Reverse lights

[Alan Gunn]

Anybody fitted any extra lights.
I find the stock lights no use at all and where i park i need to see where i am going.
If you have fitted some any pictures ??.

[X5Sport]

How about replacing them with LEDs?  Should be a straight swap.  They seem to be whiter and brighter.

[Alan Gunn]

I did look at led bulbs but the majority of look like the main light comes out of the end and our bulbs are sideways sort of.

[Upex]

Get a cheapo led bar and mount wherever, itll be loads more light than anything else, and cheaper than a price of decend bulbs.

If you crafty and after a flush look, could mount in lower bumper, the top of boot etc.

No pics as not done mine yet, have the led bar (5 bulbs, but bright as hell) from buying a bulk 10 box when only needed 3 for another project, which cost me £5 per light. Bit of wire to the normal reverse light and boom, see everything. Plus can remove and reuse easily.

These things
Look at this on eBay  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132051046020

Went for this profile as more discrete and easier to hide vs square ones etc.

Im planning on fitting a secondary power supply and switch, so have a rear work light when loading and unloading in dark via switch and both the leds and rev when backing up. Those few leds run on so little current 1.5amp, its a win win.

Guess you could have yours on a switch to, so only use when needed, otherwise normal reverse lights, if so wanted.

[Alan Gunn]

I have 2 of the cree 18w LED in that link.
Would the normal reverse light have enough power to run 1 or even 2 of them.

[Upex]

I would say likely, as 1 of those 18w only draws 1.5 amp, and you'd not have it on for very long. However, that said, I don't know what the draw is of the normal bulbs or bulb.

For cover, if not using normal lights, you could pop a little led bulb in them which would reduce the current substantialy. If there 2 reverse bulbs, dropping them to led would likely free up enough current for the led and keep in normal limit. What power fuse are the reverse lights on, as that will say a lot.

If none of the above, or for ultimate security, or if wanting several of the led units, the drive them directly from battery and trigger via a relay, from the reverse bulbs.

[henrym3]

I have LEDs in the reverse lights, they look great, very bright but don't seem to show a lot. To be honest I see more by keeping my foot lightly on the brake pedal.  Upex probably has the best idea.

[Alan Gunn]

I think the bulbs are 21w so if i was to fit 2 of the led fittings as in that link and take the normal bulbs out it should be ok ????????

[Upex]

If you have 2 x 21w bulbs as standard, that's 42 w total. 2 of those 18w led units will draw 36w so if you remove the 2 reverse bulbs, and have 2 led units instead, you'll be using 6w less power than standard (so half amp less draw than she has now).

If you only had 1 led light unit and no reverse bulbs, you'd be running at 2amp less than stock set up.

Either of these combos will therefore be far less than the existing wires already carry.

However, I'm not up to speed on reverse light regs for mot (have had cars pass that didn't have a working reverse light so think you'll be ok), but is a consideration.

Also, having no bulbs in stock holes, might throw bulb out warning? Not sure if that's part of the checks car does?

I'd suggest getting a 12v battery and testing the light at back of car (jump go car battery be easy) and sit in and see how much you can see, so can decide if you want 1 unit or 2 (test both). Once know what you want to install, can then check the power vs wire gague etc. I think it likely be best to add cheap leds in bulb sockets just because of errors and means if somehow the led unit fails or gets broke by road debris etc (depending where it's fitted etc) you at least have some reverse light, even if just for other road users to see.