Need Bright LEDs any1 run on rigs?

[Rok Krawl]

I know you can buy Traxxas pre wired ones, or get some from radio shack, but I recently got a new flashlight for work, and with one 5mm LED, I can shoot a beam cross the plant. Been looking for some of these to install on rig.

Anyone use any of these higher intensity lights? Instead of 20 standard LEDs so to speak.. a few of these would light up the way and then some.

Been searching for a site to buy some.

[JEracing]

Evans Designs LEDs

www.modeltrainsoftware.com

[hibbs]

I've looked into this as well. The thing is, the brightness of the LED involves many factors. When I tried to read up on it, you start getting into physics as far as brightness being light striking a surface, etc. You really have to look at two factors. The mcd. millicandelas. This is as close to brightness as near as I could gather. Also you want to look at the lumens. Ideally they will both be high. The temperature I think isn't so much the brightness but rather the color of the light. You can google this but white LEDs tend to have a blueish tint when you get toward a certain temperature. Finally the angle of the beam is different. generally a narrow beam will have higher specs. So the flashlight you have at work is probably really narrow so that the beam of light travels really far. I'd guess for our purposes, on RCs you wouldn't need that wide of a beam but not too narrow. I mean if you're crawling at night you don't want to see 30 feet away but rather around you. Keep all this in mind when you pick out some LEDs. That said, I've yet to do anything but be lazy and buy whatever radioshack has.

Another point is that choosing the right resistor is very important. You can google LED calculators. They will tell you what resistor size to use for an input volatage. I use 1/8 watt resistors, 100 ohm for 6v supply from the receiver. I had 220 and the difference when I switched was huge. Too much voltage going thru the LED will shorten the life though. That's why the calculator is a good tool. Also don't run your LEDs in a series circuit. Ideally each light should have it's own loop with it's own resistor. I do 2 5mm LEDs per resistor and loop. Hope that makes sense.

Try here:

5mm LED Package Type | Component LEDs | Super Bright LEDs

The first White one looks nice. That's what I wanted to try personally...

[Mr.Joshua]

These are the brightest that i've seen..and have a good view angle.
Products - OverkillRC

[Charlie-III]

Originally Posted by hibbs

You really have to look at two factors. The mcd. millicandelas. This is as close to brightness as near as I could gather. Also you want to look at the lumens. Ideally they will both be high. The temperature I think isn't so much the brightness but rather the color of the light. You can Google this but white LEDs tend to have a blueish tint when you get toward a certain temperature. Finally the angle of the beam is different. generally a narrow beam will have higher specs. So the flashlight you have at work is probably really narrow so that the beam of light travels really far. .

True enough, any light source flows a given amount of photons (light) for a given input voltage.
If you spread the beam, not as many photons go in a given direction, thus the range appears shorter.
A narrow beam sends more photons in a direction giving the appearance of a brighter light.

Some of this is the LED lens, some is the reflector (in the case of a flashlight) and the balance may be the lens on the container (like the front lens on a flashlight).

Also, yes, the "color temperature" is the color of the light usually in Kelvin.

A "Google search" for "color temperature chart" yields a number of links, one is this.... Color temperature - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[pondslayer]

Have you heard of MadDog rc? These are super bright on 3 cell. You wont have any trouble seeing the trail 30 feet in front of you!
R/C Store 4" LED Light Bar

[pondslayer]

Also they come in various different sizes. They have a rock light pack with two light strips and the mounting hardwear, as well as a Wraith specific light bar roof mounting combo.

[sick86burban]

Idk how bright exactly you're looking for, but i bought one of those dollar store flashlights for $1, the have 9 leds in them. I wired some up last night on my f150 body, and they are bright as hell. I will try them out tonight and post some pics if u would like.

[Olle P]

I've got four bright white LEDs forward, and one backward (together with four much dimmer red lights). That's plenty for driving dark nights.

A video clip showing it in action.

[bbking9]

superbrightleds.com

[Rok Krawl]

thanks all for input. What do any of you use for the holders for single leds?

I have a proline light bar on top of my body, and a kit i bought on ebay way back that had 2 whites 2 reds.

The 1 dollar flash light ran cross my mind, but I am not sure where or how I could mount that.

Although I do have a few of those LED bars that I bought from Autozone that I use as a type of underbody lighting so I can see on those dark nights.

I mean you can put an led on the body. But is there anything out there that allows you to adjust the focal point? Similar like you can do with some flashlights?

Here is whats on my truck thus far. Whoa need to update pic. Built a set of custom tires.



Night run with the guys.

[Olle P]

Originally Posted by Rok Krawl

thanks all for input. What do any of you use for the holders for single leds?

Black melting glue! (LEDs mounted inside the body.)