New Mod on the Way - Think "I Robot"

I know I'm resurrecting an old post here, but I was looking at the light up badge options online (all for the larger size rings) and was contemplating how to do this..... Did you ever get further than a few prototypes?

Skipton01 said:
Well, the white LEDs have come and I've done another version of the grille badge and ............IT'S ON THE TANK!!!!!!

Here are a few photos, daylight with xenons on, night with sidelights on and night with xenons on.

I've done 1 journey on the public roads with it on - the look on peoples faces is great, they certainly know it's an Audi coming towards them!

BTW, none of the photos have been re-touched - they're all as it appears, but to be honest, they don't do it justice.





WAS : A2 TDI SE 2001 Ebony Black Pearl (The Little Tank!)
NOW : A2 TDi 90 Sport, OpenSky, winter pack, ISOfix, all-round fogs, climate control, all-round electric windows, Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB54, genuine HID xenons and red leather! Not to mention CCC Tech chipping (118bhp), K&N air filter, all round tinting, all-black headlining and retro-fitted cruise control and GALA.(The NEW Tank).
Click to expand...
 
Still waiting to see a black A2 with the red light 'Kit from Knight Rider' mod or the red stripe down the side 'A Team Van' mod
 
Be aware that unless you have an emergency vehicle it is illegal to show a blue light anywhere external on the car.
 
Mbzpar said:
Still waiting to see a black A2 with the red light 'Kit from Knight Rider' mod or the red stripe down the side 'A Team Van' mod
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I did see a black one with a red stripe one day in town. I believe it lives somewhere around the Milton Keynes area, I saw it mentioned some time later on one of the Facebook groups.
 
I do have a plan B - The ones on ebay and similar are 1cm longer and about 5mm in height bigger, but the alternative is to smooth the original plastic, fill it, primer and repaint in gloss black, then fit the larger rings. I have already got the spare service hatch grill as I suspected this might be the only option. I also liked the idea of interchanging them so I could have a standard and modified option.

Ebay rings

audifan said:
Multiple LEDs going to be very bright, all you would want is a soft glow.
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Last edited:
If it were me I would find a company to cut you a set of the rings to match the size on the service flap out acrylic or similar suitable material, this can then be edge illuminated to give the required glow.
 
It's absolutely not trivial. I have a set of ws2812 RGB LEDs soldered in the correct pattern and it was a pain.

- Bret
 
Spare grill. I've ordered the light up emblem. I will wait until it arrives in case it does actually fit.

IMG_20201024_144644.jpg
 
NOT going to get into a fight over this but..
Blue lights
Only emergency vehicles can display blue lights so it is an offence if your vehicle has any LED or neon under-vehicle lighting system or lights on windscreen, washer jets or number plates emitting a blue light. The motorist could receive a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice and or be reported to court.

This is from Suffolk Constabulary

www.suffolk.police.uk

Car Modifications

Information to explain what vehicle modifications are legal.
www.suffolk.police.uk www.suffolk.police.uk
 
audifan said:
NOT going to get into a fight over this but..
Blue lights
Only emergency vehicles can display blue lights so it is an offence if your vehicle has any LED or neon under-vehicle lighting system or lights on windscreen, washer jets or number plates emitting a blue light. The motorist could receive a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice and or be reported to court.

This is from Suffolk Constabulary

www.suffolk.police.uk

Car Modifications

Information to explain what vehicle modifications are legal.
www.suffolk.police.uk www.suffolk.police.uk
Click to expand...
There's a lot of useful information there. Thanks! The confusion I had was whether ANY type of blue light wasn't permitted or just if it was a beacon/flashing or pulsing type. Here's the full regulations : https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made I think that what's said there is what type of blue light IS allowed, so you're correct and I apologise for my error.

David
 
That's fine, as said was not looking for it to turn into a big debate. I suppose it is like everything else that is illegal, all it take is a routine or covid stop and they have the excuse to go through every thing. It is also like other road regulations that can be interpreted differently, so don't worry not a problem.?
 
The other important of that police notice concerns tyres and specifically " Stretch tyres are illegal and could invalidate your insurance" So all those thinking about fitting undersize tyres take note.
 
One step forwards, one step back. The painting is fine and I've fitted it but I've been scratching my head with the wiring. I've found it's the rear of the badge that's the problem. The wires are thin and have twisted and are shorting the circuit. Removing the lugs has also made the it harder to bend to fit. New badge on the way but for now it's debadged!
IMG_20210202_144116.jpg
 
Finally. It is done! There are a few bits to tidy and keep an eye on, the badge is set to be flat, and the smoothed grille has the gentle curve, and to get it to lay on I've taken the lugs off the badge. So it's fighting the 3M tape to straighten itself.
Other than that, it has a quick remover lead under the flap, plus enough flex to lay the bonnet down if you forget! It's switch run from the fuse board so can be on with all lights off as a DRL or you can have the lights on without the lit badge.

Cost -
Bonnet flap £25
Light £45
Connectors £3
Switch £3
Wire £6
Black electrical tape £1
Piggyback fuse holder £4
Painting £100

Plus an additional £30 when the original badge wasn't up to the job.
 

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That's excellent work! I AM impressed! At last, I feel that I'm not alone :) Have you got details of the badge that you finally fitted? I'm interested in how it's lit and its dimensions. My badge is pretty unique being "Lexan" sheet and is back-lit by LED's. That part is flush with the flap and only the Audi rings are forward. They originate from and Audi 100 model from some time ago ...

David
 
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