Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Spotted this posted photo on here and,
looking more carefully,
saw that the owner has embedded an LED panel in the roll bar!
GREAT IDEA!
I've always spent more time than I should, looking in my rear view making sure the vehicle behind me plans to stop! We sit low, and we stop really well, and the brake lights really aren't that bright all on their own. This is a nice, unobtrusive, non-invasive way to protect your rear end.
(oh, but wait, I don't have a roll bar

For those without a bar I've seen many LEDs integrated into the license frame too. But who likes frames

Headrests

FairladySPL wrote:Spotted this posted photo on here and,
looking more carefully,
saw that the owner has embedded an LED panel in the roll bar!
GREAT IDEA!
I've always spent more time than I should, looking in my rear view making sure the vehicle behind me plans to stop! We sit low, and we stop really well, and the brake lights really aren't that bright all on their own. This is a nice, unobtrusive, non-invasive way to protect your rear end.
(oh, but wait, I don't have a roll bar

That is a photo I snapped (~2004!) of Todd Osborn's '68 SRL "DATSFUN". He now has LEDs mounted into the headrests!

here is another thread with similar, roll bar mounted light bars:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... rake+light


Dave Premo's:


Bikermike has a neat solution by mounting a light just above the trunk lid, I have picture somewhere.

You'd be surprised at the difference in opinions regarding "effectiveness" of this addition to our cars. I tend to agree with you: anything to improve visibility is a good thing considering how small/low we are.

Yep! one of those pictures are mine. Older thread.

http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23916

Alvin wrote:Bikermike has a neat solution by mounting a light just above the trunk lid, I have picture somewhere.

I have tried a few different things since a little silver car on the freeway isn't too visible.

1. LED tail light bulbs - Discussed here: http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... &hilit=LED
This form factor seems the brightest: 2. A magnetic 3rd brake light on the back of the trunk lid. I found a black plastic one on ebay similar to this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-quality-Re ... mi&vxp=mtr I painted it sliver and epoxied some neodymium magnets in the base to keep it in place. I can also move it inside the top and mount it higher. It's not elegant, but it is functional.

3. Strip LED under the "tub moulding", however it is not visible when running with a tonneau or top boot. (I remove the trunk one when the LED strip is visible.) Use the red LED strips that have the LEDs on the edge.
4. An option I am trying is a wireless brake light that I mounted with zip ties between the visors. There is a sending unit that is wired and the receiver is battery operated. It is designed to be used on the back of a motorcycle helmet. Since LEDs are directional, it is not distracting when I am driving. Again, not elegant...but it is up high.
5. I have another solution on the project list using the strip LEDs in the seams of the headrests. I mocked it up a while ago and it looks pretty good.

6. For visibility up front I use the "switchback" LED bulbs that act as white running lights and flash amber.
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... &hilit=LED


These are likely too distracting to use at night, but since pre-68 cars are wired to have parking lights off when headlights are on it is not an issue for me.

This is another version. 7" of red stop in center with 4" of amber each side for turns.
Very bright! Hopefully hard to miss!
I found it on a site set up for motorcycles. Very good to deal with.
Spoke on the phone to find the item I wanted.
www.customdynamics.com
Carl

Just the brakes on.
I pictured something stick on with little or no thickness (flush) when I ordered, But it has about 1/2" of thickness!
Ended up cutting the bar, inseting the led to make it flush, Oh well, hours later it's flush.

I mounted a set of these to my rollbar right at eye level for the cars behind me. They have worked great for me. Ran the wired down the inside of the bar and through the trunk wall. They have two phases, so works great for brake lights and turn signals.

https://encrypted.google.com/search?{go ... 5321255068

These ideas are all very cool & creative.

I think I have a spare set of headrests I'd be willing to cut up, or perhaps just Velcro an LED unit on each seat.
Cheap project for peace of mind.

I updated some pics in my post above.

FairladySPL wrote:I think I have a spare set of headrests I'd be willing to cut up, or perhaps just Velcro an LED unit on each seat.
Cheap project for peace of mind.

Rather than cutting up the headrests, try using the strip LEDs like these in the seams of the headrests. You want the ones with the LEDs on the edge, not the center. I mocked it up and it looked pretty sharp. I need to find pics

If you just want to stick them on the back the headrests, use the ones with the LEDs down the center. You can find them on eBay for a few bucks.

After looking at the variety of ideas here and then what's on the market. I am leaning toward a single, high intensity LED module (housing). The light strips are cool, but they almost veer into a being style point rather than having an unmistakable function.

Around this area we have a lot of maritime supply houses. I have found some high intensity "port" bow marker LED housings, red, that come with a variety of mounting hardware. The lip of the trunk on the 311 is unconventional, but I might be able to epoxy a flat bracket to the edge of the trunk lid so that the fixture clears the back deck and rises up when I open the lid. No drilling, and the wire would run into the trunk and poke through one of the threaded holes in the back bulkhead.

Thanks everyone for the nudge and range of solutions.

I picked this project back up after a few years. I still need to tidy up the wiring. I added some LED turn signals and brake lights to my headrests to improve visibility from behind. I added a switch inside the console so I can deactivate them when the top is up.

That is pretty neat.

https://www.customdynamics.com/genesis- ... 0-diameter

These are the brightest LED's I have ever seen. You can get them with a variety of base styles to fit most housings. They will hurt your eyes, they are so bright. I put them in everything I build. Just an option.