Date:         Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:42:23 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Back-up lights & now tail lights
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <46F2C36A.10208@charter.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

John,

What bulbs did you try for tail lights?  I installed brighter bulbs used in Honda's(easy access for me) last January on my daily driver and have had no problems that were not of my own doing.  Obviously you are in a different climate but I do drive with my lights on at all times and the only time I melted anything was when I did not properly fasten the tail light backing into the lens.  This allowed the bulb to touch the plastic where the bulb goes into the assembly melting it a little, no damage to the lens just the backing.  I have been thinking of doing a side by side photo comparison between our Westy with stock bulbs and my 7 Pass. with bright bulbs.  I will have to check as I may have put the same bulbs in for backup lights too, not that it would do any good on my daily driver as the PO tinted the rear window.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:03 am
Subject: Re: Back-up lights
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> I have played around a bit with tail light bulbs to acheive a bright
> light, but found that the brighter bulbs mean more heat, and the added
> heat melts the plastic tail light fixture. The exception - and
> here is
> where you have to be careful - is the backup lights. You can put in
> bright backup lights - Provided you use the for only a few moments
> at a
> time. This way - though they do heat up quickly - they don't heat
> up so
> quickly as to melt the plastic..So long a s you don't just leave
> it in
> reverse!
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Ron Johnson wrote:
> > In addition to terrifically under-powered headlights on a
> Vanagon, the back-up lights are also below expectation.
> >
> > For headlights, GoWesty seems to have a good upgrade kit - any
> yeas or nays?
> >
> > For back-up light improvement, I haven't seen any Vanagon
> specific kits. I have seen a KC Lites kit at JC Whitney (2x 55W!).
> Any other votes in this category?
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ron Johnson
> > Portland, OR
> > '91 Weekender, "Betsy"
> >
> >
> >
>