mark powell Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 I reverse park on our driveway and now that I often return after dark, I find that the reverse lights are next to useless... Would super bright (not for road use) LEDs be the answer? The existing bulbs are standard 12v 21w 382. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 A 21W bulb puts out quite a lot of light! Consider that you might need to clean the lenses or reflectors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 45 minutes ago, mark powell said: I reverse park on our driveway and now that I often return after dark, I find that the reverse lights are next to useless... Would super bright (not for road use) LEDs be the answer? The existing bulbs are standard 12v 21w 382. They would be the answer Mark more so if there is no other light. My modern has led lights and i live rural, what a difference they make. I don't have any problems now. https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk These are the best to buy from. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 I'd be more than happy if my modern put out 21W of incandescent light from the reversing light. But they only work at all once in a blue moon. Mind you, my Vitesse has a period Lucas spot as a reversing light. You can definitely see where you're going with that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Thanks for all your replies. Lenses and reflectors are ok, it's just that I have to reverse into a really awkward space with light pollution from a neighbours security light. I have spoken to classic car leds and at their advice have ordered a pair of extra bright led's. I will let you know the result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 19 hours ago, mark powell said: I reverse park on our driveway and now that I often return after dark, I find that the reverse lights are next to useless... Would super bright (not for road use) LEDs be the answer? The existing bulbs are standard 12v 21w 382. Can you fit a couple of rear-roof mounted spots? Just plug in to the 12v power supply on the dash when needed. Also helps with loading / unloading in the dark too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said: Can you fit a couple of rear-roof mounted spots? Just plug in to the 12v power supply on the dash when needed. Also helps with loading / unloading in the dark too. I was just thinking the same Colin as a Yodel van has just been and that had two small led spots one on each corner of the roof. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Originally I fitted kitchen filament down lighters into the clusters on my TR4A. I then changed them to LED ad they give out plenty of light. Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Roger : that looks very neat 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 I thought about extra lights to the back, but it's long wheel base and the main part is converted to horsebox and would mean disturbing the conversion to hide the wiring. If the LED's don't work, I will look at tapping into the existing reverse light loom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 4 hours ago, RogerH said: Originally I fitted kitchen filament down lighters into the clusters on my TR4A. I then changed them to LED ad they give out plenty of light. Roger Can I ask how you sealed them? as the one`s I have (in a Motorhome) are are not i-p rated at all?. Something along those lines would fit under the "fin" on the rear of a Herald. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 18 minutes ago, PeteH said: fit under the "fin" on the rear of a Herald. Like the TR4 on a herald/vitesse thats the reflector a legal requirement 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 10 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: Like the TR4 on a herald/vitesse thats the reflector a legal requirement Yes, I stand corrected, By the time you cut a hole in it there would be no "reflector" left!. Sadly, unlike the TR4, where there appears to have most of it "surviving". I was more concerned with how water ingress had been prevented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 37 minutes ago, PeteH said: Can I ask how you sealed them? as the one`s I have (in a Motorhome) are are not i-p rated at all?. Pete They have a thin film of silcone sealant where the bulb fits to the red reflector.. The inner face of the reflector has been machined to remove the dimples to allow the bulb to sit flat. The metal ring is is a simple bezel that I spun up on the lathe. 20 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: Like the TR4 on a herald/vitesse that's the reflector a legal requirement The requirement is for 30 or 50% (can;t remember which) to be functional. The lights on the TR4A (MR11 size) take up a lot less than that requirement. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 5 minutes ago, PeteH said: Yes, I stand corrected, By the time you cut a hole in it there would be no "reflector" left!. Sadly, unlike the TR4, where there appears to have most of it "surviving". I was more concerned with how water ingress had been prevented. You need to measure the reflector and find a bulb to suit. work on 50% https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 Neat looking job👍, anyhow. I suspect in the Herald, by the time you find a suitable (legal) size of high intensity light fitting. It will be of limited use as a reversing light?. So, I reckon, stick to the "old" way of attaching one to the rear vallance?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 50 minutes ago, PeteH said: So, I reckon, stick to the "old" way of attaching one to the rear vallance?. No, this is the way to do it: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 17 minutes ago, NonMember said: No, this is the way to do it: Off a range of Vanden Plas vehicles Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 there used to be some rule about 21watt was max rearward bulb spec. on the boot lid i just used a pair of lucas flush mounts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 8 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: there used to be some rule about 21watt was max rearward bulb spec. on the boot lid i just used a pair of lucas flush mounts Modern LED look alikes would probably be available?. eg; https://www.wish.com/product/5def4955f354030405d39bd7?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=GB&_force_currency_code=GBP&pid=googleadwords_int&c={campaignId}&ad_cid=5def4955f354030405d39bd7&ad_cc=GB&ad_curr=GBP&ad_price=27.00&campaign_id=6493229882&exclude_install=true&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6fOyjfXW7QIViLPtCh3yRAQkEAQYAiABEgKU7fD_BwE&share=web Or similar?. prehaps with a chrome finish? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 A couple of 21W LED bulbs would be rather bright! If the new "extra bright" you have coming are not enough you should be able to get a pair of small driving lamps or better worklights with 20W LEDS fitted. A 10W led floodlight illuminates my garden pretty well... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 To be fair, I seriously doubt that in my case the car will ever be used at night except maybe coming back from the Pub "Classic Night" late. (Obviously having not imbibed, of course)😇. And at the (current) rate of progress, that could be some years away!. But, of course a BIG Bright light to the rear is an indication to others that you are intending to reverse even in full daylight, and with to-days quality of driving cannot be any bad thing!. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 2 hours ago, PeteH said: But, of course a BIG Bright light to the rear is an indication to others that you are intending to reverse even in full daylight, and with to-days quality of driving cannot be any bad thing!. Pete And if the car behind you refuses to dip his headlights, you can flick a switch and blind him back.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted December 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 LED's arrived this morning (1st class service by Classic Car LED's!). Fitted and the difference, even in daylight, is substantial. I'll be checking them out after dark... Tempting now to replace all the rear bulbs with LED's. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 1 hour ago, mark powell said: LED's arrived this morning (1st class service by Classic Car LED's!). Fitted and the difference, even in daylight, is substantial. I'll be checking them out after dark... Tempting now to replace all the rear bulbs with LED's. They do make one hell of a difference Mark, i didn't realise how much until i got my car. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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