Custom C5 taillights project
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
Best thing is to check with your State authority. Here are a couple links with some representative info:
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=801&q=252796
http://www.feniex.com/blog/2016/04/1...to-my-vehicle/
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Joined: Jun 2016
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The law sucks, they say only red, amber or yellow can be used in the rear of a vehicle but that not true, white is also used for reverse.
Now, I want HALO light in the back, can I use WHITE, that the question, I sure can use AMBER but will not give the result I want, any suggestion?
Now, I want HALO light in the back, can I use WHITE, that the question, I sure can use AMBER but will not give the result I want, any suggestion?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Canada does not appear to have as restrictive lighting laws.
http://www.ontarioticket.com/motor-vehicle-lighting.php
Theoretically, so long as your green lights do not flash, it would be permitted in Ontario. You should check the laws in your particular province. Of course, the article was written back in 2010, and laws can change in 7 years.
However, I would say be aware of people around you. Remember, they are the ones that are going to be seeing your green (or white) taillights, not you. You need to consider whether or not you would be okay staring at your taillights at night for long durations of time. If you are not, definitely do not do it. Lights towards the green and blue end of the spectrum are harsher on the eyes and generate more eye fatigue than lights on the yellow to red end of the spectrum.
http://www.ontarioticket.com/motor-vehicle-lighting.php
Flashing red lights, visible from any direction on a vehicle, are restricted to law enforcement vehicles only. This restriction does not include four way flashers or tapping the brake pedal to produce an on and off effect with the brake lights. In addition to this, red lights and red and blue combinations of lights to the front are also restricted to law enforcement vehicles. Flashing blue lights are restricted to police vehicles and snow removal vehicles, but only while they are actually engaged in the removal of snow (or de-icing, etc). Flashing green lights are restricted to volunteer fire fighters.
The Highway Traffic Act says nothing specific about under carriage neon lighting, nor about any other specific colours than those mentioned above, so, as long as they conform to the above specifications, they should, in theory, be permitted.
The Highway Traffic Act says nothing specific about under carriage neon lighting, nor about any other specific colours than those mentioned above, so, as long as they conform to the above specifications, they should, in theory, be permitted.
However, I would say be aware of people around you. Remember, they are the ones that are going to be seeing your green (or white) taillights, not you. You need to consider whether or not you would be okay staring at your taillights at night for long durations of time. If you are not, definitely do not do it. Lights towards the green and blue end of the spectrum are harsher on the eyes and generate more eye fatigue than lights on the yellow to red end of the spectrum.
Last edited by Tsumi; Apr 21, 2017 at 09:19 PM.
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Cool, I will check if I can do this here, whatever color I use, AMBER are ok to use in any circumstance so others from others country can use this.
I just read a document from my province, they say I cannot put something on a light (dark vinyl etc..) but does not talk about any light color, I will need to call monday to get more infos about this.
I just read a document from my province, they say I cannot put something on a light (dark vinyl etc..) but does not talk about any light color, I will need to call monday to get more infos about this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Many European cars are required to have rear fog lights, but even those are just brighter red or amber from what I have seen.
It might be possible to add a true dim "halo" effect around the circumference where the light does not shine directly out the back (similar to a license plate light that only illuminates the plate), but it probably would be drowned out by the red taillights (and not look very good). Don't think it could pass any DOT Certifications.
Several car manufacturers spend a fortune designing super expensive LED taillights to make their cars stand out from the competition. If they could legally and safely add/change colors to make a car stand out from the pack, they would be the first to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I think your quest to be unique is a bit irresponsible when it comes to traffic safety. At nite, if a person sees white lights, most of the driving public is going to expect that vehicle will be moving TOWARDS them. If they see red, they expect that vehicle to be stopped or moving away. Amber is used in front for signals and constant lighting like a fog. If it's in the rear, one expects that color to be a flashing signal.
I had color mixing halos on all six of my front lights on my Challenger. IF I had them on while driving I ONLY ran amber. Parked at a cruise/show, I had them doing all kinds of patterns, and everyone, especially kids, loved them.
Save your lighting creativity for shows and special effects, and leave the colors for the important lights alone.
I had color mixing halos on all six of my front lights on my Challenger. IF I had them on while driving I ONLY ran amber. Parked at a cruise/show, I had them doing all kinds of patterns, and everyone, especially kids, loved them.
