{"id":3395,"date":"2026-09-23T08:43:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T00:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/?p=3395"},"modified":"2026-09-23T08:43:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T00:43:25","slug":"what-are-the-customization-options-for-3806-side-view-led-434d-d6f59d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/23\/what-are-the-customization-options-for-3806-side-view-led-434d-d6f59d\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the customization options for 3806 Side View LED?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As a supplier of 3806 side view LEDs, I\u2019ve spent years helping clients across automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial lighting get exactly the lighting solution their projects need\u2014and the 3806 package\u2019s combination of compact size, high efficiency, and consistent performance makes it one of the most versatile chips we offer. A lot of first-time buyers reach out assuming this LED only comes in a one-size-fits-all form, but that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Today I\u2019m breaking down all the customization options for the 3806 side view LED, what each option actually means for your application, and how we work with clients to avoid common missteps when modifying these parts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/smd-led\/3806-side-view-led\/\">3806 Side View LED<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/uploads\/201816197\/small\/yellow-green-0603-led48289460641.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>First, let\u2019s recap what makes the 3806 side view LED unique, because that context is key to understanding why its customization options are so valuable. The \u201c3806\u201d refers to its physical dimensions: 3.8mm long, 0.6mm thick, with a side-emitting light path\u2014meaning light projects at a roughly 120-degree horizontal angle, instead of straight out the top like a standard top-view LED. That side view design is why it\u2019s perfect for areas where you don\u2019t want to mount a bulkier component: think of the thin, strip lighting that runs along the door sills of a car, the status bar lights on a smartwatch, or the edge-lit backlighting for a control panel. Stock 3806s work for general use, but customization lets you tailor them to fit space constraints, meet regulatory rules, or pull off a specific aesthetic that makes your product stand out.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with the most common and impactful customization: binning and color tuning. Binning is the process of grouping LEDs by consistent light output, color temperature, and forward voltage\u2014something stock LEDs only do to a rough degree, which can lead to mismatched lighting in a product. For 3806 side view LEDs, we offer full binning across every color family: warm white (2700K to 3000K), neutral white (4000K to 5000K), cool white (5700K to 6500K), and every standard saturated and pastel color (red, green, blue, amber, pink, even subtle lavender).<\/p>\n<p>But tuning doesn\u2019t stop at color temperature. We can adjust the dominant wavelength for solid colors: for example, a client making car turn signal lights might want a precise 620nm red instead of a generic 615nm, because that wavelength is more visible in daylight and meets FMVSS 108 safety standards. For white 3806s, we can tweak the CRI (Color Rendering Index) too: stock 3806s usually hit a CRI of 70 or 80, but we can offer CRI 90 or CRI 95 for applications where color accuracy matters\u2014like medical device displays, or high-end commercial lighting where products need to show true colors (think cabinet under-lighting in a high-end kitchen). A word of advice here: don\u2019t overbin if you don\u2019t need it. Every extra tier of tight binning adds cost, so we always ask clients to share their product\u2019s tolerance range first to avoid paying for something they won\u2019t notice.<\/p>\n<p>Next up: output and power customization. The stock 3806 side view LED is rated for a typical forward current of 20mA, with a lumen output of around 2 to 4 lumens for white models. But we can adjust that power rating up or down depending on your needs. If you\u2019re making a thin, battery-powered wearable like a fitness tracker that only needs a soft status light, we can under-drive the 3806 to 10mA, cutting power use by half without making the light dim enough to be unnoticeable\u2014critical for extending battery life. On the flip side, if you\u2019re making a car daytime running light that needs to be bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight, we can adjust the chip\u2019s semiconductor layer to handle up to 50mA of forward current, boosting output to 10 lumens, with built-in thermal resistance to prevent overheating in enclosed spaces. We also work with clients to adjust forward voltage (Vf) to match their circuit designs: stock 3806s have a Vf of 2.8V for white, but we can tune that to 2.5V or 3.2V to align with existing resistors in their PCB layout, eliminating the need for extra components and cutting assembly time.<\/p>\n<p>Physical form factor customization is another big one for the 3806 side view LED, since its thin profile is one of its main selling points. The stock 3806 has a standard lead frame with a flat base, but we can modify the shape to fit even tighter spaces. For example, some clients make ultra-thin door sill lights for compact cars, where the space between the door panel and the chassis is less than 0.5mm\u2014too small for a standard 0.6mm thick LED. We can thin the lead frame to 0.4mm, maintaining all electrical performance while shaving 0.2mm off the thickness. We can also adjust the length: standard is 3.8mm, but we\u2019ve cut it to 3.2mm for clients making side marker lights for electric scooters, where every millimeter saved matters for aerodynamics and weight.<\/p>\n<p>If you need a custom lens, we\u2019ve got you covered too. The stock lens on a 3806 side view LED is a standard 120-degree wide angle, which works for most strip lighting, but some applications need a narrower or wider beam. For example, a client making backlighting for a small LCD screen might want a 60-degree beam to focus light directly on the display without spilling into unused areas, reducing glare. On the other end, a landscape lighting fixture that runs along a walkway might need a 150-degree beam to light a wider path, so we can mold the lens to spread light further. We also offer anti-glare coatings for 3806s used in car interior lights, which prevents the bright LED from reflecting off the windshield or touchscreens\u2014 a common complaint in entry-level cars that clients often come to us to fix. One thing to note: lens customization can affect light output, so we run simulations for each client to make sure the adjusted beam angle doesn\u2019t dim the light to below their required threshold.