Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges

[Late Roman]

Am I being dumb or can anyone help me with a tip as to how to get the plated finishing rims to fit into the rubber flanges on the rear lamps of a Traveller? The lens covers go into the inner flanges OK but it seems virtually impossible to get the finishing rims into the outer flanges. I've tried warming the rubber to make it more flexible but to no avail. Would greatly appreciate some advice. Thanks.[frame][/frame]

[Chipper]

I usually insert the chrome ring in as far as it will go, and use a small flat-bladed screwdriver to gently ease the remaining rubber lip over it, working it around while you apply pressure on the chrome ring.

Mind you, mine are the original 43 year old items, and the rubber is pretty soft.

[mike.perry]

They can be fiddly but perseverance with a small scewdriver blade and The Oxford English Dictionary of Swear Words will get you there eventually.

[bmcecosse]

You have the wrong lamp lens there - they should be GLASS bee-hive shape... The chrome ring may fit more easily with the correct lens fitted. I certainly don't have any problems with mine - and yes - a small 'blunt' screwdriver helps.

[mike.perry]

The lens are the same size, they both fitted on my lamps, the plastic lens was I think a Mini item.
Early Traveller lights were recessed into the rubber and had flat glass lenses, the later lights projected from the rubber and had the glass beehive lens.
I just put that in case anyone asked

[alexmcguffie]

I'm designing an LED conversion PCB for those as we speak

[Late Roman]

Thank you for all of this. I will keep going with the flat-bladed screwdriver but a good dictionary becomes the latest Must Have in my tool kit. Come to think of it, Christmas is coming and the kids say they never know what to get me ...

[alexmcguffie]

If you're still struggling, use a bit of washing up liquid to lube it up.

[taupe]

Noooooo

Use some waxoyle or vaseline.. washing up liquid is full of SALT!!!

Taupe

[alexmcguffie]

I never knew that. Learn something every day

Ideally, I'd use this stuff:

http://uk.farnell.com/hellermann-tyton/ ... /dp/101619

as I have it available at work and it dries after a while so the lens wouldn't pop out.

[whyperion]

The glass lenses look better ( ps could the flat lenses be used if wanted ? ) . Of course the lense slipping out of hand, .. oops plastic one needed as 80 bits on the concrete floor would not glue back together again.

[mike.perry]

If you think that you are going to drop the glass, put a car mat down first
The flat glass lens will only fit the early recessed light unit, the beehive lens will fit both

[bmcecosse]

As above -flat lenses were for the early Travs - later models use a holder that pushes the bulb further out (better light) and only the beehive will fit. And yes they do look MUCH better. Top tip is to make a little collar of 'chrome' plastic material (packaging for some foodstuffs...) and fit it around the bulb base - it greatly increases the light intensity.

[alexmcguffie]

I'll be fitting these as an additional set to my 2 door when its back on the road.[frame][/frame]

[panky]

That looks rather wonderful

[alexmcguffie]

Thank you, home made/designed. Can be used as indicator, side light or side + brake hopefully.....

[Chipper]

Any chance of a video clip showing them in operation?

[bmcecosse]

Looking good ! I'm sure you know you will need an electronic flasher unit - not the good old bi-metal can we all know and love.... For rear marker/brake - are the LEDs red?

[alexmcguffie]

I'll try to get a video but anything high contrast doesn't show up too well. Liht/dark/light/dark never works well on video, not as a comparison to a filament bulb! All the LEDs are white so any colour lens can be used.

[bmcecosse]

Hmm - I'm not sure 'white' LEDs work too well with red lenses - tend to give a 'pink' effect.