yellow turn signals and full circles (finally) - LotusTalk

rob13572468 · 06-20-2005, 07:55 PM

finally got around to doing the lights. needless to say they look great. the yellow inside circles are now the turn signals and all four lights light up on braking. i havent done the two inside half circles yet because wasnt sure that i wanted all 4 on low for parking but now im leaning towards that. at any rate, its just a matter of switching out the sockets which ill probably do tomorrow.

i took some quick pics. they're a bit blurry so ill get some better ones tomorrow when the lighting is better....

MattG · 06-20-2005, 08:07 PM

What's that car in the background? Looks almost like a Camaro with a body kit, yet with a Euro plate?

steuspeed · 06-20-2005, 08:37 PM

Cool Rob. I have been waiting for somone to do this. Keep us updated. All four parking should look good. Post pics and opinion if you do it.

rob13572468 · 06-21-2005, 04:41 AM

yep, after driving around and looking at them all night im defiantley going to do the four circles.

unfortuanately, the project has been plagues with all sorts of problems. the parts are simply not available in exact form. that is to say, they sell them, but not in small quantities. those that have some dont have them in stock. even the bulbs are difficult to get. what i ended up doing was getting close matching sockets made for a gm car. they have the 3 tabs but were slightly larger and needed to be ground down to fit the lens. the smaller sockets for the turn signals are present but no plugs are available and neither are the bulbs (at least in the US for the present). again, halogen stop lamps fit with some grinding of the tabs on the bulb+socket assembly. there is also the issue of getting the turn signals to blink at the correct rate: the stock turn bulbs are 2x21W in the back and i replaced these with a single 27 w halogen which was very bright and visible at greater than 300 ft. a power resistor in line with the bulb will bring the blinking to the correct rate.

the whole setup looks great now that the car has yellow turn signals like it should. the bulb and socket problems are making me think that it may be easier to just go with LED's. i have already designed the circuit board rings to mount the LEDs onto. there would be ~24 LEDs in each red circle and 7 yellow or white LED's for the center circle. i am going to build a prototype of one lense asembly in the near future to see how it compares and if all goes well, then 3 more for extended testing.

rob13572468 · 06-21-2005, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

What's that car in the background? Looks almost like a Camaro with a body kit, yet with a Euro plate?

nope, not a camaro... its a prototype supercar built in europe. right now its in the concept stage which means that what you see in the pics below will be different from the final design which is expected to be ready for production in 2007. the vehicle is at our firm to have the electronics revised to specifications, that means things like designing and building a new instrument cluster, new climate controls, audio system, and driver control. I cant say alot but think "glass cockpit" avaition controls and you're on the right track. we are also providing an engineering assessment of the types of engine controls, e-shift, and active suspension.

ekological · 06-21-2005, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob13572468

yep, after driving around and looking at them all night im defiantley going to do the four circles.

unfortuanately, the project has been plagues with all sorts of problems. the parts are simply not available in exact form. that is to say, they sell them, but not in small quantities. those that have some dont have them in stock. even the bulbs are difficult to get. what i ended up doing was getting close matching sockets made for a gm car. they have the 3 tabs but were slightly larger and needed to be ground down to fit the lens. the smaller sockets for the turn signals are present but no plugs are available and neither are the bulbs (at least in the US for the present). again, halogen stop lamps fit with some grinding of the tabs on the bulb+socket assembly. there is also the issue of getting the turn signals to blink at the correct rate: the stock turn bulbs are 2x21W in the back and i replaced these with a single 27 w halogen which was very bright and visible at greater than 300 ft. a power resistor in line with the bulb will bring the blinking to the correct rate.

the whole setup looks great now that the car has yellow turn signals like it should. the bulb and socket problems are making me think that it may be easier to just go with LED's. i have already designed the circuit board rings to mount the LEDs onto. there would be ~24 LEDs in each red circle and 7 yellow or white LED's for the center circle. i am going to build a prototype of one lense asembly in the near future to see how it compares and if all goes well, then 3 more for extended testing.

I was wondering how you got the correct plugs as I saw that simply swapping them around wouldn't work. Might getting the euro taillights be easier?

Paul MD · 06-21-2005, 06:55 AM

I hope your client doesn't watch Elisetalk!!! He might not be too happy seeing his car on the web?

ekological · 06-21-2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul MD

I hope your client doesn't watch Elisetalk!!! He might not be too happy seeing his car on the web?

