LED Help

[StEv0]

I was wondering if there is a way to make an LED not have a concentrated beam so it would act more like a flood light.

any input would be helpful thanks

[fj40jay]

you may be able to do it with a lens cover, but they do sell defused style led,s. flood style, as opposed to spot light style.
let me see if I can find a link, there was a guy on here that did a great write up on his rock light install.

[squatch71]

hmm...possibly put the LED in the center of a small flashlight deflector...then put something in the center of the LED to block the center of the beam from coming straight out....MAYBE...a dot of silver paint...that might reflect the forward LED light to the side of the reflector??? this is a total guess...but could work...Try it with a piece of round aluminum or some other reflective object...must be small so it doesn't completely block all the light..OR LEDs come in different degrees of beam...how wide do you want to go??

[StEv0]

thanks for the replies i guess my use of it might be of help when giving replies. I have a hilux scx10 I'm building and i have only one headlight i have the other one looking like it was broken by an impact with a rock or something and i want to get as much spread i can out of the one headlight. i read somewhere, don't remember where, that someone said cutting the tip of the LED so it is flat will help get this effect. I would like to get a straight answer before i go hacking up an LED.

[craddock35]

Wide angle led's or some lenses will spread the light a little but nothing like a wide angle led.

never tried cutting the led but in theory that should work since the shape of the led seems to effect the spread of the light.

[StEv0]

craddock35 do you know where i could buy one of these wide angle led's that can replace of the stock style axial led?

I do believe they are 3mm if im not mistaken

[craddock35]

Originally Posted by StEv0

craddock35 do you know where i could buy one of these wide angle led's that can replace of the stock style axial led?

I do believe they are 3mm if im not mistaken

All my stock leds are 5mm and you can fin them on the bay for fairly cheap. Look up 5mm superbright wide angle led. I would try to get about 35,000mcd or higher. I am not sure how high the wide angles go but the higher the mcd rate the brighter the light as long as they are wired properly. I will post a link to the lighting thread in a min.

[craddock35]

How to wire LEDs

[StEv0]

ok sweet thanks for the advise think i may go that route

[fj40jay]

Maybe try sand paper to scuff the front, before cutting one. The defused ones I have seen look frosted, or sand blasted. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[monkeyracing]

You can scuff up the surface of the LED with a Scotchbrite pad or very fine sandpaper. It will create a frosted surface, similar to a household lightbulb. It will soften the focus quite a bit.

[StEv0]

thanks guys i will try sanding when i pick up a few more lights. i will let you guys know what i come up with

[ik632]

I have some narrow beam LED's and you could probably just hit the tip of the LED with a little sandpaper. That will definitely diffuse the light a lot. Don't go crazy with it though, just a little bit at a time until you're happy.

[StEv0]

thanks guys when i get paid i will pick up some LED's and give the sand paper a try