[CleanSlate221]

Ok, so I got the interior panel off the hatch of my ‘22 bolt 2LT. I popped the plug on the tail light and snapped a pic.

assuming the voltage coming OFF this circuit board is “reduced” to supply the constant power for running the “tail light”. I was curious if a wire from the 3rd brake light run to the wire coming off the board could add voltage to increase the brightness of the LED element n thus cause light to get brighter when applying brakes.

another assumption is could you add a diode to prevent that extravoltage from LEAKING BACK into the circuit board?

maybe even reduce the voltage coming in so you don’t overload the LED?

Here’s the pic.

I’ve read some impressive posts back on the topic of can they use software to detect the battery defects, so I know there’s some smart talent out there.
please help put this baby to rest.

 

[cfhgarza]

You could read the voltage with a meter to see if it's stepped down. Seems like you would just damage the tail light module when you jump it.

 

[EV Engineering]

LED brightness is not controlled by voltage but frequency how fast is turning on and off. You will need custom board with ability to adjust frequency for led .
Led are running at specified voltages if you push it over led design it will burn out board.
Good luck.

 

[jefro]

Thoughts.

These new cars have a network attached component. If you go past the reporting parameters then it can throw a code.

What you want to do is increase the brightness of the brake light correct?

 

[EV Trek 37604]

Thoughts.

These new cars have a network attached component. If you go past the reporting parameters then it can throw a code.

What you want to do is increase the brightness of the brake light correct?

I think he is wanting to turn the tail light of a 22 to function like the tail/brake combo light of the 17-21 Bolt.

 

[CleanSlate221]

I think he is wanting to turn the tail light of a 22 to function like the tail/brake combo light of the 17-21 Bolt.

correct. I envision getting a male/female copy of that connection coming off the board to insert the diode/wire tap into the system. I don't have a meter at the moment but once i do i can measure the voltage and see where we stand. be nice to have someone at chevy that can give some stats on what the LED can handle.

 

[pooge30]

And your warranty will be voided...

 

[MikeyBolt]

Another idea would be to buy two extra bright LEDs and stuff them in the taillight housing (assuming they'd fit) and have those trigger from the lower brake lights. Something tells me you may not be able to run the stock LEDs at double brightness (for long) even if you could figure out the wiring to do it.

Mike

 

[RePo]

The better approach is to add an additional 12v brake light inside the tail lamp and feed power from the center high mount brake light.

Bridging these two separate circuits together is just asking for trouble. You might never find the burned control module when the brake light or taillights no longer operate.

 

[EV Trek 37604]

The better approach is to add an additional 12v brake light inside the tail lamp and feed power from the center high mount brake light.

Bridging these two separate circuits together is just asking for trouble. You might never find the burned control module when the brake light or taillights no longer operate.

Unfortunately I don’t believe these will lend themselves to adding another light in the housing, pretty much a sealed unit, not like the good old days.
Someone send me their tail light and I will see if it’s possible.

 

[shrox]

And your warranty will be voided...

And the OP will have what he wants, the lights as he wants them.

 

[CleanSlate221]

Lets get more electrical here. IF you put a DIODE between the outgoing source off the circuit board and the LED, would that not "prevent" any so called codes from springing up?

Does anyone know anything about an LED element as far as would it not have a certain robustness of safety factor where it can handle more voltage so they tame it down for longevity?

I know people like to post comments about warranty and codes and what ifs. I'm trying to start with the WHAT IS possible if you were motivated to try and made something work?

Again, would love for someone in the GM world that might have access to schematics or an actual assembly to try and find out what makes it tick.

BTW, mounting an external LED and trying to run the wire INSIDE the hatch is pretty limited. There are no holes to pass a wire thru and the one wire bundle that comes out has a very nice rubber boot and sheath around it which would require puncturing the rubber or trying to pass the wire through the sheath. so not ideal. Oh and somewhere i read that to pull the side panels off (the ones that have the post you hand the privacy screen on have to be snapped off and replaced. Seems odd that would make something that can only come off by breaking it.

 

[EV Trek 37604]

Lets get more electrical here. IF you put a DIODE between the outgoing source off the circuit board and the LED, would that not "prevent" any so called codes from springing up?

Does anyone know anything about an LED element as far as would it not have a certain robustness of safety factor where it can handle more voltage so they tame it down for longevity?

I know people like to post comments about warranty and codes and what ifs. I'm trying to start with the WHAT IS possible if you were motivated to try and made something work?

Again, would love for someone in the GM world that might have access to schematics or an actual assembly to try and find out what makes it tick.