Don't worry...it's fairly hideous

jyip · 06-21-2005, 08:49 AM

hm...my mod is different thaa your mod...all my tail lights r on during driving but when i brake all the tail light just get brighter
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/imag...ine=1118739114

shay2nak · 06-21-2005, 09:38 AM

Great!!! So, all the wiring was already there, huh. Just some of them not used.

rob13572468 · 06-21-2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Great!!! So, all the wiring was already there, huh. Just some of them not used.

yes, the wiring is all present, there are a couple of ways to do the attachment. the ideal method is to source out the plugs that attach to each lens set and then the configurations can literally be swapped in/out at will. the only issue with that is that the cost of the sockets are high: roughly $140 at cost for the 12 sockets + bulbs without any of the harnessing being done. hopefully properly sourcing the parts will drop the costs.

rob13572468 · 06-21-2005, 10:31 AM

Quote:

I hope your client doesn't watch Elisetalk!!! He might not be too happy seeing his car on the web?

Don't worry...it's fairly hideous

i believe the car has actually been shown a few times so this particular model can be viewed.

anyway, fairly hideous isnt the word... i dont know if anyone is familiar with how concept cars are built, essentially they are put (slapped) together for the sole purpose of getting them to the shows to generate comments/interest and gauge response to various aspects of the design. sometimes, the cars do even have a motor in them, most of the time its not the real one, just something enough to get the vehicle rolling. the built quality is just for show as well; things that look like metal are really cnc cut plastic, panels are flimsly, etc. thats why these cars tend to sit behind a rope with a "do not touch" sign on them...

once (if) the model generates enough interest, then it gets converted to a more usable vehicle: one that can be day-to-day driven and used. at the same time, changes start being made to tweak the appearance to fix things that need changing as far as appearance. personally for me that means getting rid of the blue paint and fixing some of the lines as well as the many many other things that the client will want.

Shiftlock · 06-21-2005, 11:48 AM

When I look at the dash and console of that prototype car, I don't understand exactly what I'm seeing. Does it connect to the passenger's seat? I would imaging that cockpit would work great on an alien craft built by some type of being that has different body appendages. There are things about it that I like though. The exterior is very sleek, and I suspect the coefficient of drag is very low. Very interesting.

shay2nak · 06-21-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob13572468

yes, the wiring is all present, there are a couple of ways to do the attachment. the ideal method is to source out the plugs that attach to each lens set and then the configurations can literally be swapped in/out at will. the only issue with that is that the cost of the sockets are high: roughly $140 at cost for the 12 sockets + bulbs without any of the harnessing being done. hopefully properly sourcing the parts will drop the costs.

why did you have to buy 12? Don't the outer taillights have all 3 sockets? It's the inner lights that are missing one? Oh, I have it backwards...

ekological · 06-21-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay2nak

why did you have to buy 12? Don't the outer taillights have all 3 sockets? It's the inner lights that are missing one? Oh, I have it backwards...

Many of the stock sockets only have provision for a single filament bulb. In order to do the mod right, you'd have to use a double filament so that when you turn on your parking lights/headlights, it glows low intensity for the full circle. When you hit the brakes, then it will light up full intensity.

MattG · 06-21-2005, 01:30 PM

Sorry for the continual thread hijack, but...I just realized, the interior bits in that show car are from a MKII ('91-95) MR2! The dash, steering column, door handle, window switches, ignition key placement, all MR2 (possibly the glovebox, too). The wheelbase looks comparable as well; looks like they build this on an MR2 platform.

MattG · 06-21-2005, 01:32 PM

How bright are the amber turn signals with your setup? Are they comparable to the stock lighting configuration?

anders · 06-22-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyip

hm...my mod is different thaa your mod...all my tail lights r on during driving but when i brake all the tail light just get brighter
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/imag...ine=1118739114

How did you do this?

reganfin · 06-23-2005, 04:58 AM

Since so much of the Elise is "borrowed" from other vehicles. Does anyone recognize our tail light assembly? If so it is possible that we could change to an off the shelf aftermarket LED setup.

Arno · 06-23-2005, 09:41 AM

Taillights and headlights (and indicators) are custom bult for the Elise by WIPAC in the UK.

The bulb sockets are from CEMM Thome in France:

http://www.cemmthome.com/anglais/a_ae.htm

Unfortunately they are a large scale manufacturer, so won't accept orders for less than a few thousand units.

The same bulb holders are often used on cars for front indicators, position lights, etc.

A good look through a junkyard may turn up some good ones.. I heard that some older Mercedes cars used the same sort of bulb holders..

Bye, Arno.

