Adding an extra brake light on an early model, need some help

[DER E30]

I have nightmares about getting my beautiful car plowed into at a stop sign.

You too huh? The last few times I've woken up in a cold sweat it was a dream about having whatever car I was driving destroyed by someone... Driving my truck and getting T boned in intersections when I have the green, getting rearended while sitting at a redlight in my e30, Driving my dream e46 M3 (AW3/Cinn/6mt/coupe) and having concrete fall on the hood from somewhere... Crap like that. Literally the only dreams I remember are like that, my things wrecked by idiots.

[15Michaeljoseph]

I (cough) soldered wires directly to the bulbs (cough)

Attaboy.




I'm planning on doing this soon myself. Too many ignorant stupid people on phones or not paying attention... I have nightmares about getting my beautiful car plowed into at a stop sign. Planning on soldering right to the bulb myself. and since LED's come in a 3 pack (Dafuqizat?) at my local autozone, I'll have one left over for the center mount light too

[Das Delfin]

Any ideas where to get the metal clip thingys?

Ask someone parting out their car if they have an extra taillight backplate.

The idea with LED is that it will never go out, so in theory there's no issue with soldering directly to the bulb. Plus the connection will never corrode

[DER E30]

Any ideas where to get the metal clip thingys?


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I (cough) soldered wires directly to the bulbs (cough)

[Ijl]

Any ideas where to get the metal clip thingys?


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[DER E30]

I just added LED bulbs in the fog spots as extra brake lights, no fuse popping. :up: I can see that it lights up things behind me much brighter. :up:

[Mo Brighta]

High Output lights - part 2, more options

Hit up Mo Brighta ...

I guess I forgot to point out that the same technique can be applied to add a single extra light each side - tail OR brake, or rear fogs, or ??? It's less complicated and less money than the extra tail AND brake. Hey, it's something... I have discovered lots of ways to improve these lights, to help you Be Seen, and Not Hurt.

I also should mention that if you would like brighter lights without any rewiring or 'trickery' at all, I can send you a set of HO bulbs, as many as you like, that are perfectly safe, nominal wattage, nickel base, increase output by 33% (brake, turn, reverse) or by 150% (tail). Easy as changing a bulb.

Only thing I DON'T have (yet) is HO center brake for the convertibles. I'll look into it if you really want me to, just ask. Email is faster and better, PM is OK too.

Andy

[Mo Brighta]

So, you want brighter tail/brake lights ???

Hit up Mo Brighta here on R3V.
He does this and sells the finished product for ~$80

Thanks, Self Made. I'll be glad to help if I can.

2mAn, you are on the right track, and have good motivation, just sounds like you stumbled a bit in the execution. Not blaming, you got it mostly right, I have seen it tried with less success, and FAR worse results.

Those bright bulbs are reserved for brake, turn, reverse, and in other markets, rear fogs. Think of them as tail lights on steroids; when it's foggy, it is just as important for you to be seen by folks behind you, as it it for you to see stuff in front of you. Common sense, don't know why it was illegal in the US for so long.

Here is my basic scheme to improve rear lights - tails and brakes.

First, I take advantage of the 'empty socket' to add a bulb, then I wire it to light dimly with tail lights and brightly with brake lights. Same as at the factory: copper wire of the correct color, crimped and soldered to the contacts. Pretty much like it was factory installed.

Second, I install socket contacts salvaged from broken E30 early tail lights, no need to adapt from another car-it's the stock part.

Third, added bulb is low wattage with the tails, and high wattage with the brakes. Appearance is totally as expected, and stock fuses are adequate and do not need to be 'over-amped.' They're vital to protect the car as intended, and as designed by those clever German engineers.

Fourth, the bulb has a nickel base metal as required by BMW, so no funky check panel warnings or corrosion or failures, just good steady light.

Current price for the upgrades, including two HO bulbs, is $89 for the pair, exchange. If you ask nicely, I'll knock $10 off, because I'd rather make a bit less and help you make your car a BUNCH more visible, safely!

Besides, I am running a sale on the big coupe forum, don't want to show favorites .... Hell, those guys have buckets of money, they can afford a six series! :)

Did someone say 'Pics?' http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=190578

Andy

[Self Made]

Hit up Mo Brighta here on R3V.

He does this and sells the finished product for ~$80

[Ijl]

What LEDs did you end up going with and how is the brightness compared to the regular stop lamps? Pics???


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[15Michaeljoseph]

run LEDs :D

Fixed



--Mike

[pandaboo911]

Upgrade the fuse to 10 amps and run LEDs :D

[Ijl]

or a cheaper way....use a 5007.

Not sure how bright it will be though

[Ijl]

the stock 3 bulbs are pulling about 6amp . So if you add 2 LEDs to the new position you should have a total of 5 stop lights and under 7.5 amps. You have about 1 amp of wiggle room per bulb...LEDs all the way

[15Michaeljoseph]

Get LED bulbs... maybe they wouldn't pop the fuses because of the reduced electricity pull. also much brighter for girls texting in suv's with no license or insurance


--Mike