Save your lighting creativity for shows and special effects, and leave the colors for the important lights alone.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 151
Likes: 40
From: Northville, MI
Sooo, back on topic
Regardless of the color (colour for my Ontario friend 
) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.
Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously
).
To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously
).To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
Last edited by AndyDove; Apr 22, 2017 at 09:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Andy, heat might work, be VERY patient. On my aforementioned Challenger, many people would install headlight halos using the same method, some would lose patience and cut the headlight buckets. Mine were applied to the outside and didn't look and less custom.
I like your and the OP's ideas about different types/patterns of LED's in the interior of the light. One idea I have, if seeking a halo effect, would be to provide a light source around the perimeter of the tail light hole, so light could show from around the small gap between the actual light itself and the body. You could use a side emitting light strip, which emits light from one side of the strip rather than the top. I've used them and they work great.
I like your and the OP's ideas about different types/patterns of LED's in the interior of the light. One idea I have, if seeking a halo effect, would be to provide a light source around the perimeter of the tail light hole, so light could show from around the small gap between the actual light itself and the body. You could use a side emitting light strip, which emits light from one side of the strip rather than the top. I've used them and they work great.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 51
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Regardless of the color (colour for my Ontario friend ) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.
Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously).
To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously
).To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
When you will receive the light, tell us if it's easy to remove or not
Also I have transparent PLA, but I guess printing a transparent lens will suck since you will see the lines. Maybe a transparent RED could be used and looks cool, who know!
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Andy, heat might work, be VERY patient. On my aforementioned Challenger, many people would install headlight halos using the same method, some would lose patience and cut the headlight buckets. Mine were applied to the outside and didn't look and less custom.
I like your and the OP's ideas about different types/patterns of LED's in the interior of the light. One idea I have, if seeking a halo effect, would be to provide a light source around the perimeter of the tail light hole, so light could show from around the small gap between the actual light itself and the body. You could use a side emitting light strip, which emits light from one side of the strip rather than the top. I've used them and they work great.
I like your and the OP's ideas about different types/patterns of LED's in the interior of the light. One idea I have, if seeking a halo effect, would be to provide a light source around the perimeter of the tail light hole, so light could show from around the small gap between the actual light itself and the body. You could use a side emitting light strip, which emits light from one side of the strip rather than the top. I've used them and they work great.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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I will do some work on my rear fenders today: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...int-under.html
After that I will test a flashlight behind one taillight to see the result. I will take a photo.
Cya later
After that I will test a flashlight behind one taillight to see the result. I will take a photo.
Cya later
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Regardless of the color (colour for my Ontario friend ) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.
Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously).
To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
) of different lights, I like the idea of 3D printing a support for LED's for the tail-lights.Personally I prefer the stock look (except maybe for wheels), so I'm aiming to keep the standard lens but 3D print a new reflector (behind the lens) with a structure for a matrix of white LED's (become red through the lens). I also like the idea of a halo and then have horizontal strip-leds for brake lamps, in line with the horizontal lines on the stock lens. Heck with a matrix I could spell out C5 or USUK (United States + United Kingdom, obviously
).To this end I just ordered a used C5 reflector on that auction site for $25 as something to play with. I'm curious how to remove the lens from the reflector without damage (some say heat in over 350F for 10mins...) so this might end up being sacrificial. We'll see...
/Andy
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 151
Likes: 40
From: Northville, MI
Well, the old lens will arrive in about a week, so nothing to see here folks :-)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Labidus, NOW you are onto something! I might just do that myself! IF a side emitting strip can fit in there somehow, you could do Amber strips and hook them to the turn signals
OR you could wire them separately for show/display purposes. too bad it's raining here....
OR you could wire them separately for show/display purposes. too bad it's raining here....
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Joined: Jun 2016
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I currently checking others possibilities with the taillight lens.
I can buy this ABS transparent RED to create my own LENS cover, I could also use 2 colors, like orange + red, so we can split the LENS in 2, glue them, put clear coat over for sun/uv protection, to create our custom lens over our custom taillight plate/reflector.
I can buy this ABS transparent RED to create my own LENS cover, I could also use 2 colors, like orange + red, so we can split the LENS in 2, glue them, put clear coat over for sun/uv protection, to create our custom lens over our custom taillight plate/reflector.
