DTMAce's Z26 project - DD usage for the time being - 6-8-12

[snowblindburd]

Can't wait to see the tail lights!

[DTMAce]

Hit the LED sale thread, there are some trial shots of them there, but long way from done.

[snowblindburd]

=O OMG um hmm you may be doing a set for me in the future =P.

[DTMAce]

I will warn you. Not going to be cheap.

LEDs alone are going to run around 150-175 bucks for both sides. At the moment, the ball park figure is going to be around 275-300 for a set. But it will be bad ass.

Not sure if anyone remembers my mock ups I did a year ago to show what kind of lighting styles I was planning to do, but there will be at least 4 basic lighting patterns. Stock, vertical halves, horizontal halves, and a split style (2 rows for running lights, 4 for turns/brakes/hazards) Essentially there will be a circuit built, that you can preset the style you want and away you go. Plus you can always change them if you get bored to another style, or completely customize it your own way. Each light will have all 6 rows divided into 4 quadrants. Each row in each quadrant will have a jumper option for both the running light circuit (voltage reduced) and the brake/turns light circuit (full voltage) That means 12 options for EACH light circuit. So you can set certain rows/quadrants for low power (running lights) and certain ones for for full power (for turns and brakes). You can even jump all of them, so it is similar to stock. The circuits won't interfere with each other as I will have a relay setup for use on any row/quadrant that will do double duty. Still building all that in my head. Just thought of the relay tonight, if the diode trick won't do the job. Have to work out the details, testing, etc etc, yada yada...

Anyways, more on it later.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Pretty soon here Ace, I'm gonna send you a full set of sidemarker clears, brand new for you to mod out for me for the Quasar.

I'm also interested in having you custom build me some LED lights for the SCX's "sidemarkers" which in reality are only reflectors. I want them to be lights like the GTZ.

[snowblindburd]

300 pfft I'd be more than willing to pay that for a set of awesome tails =P. Everyone loves my sidemarkers =).

But anyway good luck and looking forward to seeing the progress!

[DTMAce]

No problem SGR, just hit me with a PM whenever....

As for Snow...... Cool.

I just got calculating total possible combinations of lighting patterns. 10 to the power of 2. There will be 10 (not 12) light options for both circuits. One quadrant will only have one row in it, the outer upper corner. So yeah. 100 possible combinations of lighting for each tail light. Good lord. And yes, this will work and work fine with standard US lighting circuits. Sadly with Euro versions of the light set up with the turns and brakes separate, it actually will lower your customizing, as you have to deal with having amber for the top half, and red on the bottom. Really limits the feasible options to just one. Stock. But they would still be pretty sweet converted over to this. Now, if you were to set your car up for Euro lighting and use US tails, holy crap but that opens the customizing to 10 to the 3rd power. 1000 possible combinations.



Keep in mind, the actual practical combinations will be much less, but still, a lot!

[snowblindburd]

Sounds awesome =). I do remember your post of some of the lighting possibilities. I'll have to think about what I'll want mine to do. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time while you work out the issues.

Thanks for doing this for the community by the way! I think i'll start posting in your lighting thread now so I don't hijack your car progress one anymore =P.

[DTMAce]

Removed these pics for easier viewing of the new ones. Sorry guys.

[snowblindburd]

Is sooooooooo blue! I like.

[DTMAce]

Ugh. Found my first dash crack today! Not fun. Its like finding a gray hair! lol It turned up in the typical area... Did some photo shoots today while I had a bit of sunshine... Hope to get a few more, then be able to actually have something worthwhile for next year's calendar.

[DTMAce]

OK everyone.

These are the pics I have to work with. I have variations of some of the shots too, but these are the ones I liked from each session. These were taken over the last couple days from both the Canada Soo and the US Soo (each side of the river)

Honestly I don't know if I have gotten the money shot yet or not, but your opinions will help. So here they are:

#1


Shot by the stone house in the Canada Soo. Its.. OK.

#2


This one is pretty decent. Overlooking the river between the US and Canada from the Canada side, just East of the Canada locks.

#3


Same place, but looking back at the bridge. I love this shot, but not liking the light. Car may be too dark in this shot.

#4


Again, same place, better lighting though. It works.

#5


This was the first one taken today. Behind the old Canada Soo hospital. Again overlooking the river/locks.

#6


Same lot, looking back toward the building. Tree looked nice behind it maybe. *shrug

#7


This is out near the Canada locks (the road out there). Just one of the side roads. Liked the color behind the car here.

#8


Shot at a rail road track in the US side of the Soo. Nothing overly special, but it looks ok.

#9


Hard pressed to say, but I really like this shot a lot. I took several, some closer, some farther. I really want to enter a rear or rear-ward shot for the calendar this year.

#10


Another, closer, with a higher angle than the previous one.

#11


And a front shot, same angle.

#12


One back at the beach that is only 1/4 mile down the road from here. lol



OK.

I have probably 4 or 5 times the pictures you see here that I took over the last 2 days. These are just the ones that popped out to me. Now, if you have time, let me know what ones stand out to you guys.

Keep in mind, OTHER than resizing them, they are STRAIGHT FROM THE CAMERA. I have not done ANYTHING to the photos to enhance, or adjust them, etc. So improvements can be made, but I rather the shots just work without having to do anything... LOL My original sizes are set at 5.5 MP in 16:9 mode. So 3072x1728. These are re-sized to 800x450, for easy viewing here.

There are 12 shots, just let me know the 3 that stand out the best for you! Thanks everyone!

[SuzukiGhostRider]

#7

[2.2H8TA]

#12 #6 #7... in that order.

[woody90gtz]

Shadowing is pretty severe in these pics, even though the locations look good. I'd go with #7.