An Observation on the Taillights

[Luxrage]

TL;DR: Slate's appear to have single bulb red taillight/turn signal combos and I'd like to know if they're really one bulb, asking Slate directly and will post answer, I'd rather have the option for separate turn signals.

I've noticed, looking at the two pictures of the Slate we have seen in motion, that they have been driving it with the headlights fully on. This has let me see the taillights illuminated:

From Tran's post:

From Slate's own video:

It appears the Slate has a single "Bulb" that illuminates the entire taillight assembly. I can't imagine this is a traditional filament-bulb, but I would surmise that this is a combination brake light and turn signal.

This is a little disappointing as I was hoping the slate would have separate dedicated bulbs for the brake lights and turn signals behind a red lens, potentially split in the middle. An example of a vehicle with this setup is my this old pic of my Geo Tracker where I was swapping taillights. Left is the international market Suzuki taillights with with a red and amber lens and right is the NA Market Geo that is just red for both lenses.

The US and Canada don't require ambers in the rear, but it would be nice if we had that option with separate bulbs. I'm sure this goes back to Slate's goal of reducing the amount of wiring in the truck, but proper ambers can also be a safety thing. I'll let the current reigning champ of technical explanations of the mundane over at Technology Connections say it better than I ever could:


I'm sending Slate a message and will post their response.

 

[atreis]

Using a single (no doubt LED) bulb also reduces the cost of the whole tail-light assembly, and in addition to reducing wiring it reduces assembly steps. Given that they're all about keeping costs down and are currently only targeting the NA market, it makes sense to go this route. I also prefer separate ambers, but not enough to make a big deal of it.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Regardless of Slate's reasoning; I hope they are true to their word about being DIY friendly. I look forward to pouring over the circuit diagram of the Slate and see for myself what is possible. After market and 3D printing will change the way people think about "tricking out this truck.

 

[The Weatherman]

In addition they are using a single sku# for both sides. The single taillight is installable on either side. It simply flips over, much like the arm rests on the doors.


Their goal is to keep 'costs' down.

 

[Dorbiman]

I'm curious about the upgraded tail lights that they offer. I assume its a whole LED array rather than a single bulb. If that's the case, I might spring for it if it's priced decently

 

[bartflossom]

Check out his video for the greatest toaster ever made. Impressed me so much I had to find one.

 

[Dorbiman]

Check out his video for the greatest toaster ever made. Impressed me so much I had to find one.

Technology Connections is an awesome channel

 

[bartflossom]

I'm planning on the upgraded led taillights and front turnlights. Curious to see how they work. I'd imagine the front ones will be amber.

 

[Luxrage]

About what I expected. Nice that it's an LED bulb. I assume an off the shelf on a simple socket.

 

[AZFox]

[I recognize that there are LEDs, not filaments, but am using the work filament for lack of a better descriptive word.]

Can the wiring for a two-filament single-bulb light be used for a three-filament, multi-bulb set of two or three lights?

If so, could someone make a drop-in replacement for the taillight with amber turn indicators.

The brake light would still flash and not remain constant, I suppose.

 

[Luxrage]

I did some digging around from other owners forums. A lot of the Euro and JDM people like to convert theirs over to those styles and I was curious what they did. That and people designing custom beds for pickups.

Not that this is anywhere in Slate's roadmap but that would be one more step towards Slate's being European road ready.

In a perfect world I'd like a Slate to have the taillights split with ambers on top and brakes on the bottom. But now you're got two different lenses, 2X the bulbs, and two more sets of wires, so I can't blame 'em for keeping it simple.