Tail light lenses

Val

My 39 has beautiful deep red thick glass tail lenses. However, even with LED light bulbs I am told my signal and brake lights aren't that bright. I have cleaned the light housing and chrome painted it. I don't know what else I can do beside switching to 12V but I had rather not do that. Any other suggestions? I feel what I have isn't safe.

GrimGreaser

Are they red LEDs or white? Red LEDs will shine better thru red glass. Also, gloss white is sometimes better than chrome for INSIDE the Lense, seems to 'fill' the fixture better. Otherwise, there are LED strips that should run at 6V to accentuate your lights. Run them on the bottom of your rear window or some other convenient spot as a 3rd brake light.

jjbubaboy

Val,

There is a company called Brakelighter that makes an led 3rd brakelight. They have a 6v pos ground version. It can mount to the rear window by suction cups or adhesive dots. Then wire it up in the trunk. It can be done to work for signals and brakes. I have one and it works great.

Jeff

Val

https://openforum.hetclub.org/discussion/comment/255324#Comment_255324

Grim,

They are white LEDs. I Can get red and see. I would hate to get rid of that beautiful red glass also. a 3rd light is an option though Thank you!

Val

https://openforum.hetclub.org/discussion/comment/255326#Comment_255326

Thanks Jeff, I will check that out. I was looking at Eshelman plastics as they make the lenses for my car but in plastic but with a RED LED blub and third light as you have suggested that would do the trick I think. Thanks again

Vic

jjbubaboy

Vic, yes as Grimm has stated, red is much better on red glass.

And either white or as a friend of mine did on the reflector. He got a couple of flashlights from goodwill I think that had reflectors about the size of his housing and modified those to fit inside. Worked great.

Good luck

Jeff

Geoff

You could replace the bulb with a cluster of super bright small L.E.D.'s. Simply solder a 120 ohm 1watt resistor to the wire, and connect your L.E.D.'s to the other end of the resistor in parallel to ground.

Geoff

They only take 1/10th of an amp, so you can use ten in place of one 6w bulb.

bob ward

Definitely use a red LED behind red glass.