Reverse Light Bulbs
04-26-2003, 05:15 PM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Reverse Light Bulbs
I'm about to do the Testors/DupliColor transparent red paint job to my rear lenses. I have decided to paint the reverse lens all red so have been thinking about getting a better bulb back there so I can see at night and not back into some car parallel parking. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
So I started looking into this. The stock reverse bulb is a normal 21 watt incandescent that outputs 400 lumens of light. I'm looking at trying out some specialty halogens that will plug right into the stock bulb socket. One is 35 watt that outputs 750 lumens and the other is 50 watt that puts out 1350 lumens (a normal halogen headlight bulb is 1000 lumens for a point of reference).
I'm going to get a sample of each from my bulb supplier to test to see how those wires back in the tail light hold up to a bigger current draw and how hot the bulbs burn in typical reversing operations. My first guess is 35 watt is probably the way to go.
From the heat standpoint we will be cut some slack by intermittent use; not being constantly on. But if one were to shift into reverse and sit there for 15 minutes it could be a problem with the plastic melting.
Depending on the tests these may even work for brake lights, but heat may become a problem if you were in stop and go city traffic. However, the bulbs would work great for the underhood light where the bulb is bare and in a metal socket. And would obviously work great for those that haven't colored the reverse lens.
I checked with a bulb retailer and found the bulbs cost $15.95 each. If I can get 10 or 20 people together for a 50 bulb order, I'm sure I can get that down to $7 from my headlight bulb guy. Shipping and packing supplies should only be about $3.50 no matter how many you order or where they get shipped.
If you are interested, let me know here.
So I started looking into this. The stock reverse bulb is a normal 21 watt incandescent that outputs 400 lumens of light. I'm looking at trying out some specialty halogens that will plug right into the stock bulb socket. One is 35 watt that outputs 750 lumens and the other is 50 watt that puts out 1350 lumens (a normal halogen headlight bulb is 1000 lumens for a point of reference).
I'm going to get a sample of each from my bulb supplier to test to see how those wires back in the tail light hold up to a bigger current draw and how hot the bulbs burn in typical reversing operations. My first guess is 35 watt is probably the way to go.
From the heat standpoint we will be cut some slack by intermittent use; not being constantly on. But if one were to shift into reverse and sit there for 15 minutes it could be a problem with the plastic melting.
Depending on the tests these may even work for brake lights, but heat may become a problem if you were in stop and go city traffic. However, the bulbs would work great for the underhood light where the bulb is bare and in a metal socket. And would obviously work great for those that haven't colored the reverse lens.
I checked with a bulb retailer and found the bulbs cost $15.95 each. If I can get 10 or 20 people together for a 50 bulb order, I'm sure I can get that down to $7 from my headlight bulb guy. Shipping and packing supplies should only be about $3.50 no matter how many you order or where they get shipped.
If you are interested, let me know here.
04-26-2003, 10:51 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
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I've been thinking about this too. I would like a bulb that you could leave on indefinitely though incase I leave it in reverse with the car off and lights on or something like that. As we all know melting lenses is baddd mmmkay.
I don't know if you have considered it but aren't there some LED replacements for light bulbs where the use several LEDs in place of one filament. There would be no issues with heat or current draw. Also they would be more energy efficient.
Of course sourcing out proper LED packed bulbs could be difficult and cost prohibitive. If not it seems to be the perfect solution.
I don't know if you have considered it but aren't there some LED replacements for light bulbs where the use several LEDs in place of one filament. There would be no issues with heat or current draw. Also they would be more energy efficient.
Of course sourcing out proper LED packed bulbs could be difficult and cost prohibitive. If not it seems to be the perfect solution.
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04-27-2003, 02:03 AM
#11
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
OK, looks like we are getting enough interest. For you Down Under guys in OZ and NZ, it may cost $4.50 USD for shipping rather than $3.50. Seems Postal Rates just changed. Maybe SARS? Everyone wants to use that as an excuse. But I said $3.50 so you two get that, just tell your mates that it is $4.50 USD from here on out. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
In any event, I'll keep costs close to the bone.
If you have taken a look at your normal incandescent signal bulbs, lay them on top of a white sheet of paper. The tungsten has probablly coated all the important glass envelope surface and you will see blackening. I've talked about this before.
I'm going to order some of the 1156 and 97 bulbs. We can get those fairly cheap from good manufacturers. For example, probably about one $ buck from a good manufacturer and $0.26 from Taiwan. You choose.
May as well do everything in there as it is so cheap, but important.
Regards, Ice
In any event, I'll keep costs close to the bone.
If you have taken a look at your normal incandescent signal bulbs, lay them on top of a white sheet of paper. The tungsten has probablly coated all the important glass envelope surface and you will see blackening. I've talked about this before.
I'm going to order some of the 1156 and 97 bulbs. We can get those fairly cheap from good manufacturers. For example, probably about one $ buck from a good manufacturer and $0.26 from Taiwan. You choose.
May as well do everything in there as it is so cheap, but important.
Regards, Ice
04-27-2003, 02:22 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by johne:
<strong>
I don't know if you have considered it but aren't there some LED replacements for light bulbs where the use several LEDs in place of one filament. There would be no issues with heat or current draw. Also they would be more energy efficient.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">How about something like this:
<a href="http://www.myroadster.net/led.asp" target="_blank">1156 Red, Single Intensity, Hyper-Bright 15 LED Bulb</a>
They're available in Amber and Red only, but it says that it is recommended that you match the bulb color with the lens color, so for all red rear lights the red one would work fine.
<strong>
I don't know if you have considered it but aren't there some LED replacements for light bulbs where the use several LEDs in place of one filament. There would be no issues with heat or current draw. Also they would be more energy efficient.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">How about something like this:
<a href="http://www.myroadster.net/led.asp" target="_blank">1156 Red, Single Intensity, Hyper-Bright 15 LED Bulb</a>
They're available in Amber and Red only, but it says that it is recommended that you match the bulb color with the lens color, so for all red rear lights the red one would work fine.
04-27-2003, 02:39 AM
#13
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Jason, I don't want to get into an argument on LED vs halogen. Especialy since you are a customer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> LEDs will not do the trick through the old plastic. I have many sitting around here that I tested. And from the same manufacturer as your cited link.
LEDs just don't cut the mustard yet when you are trying to go whole hog. And then we get to cost. For quality LEDs you nearly need to sell a kidney to pay for them.
Regards.
LEDs just don't cut the mustard yet when you are trying to go whole hog. And then we get to cost. For quality LEDs you nearly need to sell a kidney to pay for them.
Regards.
