Page 1 of 1
Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:54 pm
by 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]
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 4:32 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 4:59 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:35 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:01 pm
by 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
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:07 pm
by alexmcguffie
I'm designing an LED conversion PCB for those as we speak

Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:18 pm
by 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 ...
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 7:31 am
by alexmcguffie
If you're still struggling, use a bit of washing up liquid to lube it up.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:28 pm
by taupe
Noooooo
Use some waxoyle or vaseline.. washing up liquid is full of SALT!!!
Taupe
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 4:22 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:37 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:21 pm
by 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
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:03 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:21 pm
by alexmcguffie
I'll be fitting these as an additional set to my 2 door when its back on the road.[frame]

[/frame]
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:24 pm
by panky
That looks rather wonderful

Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:25 pm
by alexmcguffie
Thank you, home made/designed. Can be used as indicator, side light or side + brake hopefully.....
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:12 pm
by Chipper
Any chance of a video clip showing them in operation?
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:14 pm
by 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?
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:38 pm
by 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.
Re: Traveller rear lamp rubber flanges
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:23 pm
by bmcecosse
Hmm - I'm not sure 'white' LEDs work too well with red lenses - tend to give a 'pink' effect.