Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hello. My brake lights are not very bright. They have the bayonet fitting P21 / 5W bulbs in them. Is there a different bulb that I can install that will make them brighter or am I stuck with what I have got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue ass fly Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Are they standard old trailer lights or the more modern round ones The trailer ones are pretty poor,most upgrade to the more modern pods with round lights You could always fit a high level led brake light to the roll bar - they do ones that strobe before lighting constant , they really get you noticed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 ...or get some LED lamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Afternoon Men. They are the trailer type lights. I will look into both options regarding the pods and LED bulbs. Thanks for the great advice. I like the sound of the bulbs though to begin with as its cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Definitely fit a high level brake light http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/category/high-level-brake-light/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue ass fly Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Sometime just fitting new lenses help as the old ones get really mucky if theyre old Could use it as an excuse to get some clear csr ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveD Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 press harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Press harder..... You should see the blister under my foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TableLeg Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 CBS has LED bulbs you maybe could try first http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/led-red-stoptail-staggered-bayonet-pins They have single and double contact ones. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrie Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Polish the reflector - they go dull after a couple of years. Some of the LED bulbs aren't that bright, but that's eBay for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 The old trailer lamp fittings are facing at rightangles to the rear of the car and rely on a cupped shaped reflector to divert the light beam rearwards. You could clean and polish the reflector cup and lens to improve the amount of emitted light, admitedly doing this will only make a small improvement. Led bulbs will improve things but the the way the diodes are fitted they could end up facing the wrong direction as I found out. A roll bar brake light improves intensity by not the sidelights, so the only way is to change the whole lamp fittings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben30R Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I put my lenses of another car in the dishwasher surprised how well they came up not on a hot setting tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi Men. Thanks for the great replies. I have bought some LED bulbs but not from Ebay. I have cleaned my lens and reflector as suggested in the various posts above. I have also looked at the high level breaklights as also suggested. My proposal is this. Install the LED light bulbs for now to tidy me over. Purchase and install a tidy, high level break light. Replace my trailer light fittings for the new style ones. I did look on a website but it said they were out of stock. Thanks everyone for the great advise and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Couple of things - have you checked the voltage in the contacts within the lights? It should be pretty close to that directly at the battery - if not then the wiring or connectors are in need of some attention (could be poor earth even). I've used good old kitchen foil (or empty fruit pie cases ) glued to the light housing and behind the bulb as the "silver" has usually vanished - assuming it was there in the first place. It's amazing how much brighter a bulb will be when all its light is reflected through the lens. If shape is difficult to use foil, just painting the internals with silver paint makes a big difference. Blackberry and Apple pie cases make the best reflectors in my view Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 You need led lamps like this IMO. Work nicely for me (with a 3rd brake light on the roll bar) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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