Photos of first test of rear lighted T on car

[drtko147]

Two of the final pre-production prototypes are on the way to me for final installation on my car and one other. Assuming all proves ok, production will begin and we'll begin taking orders in early July.

I am wondering how the wiring works for the reverse lighting.

 

[artsci]

I am wondering how the wiring works for the reverse lighting.

FYI, the reverse lighting will have no effect on the rear lighted T" it's trigged by the 12v signal to the rear running and brake lights.

 

[Jhall118]

Jeez... please take my money!

 

[Raffy.Roma]

Tested the beta of the rear lighted T tonight and snapped a few photos. The set-up was rather crude (the T and arch were temporarily glued in place and the wiring was outside the car) so the photos don't do it justice. The test was to evaluate the color tone of the red LEDs to be sure they matched the tail and brake lights and also to test the brightness of the T at both levels -- with rear running lights on and brakes applied. The color match is nearly perfect but the lower brightness level needs to be reduced 10-15 percent to match the rear running lights. With brakes applied the brightness match is quite good.

Here are a few photos. Regrettably the camera does not capture the full effect. But even with my crude set up it was quite cool.

View attachment 50694

View attachment 50695

Cool!

 

[Akikiki]

There won't be a list this time -- they'll go into production as soon as we iron out the remaining details. This time we'll have an installation video by the time we take and ship orders.

@Artsci,

This red rear lighted T looks amazing ! Wow, makes the back side really pop.

 

[xhawk101]

@Artsci,

This red rear lighted T looks amazing ! Wow, makes the back side really pop.

Agreed needed on the back of my car as soon as possible

 

[michael1800]

Great looking project. It looks like I'll have to spring for this as well!

 

[artsci]

The installation today at the Hamilton NJ supercharger was a success. My hat is off to SUPURKAR, without whose knowledge and assistance this would not have been possible.

The rear lighted Ts are now installed on SUPURKAR's and my car. I have a lot of photos of the install which I'll post later It's very cool, even better than the front lighted T I think.

We learned one thing: unlike the front lighted T this is not a job for anyone but the most experienced and skilled DIYer. The greatest challenge of this install is reinstalling the rear llfttgate trim, which has to be removed (along with all the other lift gate trim). This is a very tricky task and aligning all of the plastic rivet/snap-ins is difficult. The rest of the job is pretty easy -- just this one task is a challenge.

SUPURKAR and I concluded that this is a job best done by an experienced aftermarket shop -- a sound system installer and the like.

I'll be working on the installation instructions this week. In the meantime, I'll be authorizing Oznium to begin production. BTW, they got the brightness spot on -- in both running light and brake mode it's a perfect match.

Photos a bit later tonight.

Working with my own local shop, I'm going to try to identify a new work of shops nationwide who can do this install.

 

[rekoh]

cant wait to see!!!!

 

[artsci]

cant wait to see!!!!

Here are a few photos. Interestingly, the camera reads the reds a bit differently (makes the tail lights look orange) and make the T glow a bit, but to the eye they are a perfect match and the low effect is much diminished (the multi-coat red intensifies the reflection).

Here's a shot of SUPURKAR trying to jockey the large lift gate trim piece in place. You can see why it's difficult.

 

[brianman]

This is the first thing I saw when I looked at the original picture:

 

[artsci]

This is the first thing I saw when I looked at the original picture:
View attachment 52112

We always want our Teslas to be happy

Tonight I'm going to adjust the white balance settings on my camera and shoot some more photos with more accurate representation of the colors.

 

[Caloncho]

This is the first thing I saw when I looked at the original picture:
View attachment 52112

@brianman, you so funny :smile:

 

[tdiggity]

We learned one thing: unlike the front lighted T this is not a job for anyone but the most experienced and skilled DIYer. The greatest challenge of this install is reinstalling the rear llfttgate trim, which has to be removed (along with all the other lift gate trim). This is a very tricky task and aligning all of the plastic rivet/snap-ins is difficult. The rest of the job is pretty easy -- just this one task is a challenge.

Do the rivets and snap pieces look similar to how the chrome on the nosecone is held in place? Those are a real PITA, too.

 

[artsci]

Do the rivets and snap pieces look similar to how the chrome on the nosecone is held in place? Those are a real PITA, too.

I haven't removed that trim peice but they're standard plastic rivets/snap-ins. Some break when they're removed or reinstalled, they often fall out of the mounting slots, a few stay stuck in the mounting holes. Yes a real PITA.

 

[artsci]

I need three volunteers to do test installs of the rear lighted T. The volunteers will get the rear T for free but most do the following:

Discuss the installation procedures with me by phone first before doing the installation
Share comments and notes with me about the installation and how it might be improved or made easier
Take photos of the installation and agree to make them available on TMC and in the installation instructions

If you're interested, please PM me. The volunteers will be chosen on a first-come first-served basis.

 

[zax123]

Me me!

 

[artsci]

Me me!

Great! You're volunteer #1. I've respond to your PM. Via a direct email to me we now have a 2nd volunteer, so there's now only one slot left.

 

[AlMc]

Great! You're volunteer #1. I've respond to your PM. Via a direct email to me we now have a 2nd volunteer, so there's now only one slot left.

Would you consider having someone pay an car audio shop pro do one IF they agree to photographs/written comments?

 

[Asif]

Would you consider having someone pay an car audio shop pro do ine IF they agree to photographs/written comments?

+1, had the same question myself after reading about your install.