HowTo: Vent Lights - DIY for Less!!

[broderp]

If anyone is electrically savvy, and wants to add some slick lighting to their F3 or F3-S, or just curious - read on!

I started a thread here with my concerns over how the "standard for vent lights" come from TricLED's and that they do not fit as portrayed:

Install video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNNcW64VqA0&ab_channel=Slingmods

Link to previous discussion and images:
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...cLED-Vent-Lights-anyone-have-issues-with-them

Customer service at SlingMods has been GREAT to work with on resolving my concern. After consulting with their technical team, I was told the current product from TricLED I received was made correctly, but conceded in that they clearly see how it does not fit as shown in their video, nor can the product fit as shown. They checked with their shop Spyder's, pulled one from stock, measured it and consulted with the technical people. I can only surmise that the product is currently made to a longer dimension than the one used on the product video. Unless you are willing to accept/ want the LED strip to stick out from under the vent and are OK with a visible strip that is exposed to the elements and look clearly "stuck on" then these may not be a good option. It was not acceptable for me.

I decided to make my own.

Cost
TricLED's cost about $100 once you factor in shipping. (Again, these are a good product if you don't mind the shortcomings of the design.)
https://www.slingmods.com/can-am-sp...g-light-strips-turn-signals?search=vent light

I spend about $119 in total for parts but I can make 4 complete sets with almost enough parts to make 2 more kits. Doing some basic math, the kit I made cost me $16.76. :2thumbs:

General parts list included

• LED's
• LED Module/ Voltage Controller
• Connectors/ terminals etc.
• Wire
• Module Housing (custom design & 3D printed)
• 3M VBH Tape
• Cloth Tape

I'm currently "life testing" v2.0 on my Spyder.
Version 2 - Highlights

• Low profile LEDs.(IP65 Rated) (TricLED's are double the height due to the tubing)
• LED wires come out the side - not the end for cleaner/ easier install and wire routing (TricLED's come out end)
• Adjustable voltage - Based on LED requirements (TricLED's are not adjustable)
• Amp draw (PER PAIR) w/12.5-14.5Vdc in ~ 0.3A (TricLED's run 0.45A EACH! - they get very warm! ) :yikes:
• Waterproof connectors (TricLED's are not all waterproof)
• Exact fit harness- follows existing harnesses for OEM look (TricLED's are a 'shove it in the opening and hide it')
• Harnesses are wrapped in cloth tape - match OEM harness/ protection (TricLED's are exposed)

Later Updates: (After testing v2 as needed)
Version 3 - Upgrades

• Revised circuit - 50-60% smaller module (Custom)
• Current Adjustable - based on LED requirements
• OEM Harness Adapter, for 100% no harness modification
• Diffuser/ amber housing (ABS plastic) - it wont look like a strip light.

I forgot to measure the lumens from the TricLED kit and compare them to mine. I will try to do this today.

I have attached a few images of the current version installed. It there is any interest I can post more images or details. You be the judge if this is something you wish to tackle - or maybe would buy as an alternate to TricLED's .....

 

[wolfeman]

I think plenty of us would buy an alternative to TricLED's.

 

[ned64]

They look pretty good. And the price difference wow. Always wondered how come prices for LEDs made products for Spyders were so much when you buy them made. Anyway nice job you did.

 

[broderp]

I think plenty of us would buy an alternative to TricLED's.

I'm surprised there aren't a lot of other companies selling more kits. The few I notice seem to be the same thing only rebranded.

They look pretty good. And the price difference wow. Always wondered how come prices for LEDs made products for Spyders were so much when you buy them made. Anyway nice job you did.

Thanks! I've learned that if you attach a specific title to a part, it makes it more expensive. For example:

All the below can be the exact same thing, just marketed differently.

• High quality strip lights - $20
• Heavy Duty LED Strip Light - $30
• Automotive grade LED Lighting - $45
• Motorcycle or Off road LED strip lighting - $55

:dontknow:

Now, I didn't include manufacturing cost or advertising and I'm no business graduate, but even if I doubled or tripled my price to cover such things, I would come in cheaper. I'd rather sell 1000 kits for less and make up for it in volume and getting my companies' name out there over selling 500 kits at an incredibly high price. There's also the customer service and warranty side of it....

v2 is a functional test platform. I want to see how long the LED's last as well as the control module I made. It was hand made with beefier parts and features than I really need from "off the shelf components". I am already creating a new PCB and control board circuit I will have made (so a bit more cost..) to achieve the size reduction over the current v2.

I will post a few things and images as I go along, if there is enough interest, I may offer some to members at some low cost to test out the installation process and the lights, but that is pretty far away at this point. If I do, it will likely be a limited run due to the fact I can get a better price per control board if i buy more than one PCB. No promised though, the V2 I have now may work perfectly fine that I won't feel the need to miniaturize or change what I have.

In case anyone is curious, I attached an image of my LED strips (missing the protective end caps) and the v2 module) ready for measuring, connectors and cloth tape wrapping. The module is 3D printed in transparent black, because I have several LED's that light indicating operation, so I can trouble shoot without disassembly. ironically, it worked with no issues, but it looks interesting. lol

:cheers: