Reversing light type & switch

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:46 pm

Now the dark wet days are here, I'm getting interested in reversing lights! I've made a neat little plate to mount a microswitch on the lever mounting plate, (similar to one seen in another post which I can't find now!). Not over keen on mounting a lamp under the bumper, as its likely to get knocked. Has anyone tried mounting the clear front indicator lamps on the traveller rear door pillars? Would they put out a sufficient beam of light? Any other "bright" ideas?

Sorry its blurry- don't seem to have a close up position on the old "finepix". Might be one if I could bother to read the book! The gooey bit is araldite to insulate & provide some strain relief.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:59 pm

It looks better than the previous version I saw on here as long as it works.
A picture of it in situ would be nice.
If you have the picture of a flower selected on your Finepix that's the close up setting.
How about magnets from an old hard drive to attach the lights? They are very powerful.
Indicator lights should be 21 watt which is normal for reversing lights.

Post by **WPR678B** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:06 pm

And you MUST use a relay and not run the load straight through the switch or it will weld itself on!

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:35 pm

Even grottier picture in-situ, but gives the idea. No flower symbol on camera (bit of an antique)!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:47 pm

Unless you get it just right - it will flick on everytime you go into 4th gear! Why not just mount a switch on the gear lever - up near the knob - and switch them on when you need them! Warning light required of course if you do that.
For me - reversing lights are waste of time - they aren't allowed to be bright enough to be any good. I used to have a 55watt spot as my reverse light for rallies - kept it covered on the highway (of course!) to keep it legal.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:17 pm

Got it just right!! Bit of jjjjjiggling and mounting the switch so it gets a glancing blow did it. One of the big problems nowadays is people expect reverse lights, eg if you stop to reverse into a space on the roadside, or even supermarket (if you have such things!) someone will pull up right behind you if you don't have reverse light(s). Much more interested in whether its thought the clear front indicators would put out a suitable beam, flat or beehive?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:21 pm

The 'beam' will be useless for actually seeing with - but will I suppose fend off your tail-gaters in the supermarket!

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:29 pm

I know a certain specialist who's fitted them - and if you live in the countryside at least, 21w is very helpful for reversing - the brake lights do a fine job for it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:33 pm

Of course - the limit is for 21 watts - and halogen bulbs are I believe available at 21 watt - and the light out-put in the bee-hive lamps can be improved quite considerably if a decent reflective surface is fitted just behind the bulb!
Still hard to beat a 55 watt halogen for fending off tailgaters, sorry - I mean reversing up a wrong slot on a rally special stage !

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:10 pm

bigginger wrote:I know a certain specialist who's fitted them - and if you live in the countryside at least, 21w is very helpful for reversing - the brake lights do a fine job for it.

Well pointed out, that man! I had overlooked the obvious- you can actually see a bit with the brake lights, so clear lenses should therefore be a bit better still. Not looking for mega power, just a little help. And I thought they would sort of be in keeping with the rest of the lights.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:16 pm

You could of course simply wire the switch to the brake lights (or the indicators via a 2 pole relay) if happy to 'see' backwards with red or orange (or BOTH) light! But then you won't have the 'fending off' effect you are after.

Post by **Luxobarge** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:24 pm

How about modifying the Morris light fitting to accommodate some very bright LED lights? Low current consumption and powerful ones are pretty cheap now I hear....

Just a thought!

Post by **simmitc** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:32 pm

I fitted clear domes for reversing ligths on both Travellers many years ago; but instead of using standard indicator type bases which would mean drilling the wooden piller right through (and weakening it as it gets thinner higher up) I used surface mount units available from many auto electrical suppliers. They take a festoon lamp, 5w by default, but you can adapt then to take 18w or 21w, but these are a very tight fit. They're a great help, and in keeping with the rest of the car.

By using a manual switch you can also use them as work lamps

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:36 pm

simmitc wrote:I fitted clear domes for reversing ligths on both Travellers many years ago; but instead of using standard indicator type bases which would mean drilling the wooden piller right through (and weakening it as it gets thinner higher up) I used surface mount units available from many auto electrical suppliers. They take a festoon lamp, 5w by default, but you can adapt then to take 18w or 21w, but these are a very tight fit. They're a great help, and in keeping with the rest of the car.By using a manual switch you can also use them as work lamps

Excellent!! Just the sort of answer I was angling for! Jolly good idea re: weakening of the frame- one side has already got woodworm in it (dead, now).

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:42 pm

I have mounted my rear fog and reversing lights tight up under the rear bumper, actually bolted to the towbar and they have avoided being damaged so far. I have just used an accessory light switch with a built in warning light, fed from the side light switch output so it doesn't get left on. Actually you get a fair amount of light just from the indicators.

Post by **croft** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:48 pm

I have a Mr Grumpy!! reversing light kit! looks like a bit of a bodge! (piece of wood a few screws and a micro switch) but looks as though it will work (possibly!!) Has anyone an experience of this kit? Could try and put a photo of it on here if anyone is interested. Not supplied with any light tho!

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:52 pm

croft wrote:I have a Mr Grumpy!! reversing light kit! looks like a bit of a bodge! (piece of wood a few screws and a micro switch) but looks as though it will work (possibly!!) Has anyone an experience of this kit? Could try and put a photo of it on here if anyone is interested. Not supplied with any light tho!

At least my "bodge" uses real metal! If the grumpy job fits anything like in the same way then the problem may be getting the gearlever boot to fit over it. Mine only just fits in the profile of the boot, theres no way to get a lower profile- the steel mount is 2mm thick to give enough bite for the self tap switch screws. Adjustment by bending lever coupled with swinging the whole lot on its one bolt fixing. Off now to look for some clear indicator lamps

Post by **Declan_Burns** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:39 am

See the August/September 2008 issue of Minor Matters. I wote an article on how to fit such a switch. If anybody want it send me a mail
Declan
declan_burns@web.de

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:07 pm

That looks pretty neat. I did something similar on my Series Land Rover using a courtesy light switch, but it was in a more exposed location and the contacts kept corroding and failing to operate.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:06 pm

[quote="Declan_Burns"]See the August/September 2008 issue of Minor Matters. I wote an article on how to fit such a switch. If anybody want it send me a mail Declan quote]
Thats where I saw it!! I spent ages looking for it in the posts on here! Dohhh!