Lebro Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Having tried various LED replacement bulbs in the tail lamps of my '3 and found that none of them gave as good a light as the original bulbs, I have just been playing with another alternative - Halogen. The problem with the LED's was that none of them presented the light source in the right place. On a SS car, the lamp covers have a moulded in circular lens which is directly behind the filaments of a standard stop/tail bulb (6/21W) The halogen bulbs I have been playing with are 6/35W, so a fair bit brighter, unfortunately, as purchased they also put the fillament in the wrong place - too high. Not to be beaten, I modified them by extending the metal part, using a section cut off an old (blown) stop/tail bulb. This, when inserted, now places the fillaments in the correct place, with the following results: The Halogen bulbs are on the left side, the central brake lamp is an LED type, showing white only for number plate, & bright red for stop. The right hand side is normal bulb. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Hi Bob, Liking your thoughts but uncertain about the potential heat from a Halogen bulb. Rod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Rod. The only part which is actually on for any length of time is the tail lamp filament, which is only 1 watt higher than the standard 5W. The stop /flasher filament is only on for a short time. (unless of course you are in the habit of sitting in traffic with the foot brake on !) Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Trouble is you may get fed up with making these. Be OK if they last ages. But they may not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Alan. Did not take that long - about 20 mins each I guess. have you got fed up with modding angle drives yet !!!! Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 You did a nice solder job. But this is fiddly stuff. And you burn your fingers. And then there will be bulbs that are some unsolderable metal. I reckon I'd machine an adaptor. Because this is a nice "non-invasive" improvement Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3739 Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Alan. Did not take that long - about 20 mins each I guess. have you got fed up with modding angle drives yet !!!! Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billg Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Sounds like a wee job for someone who can handle a 3 D printer? Bill G@ NB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 I don't thik a consumer 3D printer would do it Bill, the material is thermo plastic and would just melt again at bulb temperature. Bob - where did you buy the halogen bulbs? I can't find them on a web search. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Paul Goffs bike & bulbs website Modern Lighting for Older Vehicles http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffybulbs.htm Scroll down to "Quartz Halogen Stop/tail lamp bulbs" Pt.no. 12V B535BAY15QH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Great, thanks Bob. I think I'll give it a try. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 That is a great new picture Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Has anyone used the Moss offering? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks Richard. IanC - BTW 4 VC is just visible in the background far right Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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