In the video “Illuminate Your Ride: Creating LED Tail Lights with Zach Cool,” we are introduced to Zach Cool from NTXglow, a specialist in tail lights who has been building lights for many years. The video showcases the tools and materials needed for the project, including the illuminati kit, wires, snips, wire strippers, soldering iron, and solder. It also discusses the installation process of the LED tail lights, such as the specific way the LEDs should be installed to ensure the correct polarity and the possible need to drill extra holes in the acrylic. The video provides helpful information, including a cheat sheet for choosing the right resistors for dimming effects, and mentions different options for the kit, such as plug-and-play style or sequential turn signals with motion modules. Join Zach in this informative and engaging video to learn how to make your own LED tail lights and enhance the look of your ride!
In “How to Make LED Tail Lights,” presented by FlyRyde and featuring Zach Cool from NTXglow, viewers are introduced to the process of building Illumaesthetic LED kits for tail lights. The video covers the necessary tools and materials, such as the illuminati kit, wires, snips, wire strippers, soldering iron, and solder. Zach guides viewers through the installation process, discussing the directional nature of LEDs, the need to drill holes in some cases, and the specific wiring series to connect the LEDs. He also explains how to choose the correct resistors for desired dimming effects and discusses different options available with the kit. Join Zach in this detailed tutorial to create your own LED tail lights and add a unique touch to your vehicle.
Introduction
Hey there, it’s me, Zach Cool from NTXglow! Today, I’m excited to show you how to make your own Illumaesthetic LED tail lights. I’ve been building lights for years and tail lights are my specialty. In this article, I’ll be discussing the tools and materials you’ll need for the project, the process of understanding LED tail lights, preparing the acrylic, choosing the right resistors, working with LED lights, installing the dimmer module, and organizing the wiring. So, let’s jump right in and start making those cool LED tail lights!
About Zach Cool
Before we dive into the details of making LED tail lights, let me tell you a bit about myself. My name is Zach Cool and I am the owner of NTXglow. I have been building lights for many years now, and one of my main areas of expertise is tail lights. I have a wide variety of experience with different types of tail lights, from 350z lights to Illumaesthetic kits. So, you can trust that I know what I’m doing when it comes to creating custom LED tail lights.
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Tools and Materials
To get started with making your own LED tail lights, you’ll need a few essential tools and materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- Illuminati kit: This kit will come with everything you need, including main boards, reverse boards, red, amber, and white LEDs, resistor packs, and a dimmer module.
- Wires: You’ll need basic red and black wires to keep track of power and ground connections.
- Snips: These larger snips will help you cut through the wiring quickly and easily.
- Wire strippers: You’ll need wire strippers to strip the insulation off the wires for proper connections.
- Soldering iron: A soldering iron is essential for soldering the components together.
- Solder: Make sure to have some solder on hand for secure connections.
With these tools and materials, you’ll be ready to start creating your own LED tail lights.
Understanding LED Tail Lights
Before we begin the process of making LED tail lights, it’s important to understand how they work. LED lights are directional, meaning they only allow electricity to flow in one direction. In our case, one cathode of the LED will be longer than the other. It’s essential to determine which cathode is positive and which is negative, as this will affect the installation process.
When installing the LEDs, we want to make sure all the grounds are on the inside of the heart shape and all the powers are on the outside, or vice versa. This arrangement allows for a cleaner and more organized wiring setup. Keep in mind that different brands may have different configurations, so always double-check the instructions or markings on the LEDs for proper installation.
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Preparing the Acrylic
Now that you understand the basics of LED tail lights, let’s move on to preparing the acrylic. In some cases, you may need to drill holes in the acrylic to accommodate the LEDs. This usually happens when the acrylic is heated and shaped to fit the light, causing the holes to shrink. To fix this, you can use a drill bit to enlarge the holes slightly, ensuring a perfect fit for the LEDs.
Drilling the holes from the back side of the acrylic will prevent any potential damage to the front side. Be cautious not to drill too much, as you want the LEDs to fit securely without any wobbling. A small adjustment in size should be enough to ensure a snug fit for the LEDs.
Choosing the Right Resistors
Now let’s talk about choosing the right resistors for your LED tail lights. The size of the resistors depends on the desired dimming effect you want to achieve. This dimming effect is essential for parking lights, brake lights, or custom lighting effects like show modes. The options for resistor sizes typically range from 120 to 150.
I recommend referring to the provided resistor cheat sheet that comes with your Illumaesthetic kit. This cheat sheet will guide you in selecting the correct resistor based on the LED color and desired dimming effect. It’s worth mentioning that 120 and 150 resistors are interchangeable, and you will receive either one depending on what’s available at the time of your purchase.
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Working with LED Lights
Now that you have your resistors and LEDs ready, it’s time to start working with the LED lights themselves. Most Illumaesthetic kits come with interchangeable LED lights of either 120 or 150. These LED lights are usually divided into packs of five, four, or three, depending on the specific design.
To make the installation process easier and more organized, I recommend marking each pack of LED lights. This can be done with a marker by simply writing the corresponding resistor size on the pack. By doing this, you won’t have to go back and figure out which resistor to use for each pack, as it will already be marked.
When it comes to wiring the LED lights, we’ll be wiring them in series. This means that the negative cathode of one LED will connect to the positive cathode of the next LED. This allows for a consistent flow of electricity between each LED, ensuring proper functionality. To secure the connections, we’ll be soldering the LEDs into place.
After soldering, make sure to trim any excess wire for a cleaner and neater appearance.
Installing the Dimmer Module
To add more functionality to your LED tail lights, you can install a dimmer module. This module allows your red lights to have parking and brake light functionality. To install the dimmer module, simply glue it in place according to the instructions provided with the module. This will ensure a secure and reliable connection.
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Organizing the Wiring
Now that most of the components are in place, it’s time to organize the wiring. This step involves connecting the grounds and powers together to create a cohesive and functional lighting system. Make sure to follow the instructions provided with your Illumaesthetic kit to ensure the correct connections are made.
By organizing the wiring, you’ll have a clean and tidy setup that not only looks professional but also makes troubleshooting and maintenance much easier in the future.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to make your own LED tail lights. We covered everything from understanding LED lights to preparing the acrylic, choosing the right resistors, working with the LED lights, installing the dimmer module, and organizing the wiring. With these steps, you can create your own custom LED tail lights that will not only enhance the look of your vehicle but also provide additional functionality.
Remember, the NTXglow Illumaesthetic kit allows for creativity and customization, so feel free to explore different options, such as plug-and-play styles or sequential turn signals with motion modules. Enjoy the process of building your own LED tail lights and have fun showcasing your unique style on the road!
