New Charger Taillights - How Do They Do It?

[ChallengerHK]

What is the technology behind these continuous light tail lights? Are they electro-luminescent?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Usually they are light tubes with LEDs shooting down the tube. It'll refract within the tube and around corners.

There are likely a couple of LEDs within one that large.

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[ChallengerHK]

Thanks, Mike. So, basically, there has to be a tube in the shape that you want the light to follow and then you shoot an LED down the tube?

[anlauto]

Isn't it just separate LED's ?

[ChallengerHK]

I've seen some that are, but these and some others appear to be a continuous light.

[anlauto]

How about this angle ?

[Burdar]

What year is that?  The last design Chargers had LEDs like that, but the newest design seems to be like HK stated.  Some of the Durangos and Darts are that way as well.  The new Challengers have it too.

[ChallengerHK]

Hmm. Those do look like discrete lights. I thought the Charger was the same as the Durango, but I guess maybe not. I was behind a Durango this morning on the way to work, and at least from the angles I was able to see it it looked like a continuous source.

[RUNCHARGER]

They do look cool.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks, Mike. So, basically, there has to be a tube in the shape that you want the light to follow and then you shoot an LED down the tube?

Correct. Early attempts were neon, but we've gotten past those dark times in automotive lighting.


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[ChallengerHK]

I'm  assuming these tubea are rigid. Are there any flexible tubes?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I'm  assuming these tubea are rigid. Are there any flexible tubes?

I would imagine that they are formed when heated and could be reworked.


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[ChallengerHK]

As you can no doubt tell, my mind is working 

[cataclysm80]

I also like the continuous look.

I think the key is to have a lens which is smooth (without ribs to catch the light and make bright spots), and also the lens can't be see through, so you'd want to etch the inside of the lens.
After that, you could put evenly spaced LEDs behind it.

[cataclysm80]

Here's an LED light set up in a Challenger.
I don't think this is anything super trick, it's just some very bright LEDs in the stock housings.
Not my car, so I'm not sure if they're white LED or red LED, but I'm guessing they're white, and maybe red would retain more color when lit.