<\/p>\n<p>Thermal management customization is something many buyers overlook, but it\u2019s critical for 3806 side view LEDs that are driven at higher currents or used in enclosed spaces. The stock 3806 has a small thermal pad on the bottom that connects to the PCB, but we can expand that pad by 20% or 30% for clients making high-power 3806 strips that run continuously. The extra pad lets heat dissipate faster, preventing the LED from overheating and shortening its lifespan. For applications where the LED is mounted on a flexible PCB (like wearables or foldable electronics), we can use a flexible thermal interface material in the lead frame that bends without cracking, which is a game-changer for products that get folded or stretched during use. We also offer conformal coating options: a thin, protective layer that seals the LED from dust, moisture, and even minor impacts, perfect for outdoor lighting or industrial equipment that\u2019s used in harsh environments.<\/p>\n<p>Color and optical enhancement is another area we offer, especially for clients who want their product to stand out. For example, if you\u2019re making LED strips that glow RGB, we can adjust the color mixing ratio of red, green, and blue 3806 chips to create custom shades that aren\u2019t standard. A restaurant client might want a deep, rich blue for their bar area, instead of the standard RGB blue that\u2019s slightly too bright or cool. We can also add phosphor coatings to white 3806s to create unique color tints, like a soft warm white that\u2019s almost a subtle peach, popular for luxury hotel lobby lighting. For clients making specialty signage, we can adjust the light\u2019s uniformity, so every inch of the side-lit sign glows evenly without dark spots\u2014something that\u2019s hard to achieve with stock 3806s.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about a few common pitfalls we help clients avoid when customizing 3806 side view LEDs. First, there\u2019s a trade-off between custom binning and production yield. If you order a very tight bin of 1000K bin for white LEDs, the number of LEDs that pass our quality checks goes down, so the per-unit cost is higher, and lead times might be longer. We always give clients a clear breakdown of cost vs. performance, so they can decide if the tighter bin is worth it for their product. Second, don\u2019t assume physical modifications don\u2019t affect electrical performance. Thinning the LED\u2019s lead frame, for example, can slightly change its resistance, so we test every modified batch to make sure forward voltage and lumen output stay within the required specs. Third, always share your end-use environment. If your product is going to be used in -40\u00b0F or 120\u00b0F temperatures, we can adjust the semiconductor material to handle extreme temps, which stock LEDs often can\u2019t. We had a client making agricultural equipment lighting last year who came to us with a stock 3806 that failed in their testing\u2014when we adjusted the thermal pad and used a high-temperature epoxy, the LEDs lasted 5x longer than the stock parts.<\/p>\n<p>Now, why work with us as your 3806 side view LED supplier instead of a generic manufacturer? We don\u2019t just sell off-the-shelf parts\u2014we work with you from the prototype stage through full production. For example, if you\u2019re a startup designing a new smartwatch, we can send you sample 3806s with adjusted thickness and color tuning for your prototype, so you can test how the light looks before committing to a full order. We also offer low MOQs (minimum order quantities) for prototype runs, so you don\u2019t have to order 10,000 parts to test your design. For full production, we can integrate the customizations directly into our assembly line, so you don\u2019t have to do extra steps at your own factory, reducing assembly time and labor costs. Our quality control team tests every custom batch for lumen maintenance, color consistency, and thermal performance, so you don\u2019t get unexpected failures in the field.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/uploads\/201816197\/small\/green-2835-smd-led-module21335383928.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, the 3806 side view LED is incredibly versatile, but its true value comes from being able to customize it to your specific project needs\u2014whether that\u2019s fitting a tiny space, meeting a safety standard, or creating a unique lighting effect that makes your product stand out. If you\u2019ve got a project where off-the-shelf 3806s aren\u2019t quite right, or you want to learn more about how customization can improve your product, we\u2019re here to help. We work with clients across automotive, consumer electronics, industrial lighting, and specialty signage, and we can tailor a solution to fit your budget and timeline. Reach out to our team now to discuss your 3806 side view LED requirements, and let\u2019s build a lighting solution that works exactly for you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/smd-led\/smd-lighting-led\/\">SMD Lighting LED<\/a> References<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>&quot;LED Packaging: Side-Emitting LED Technology and Applications.&quot; Lighting Research &amp; Technology, vol. 52, no. 2, 2020, pp. 189-207.<\/li>\n<li>International Electrotechnical Commission. &quot;IEC 60065: Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus \u2013 Safety Requirements.&quot; IEC, 2019.<\/li>\n<li>&quot;Thermal Management for High-Power LEDs in Compact Enclosures.&quot; Journal of Electronic Materials, vol. 48, no. 10, 2019, pp. 6421-6430.<\/li>\n<li>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. &quot;Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108: Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.&quot; NHTSA, 2021.<\/li>\n<li>&quot;Color Rendering Index (CRI) for LED Lighting: Fundamentals and Applications.&quot; Journal of Light &amp; Visual Environment, vol. 43, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1-10.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/\">Dongguan Zhiding Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Address: No. 8, Xiaqiao Yinling Industry Zone, Dongcheng Dist., Dongguan, Guangdong, China<br \/>E-mail: sales@zhidingled.com<br \/>WebSite: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/\">https:\/\/www.allightled.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a supplier of 3806 side view LEDs, I\u2019ve spent years helping clients across automotive, consumer &hellip; <a title=\"What are the customization options for 3806 Side View LED?\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/23\/what-are-the-customization-options-for-3806-side-view-led-434d-d6f59d\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What are the customization options for 3806 Side View LED?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":3395,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3358],"class_list":["post-3395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-3806-side-view-led-42c5-d7373b"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nawabbrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}