BTW, mounting an external LED and trying to run the wire INSIDE the hatch is pretty limited. There are no holes to pass a wire thru and the one wire bundle that comes out has a very nice rubber boot and sheath around it which would require puncturing the rubber or trying to pass the wire through the sheath. so not ideal. Oh and somewhere i read that to pull the side panels off (the ones that have the post you hand the privacy screen on have to be snapped off and replaced. Seems odd that would make something that can only come off by breaking it.

Maybe this will give you your answer.

LED Brightness

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at the forefront of modern illumination for every purpose imaginable, because of their high efficiency, long life, fast switching capabilities, and vibrant color spectrum possibilities.

www.diodedynamics.com

 

[atc98092]

Lets get more electrical here. IF you put a DIODE between the outgoing source off the circuit board and the LED, would that not "prevent" any so called codes from springing up?

Most likely not. The CANBUS signal runs in tandem on the power wires, so the diode would block communications and trigger one or more error messages.

 

[cfhgarza]

Your best bet is probably something like this Badly placed stop lights

 

[EV Engineering]

I would look salvage yards and buy one for reverse engineering. When you tear it down you will have enough information to figure out everything. No codes with be active if you mimic actuall design and improve on your end what you want to accomplish.
From your posts I see you are quite advanced in this territory so some pocket change will have to be burned before you figure out best way to make what you want.

 

[stangbat]

Oh and somewhere i read that to pull the side panels off (the ones that have the post you hand the privacy screen on have to be snapped off and replaced. Seems odd that would make something that can only come off by breaking it.

 

[stangbat]

Regarding the brake light brightness, EV Engineering's explanation is correct. Voltage has very little influence on LED brightness until you get to the extremes. You can test this with a variable power supply, it is surprising how much you can raise and lower the voltage and not see much of a difference in brightness. And to get a large increase in brightness, you will be pushing the LEDs close to their failure point.

The only "easy" way to accomplish this and keep a stock look is to add lights to the existing fake tail lights. You really aren't going to be able to increase the brightness of what is there.

From what I can see, the existing fake tail lights have a ring of LEDs and don't really have a lens like the old tail lights. I was hoping that an LED could be mounted inside and they could be illuminated for braking like the tail lights on pre-2022 models. But I don't think that is possible.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that this isn't going to be easy at all. I'd love to be able to turn the existing fake tail lights into real ones. But it is beyond my abilities from what I've come across.

 

[CleanSlate221]

Regarding the brake light brightness, EV Engineering's explanation is correct. Voltage has very little influence on LED brightness until you get to the extremes. You can test this with a variable power supply, it is surprising how much you can raise and lower the voltage and not see much of a difference in brightness. And to get a large increase in brightness, you will be pushing the LEDs close to their failure point.

The only "easy" way to accomplish this and keep a stock look is to add lights to the existing fake tail lights. You really aren't going to be able to increase the brightness of what is there.

From what I can see, the existing fake tail lights have a ring of LEDs and don't really have a lens like the old tail lights. I was hoping that an LED could be mounted inside and they could be illuminated for braking like the tail lights on pre-2022 models. But I don't think that is possible.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that this isn't going to be easy at all. I'd love to be able to turn the existing fake tail lights into real ones. But it is beyond my abilities from what I've come across.

This does come as kind of a bummer. Sounds like this topic; issue; "mod" may be coming to a rest. BTW, the tail light wires coming off the HARNESS (2 wires) go into a connector which has (4) termination points that pig tail over to a 2nd connector which also has (4) connection points. Perhaps it's left over from the previous gen or maybe they were "thinking" about doing a dual purpose light then did a 180 and abandoned the idea.

What i basically do (requires a lot of paying attention) is when someone approaches from behind, I tap the brakes to give them a REVIEW of what my brake lights LOOK like so it doesn't surprise them last minute. Someone cutting across lanes right up behind you you won't have that chance, but can't win them all.

Thanks for all the advice, suggestions and opinions guys.

 

[EV Engineering]

I will try to see if i have the part....i have converted couple ICE vehicle's with Bolt as organ donor. If i find one i will give it you free.
One interesting project would be to make under vehicle shield for the back side and along the battery pack and on both sides shield where battery meets chassis.
I'm quite positive that this should improve efficiency and squeeze more miles per charge. I also looking for a way to insulate inner fender wells, with some plastic type of carpet, that are used on some vehicles for lowering tire noise and when traveling on gravel road. There are a lot of little things that can be improved.