire round the outside tied around the anodes.

You now want to solder the wire rail to the LED terminals and connect both LED sides to a supply wire. Make sure you connect the anodes on one side to the anodes on the other.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Carefully tape the soldered connections down using duck tape as shown here:

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Now all there is left to do is to drill a hole in an appropriate place in the base of the top box and connect the wires to your brake light supply. The finished powered up item looks like this.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
⚠️ Last edited by DougL on UTC; edited 1 time
UTC

Addicted
Joined: UTC
Posts: 534
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
 
Addicted
Joined: UTC
Posts: 534
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA
UTC quote
That looks great! Are they going to be always-on, or are you going to link them with the brake lights?

Does the duct tape really match the inside of the case that well? Or is that a trick of the lighting?
@xman avatar
UTC

Addicted
gt200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 715
Location: NYC
 
Addicted
@xman avatar
gt200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 715
Location: NYC
UTC quote
Man that is pimp!!! Very, very cool. And very well organized. You've got to make a little mov when your done, kind of like Jess did.

X
OP
@dougl avatar
UTC

El Macho
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
 
El Macho
@dougl avatar
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
UTC quote
CatMoran wrote:
That looks great! Are they going to be always-on, or are you going to link them with the brake lights?

Does the duct tape really match the inside of the case that well? Or is that a trick of the lighting?
Will be linked with the brake lights. The duck tape really does match the inside of the case that well!

Jess... how about a sticky?
@whr avatar
UTC

Hooked
GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 180
 
Hooked
@whr avatar
GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 180
UTC quote
Looks really great!
I assume it would work on the GTS top box as well.
One question: Will the superglue seal well enough to keep water out, or does the lens do that?

Bill
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 And counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 36808
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 And counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 36808
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
dougl65 wrote:
Jess... how about a sticky?
I can put it in the Project Reports area for you...
@beale avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
None! I sold it :(
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3247
Location: Burlington NC
 
Ossessionato
@beale avatar
None! I sold it :(
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3247
Location: Burlington NC
UTC quote
Very nice job! Looks killa, Beale.
@jridg avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Piaggio BV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2348
Location: Alameda, CA
 
Ossessionato
@jridg avatar
Piaggio BV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2348
Location: Alameda, CA
UTC quote
Well thought out and well documented! Clap emoticon Clap emoticon

Bravo!!
OP
@dougl avatar
UTC

El Macho
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
 
El Macho
@dougl avatar
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9047
Location: Porto 4050-570
UTC quote
jess wrote:
dougl65 wrote:
Jess... how about a sticky?
I can put it in the Project Reports area for you...
Thanks Jess, that would be good...

And thanks for all your comments!

I'll try and get a movie of it flashing with the comagination brake flasher!

If it leaks because the superglue doesn't create a tight enough seal, then out will come some clear silicone. I doubt much water will get in the lens offers quite a bit of protection.
@corsair avatar
UTC

Member
Joined: UTC
Posts: 25
Location: Where Everything's Bigger
 
Member
@corsair avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 25
Location: Where Everything's Bigger
UTC quote
Thumbs up mate!
@alfamoi avatar
UTC

Addicted
White Gts 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 692
Location: Nivelles (Belgium)
 
Addicted
@alfamoi avatar
White Gts 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 692
Location: Nivelles (Belgium)
UTC quote
Super nice job!!!
Maybe one day on mine... 8)

Can you tell us (picture?) what does it look like in daylight?

Thanks!
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