06-20-2005, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
rob13572468 the devil's advocate... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Posts: 699	yellow turn signals and full circles (finally) finally got around to doing the lights. needless to say they look great. the yellow inside circles are now the turn signals and all four lights light up on braking. i havent done the two inside half circles yet because wasnt sure that i wanted all 4 on low for parking but now im leaning towards that. at any rate, its just a matter of switching out the sockets which ill probably do tomorrow. i took some quick pics. they're a bit blurry so ill get some better ones tomorrow when the lighting is better.... Attached Images

06-20-2005, 08:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,238 Images: 11	What's that car in the background? Looks almost like a Camaro with a body kit, yet with a Euro plate? __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

06-21-2005, 09:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,736	Great!!! So, all the wiring was already there, huh. Just some of them not used. __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 GG EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEO CLIPS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

06-21-2005, 01:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,238 Images: 11	Sorry for the continual thread hijack, but...I just realized, the interior bits in that show car are from a MKII ('91-95) MR2! The dash, steering column, door handle, window switches, ignition key placement, all MR2 (possibly the glovebox, too). The wheelbase looks comparable as well; looks like they build this on an MR2 platform. __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

06-21-2005, 01:32 PM	#17 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,238 Images: 11	How bright are the amber turn signals with your setup? Are they comparable to the stock lighting configuration? __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

06-20-2005, 08:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
steuspeed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 826	Cool Rob. I have been waiting for somone to do this. Keep us updated. All four parking should look good. Post pics and opinion if you do it.

06-21-2005, 04:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
rob13572468 the devil's advocate... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Posts: 699	yep, after driving around and looking at them all night im defiantley going to do the four circles. unfortuanately, the project has been plagues with all sorts of problems. the parts are simply not available in exact form. that is to say, they sell them, but not in small quantities. those that have some dont have them in stock. even the bulbs are difficult to get. what i ended up doing was getting close matching sockets made for a gm car. they have the 3 tabs but were slightly larger and needed to be ground down to fit the lens. the smaller sockets for the turn signals are present but no plugs are available and neither are the bulbs (at least in the US for the present). again, halogen stop lamps fit with some grinding of the tabs on the bulb+socket assembly. there is also the issue of getting the turn signals to blink at the correct rate: the stock turn bulbs are 2x21W in the back and i replaced these with a single 27 w halogen which was very bright and visible at greater than 300 ft. a power resistor in line with the bulb will bring the blinking to the correct rate. the whole setup looks great now that the car has yellow turn signals like it should. the bulb and socket problems are making me think that it may be easier to just go with LED's. i have already designed the circuit board rings to mount the LEDs onto. there would be ~24 LEDs in each red circle and 7 yellow or white LED's for the center circle. i am going to build a prototype of one lense asembly in the near future to see how it compares and if all goes well, then 3 more for extended testing.

06-21-2005, 06:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Paul MD 2nd Timer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Back in Sunny Maryland Posts: 731	I hope your client doesn't watch Elisetalk!!! He might not be too happy seeing his car on the web?

06-21-2005, 08:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
jyip Purple Exige2 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: China/Hong Kong Posts: 28	hm...my mod is different thaa your mod...all my tail lights r on during driving but when i brake all the tail light just get brighter http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/imag...ine=1118739114

06-21-2005, 11:48 AM	#13 (permalink)
Shiftlock Fed Elise #242, Now Turbo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 1,712	When I look at the dash and console of that prototype car, I don't understand exactly what I'm seeing. Does it connect to the passenger's seat? I would imaging that cockpit would work great on an alien craft built by some type of being that has different body appendages. There are things about it that I like though. The exterior is very sleek, and I suspect the coefficient of drag is very low. Very interesting.

06-23-2005, 04:58 AM	#19 (permalink)
reganfin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 650	Who donated lights? Since so much of the Elise is "borrowed" from other vehicles. Does anyone recognize our tail light assembly? If so it is possible that we could change to an off the shelf aftermarket LED setup.

06-23-2005, 09:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
Arno Nerd on wheels Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,024	Taillights and headlights (and indicators) are custom bult for the Elise by WIPAC in the UK. The bulb sockets are from CEMM Thome in France: http://www.cemmthome.com/anglais/a_ae.htm Unfortunately they are a large scale manufacturer, so won't accept orders for less than a few thousand units. The same bulb holders are often used on cars for front indicators, position lights, etc. A good look through a junkyard may turn up some good ones.. I heard that some older Mercedes cars used the same sort of bulb holders.. Bye, Arno.

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