Brighter Tail Lights!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Brighter Tail Lights!
A few months back there was a thread in which we discussed ways of making our tail lights brighter. At its conclusion, I figured that I could gain some reflective quality by painting the black inside of the tail light body with gloss white or silver paint. However, I recently had a better idea. My halogen work lights have a shiney aluminum screen mounted behind them to better project light. I figured that if it would help a 300 watt work light, then it should really help a 15 watt stop light on my truck. 
So, Last night I removed one of the tail light covers and covered the inside area with aluminum foil (relective side out). The result was dramatic. I had the wife step on the brakes and the difference in the two lights was obvious. I would estimate that the aluminum foil doubled the brightness of the brake light! Please note that my tail lite bodies are black. People with stainless bodies would prob not see as much improvement. After retrofiting the other light, I am sure that the truck is much more noticable when stopping or turning. Total cost: 3 cents 
Jag
So, Last night I removed one of the tail light covers and covered the inside area with aluminum foil (relective side out). The result was dramatic. I had the wife step on the brakes and the difference in the two lights was obvious. I would estimate that the aluminum foil doubled the brightness of the brake light! Please note that my tail lite bodies are black. People with stainless bodies would prob not see as much improvement. After retrofiting the other light, I am sure that the truck is much more noticable when stopping or turning. Total cost: 3 cents Jag
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
The light buckets on a '54 are large enough to accept this mod. I couldn't get enough tinfoil in the little round ones I have on the '48 to make a difference.
My mod was to paint them white and use 2357 bulbs. I highly recommend this bulb if you're running std bulbs. 40 vs. 23 watts if I remember right. Plus I went with a third brake light after being rear ended a couple years ago.
My mod was to paint them white and use 2357 bulbs. I highly recommend this bulb if you're running std bulbs. 40 vs. 23 watts if I remember right. Plus I went with a third brake light after being rear ended a couple years ago.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The easiest way to get bright tail lights is to use Ron Francis' brite bulbs. They fit in the same place an 1157 bulb does but they are halogen. I have used them for years. I don't know what the candle power is on them but they are really bright even with blue dots. You can also paint the inside of the taillight housing with aluminum/chrome paint. That will brighten them up some too... 
Vern
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Jun 9, 2005 at 12:58 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
Assuming you don't have extra resistance in your circuit.
I think Eastwood has something that reproduces the reflective finish on factory lights. Would plain silver paint be as effective? If so, why did the factory use a special reflective surface?
I think Eastwood has something that reproduces the reflective finish on factory lights. Would plain silver paint be as effective? If so, why did the factory use a special reflective surface?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
I would think that anything would be an improvement over dusty black paint. After I put the foil in, the color of the red lense even changed. It appears to be a much lighter shade of red now. I had tried the halogen bulbs in my Fairlane about five years ago. They were much brighter than stock, however I had a problem. The lightbulbs did not get much brighter when you stepped on the brakes at night. So, in fact, at night it was like having no brake lights! 
I think they were pricey too. About $15 each side+/-. I don't know what brand they were though. If this sparks some action by some of our members to remedy their poor visibility in the back, then it's a worthy cause. Jag 
After I put the foil in, the color of the red lense even changed. It appears to be a much lighter shade of red now. I had tried the halogen bulbs in my Fairlane about five years ago. They were much brighter than stock, however I had a problem. The lightbulbs did not get much brighter when you stepped on the brakes at night. So, in fact, at night it was like having no brake lights! I think they were pricey too. About $15 each side+/-. I don't know what brand they were though. If this sparks some action by some of our members to remedy their poor visibility in the back, then it's a worthy cause. Jag
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
You could use the white reflective safety tape available at most hardware stores, or they sell a paint meant to make a projection screen out of a wall that I think has glass beads in it. There is also a new near chrome paint out. The big problem you'll find with using aluminum foil is that it will oxidize and lose it's reflectivity. I plan on replacing the bulbs in my panel's miniscule blue dot taillites with high intensity LED units. They have some that simply plug into the 1157 bulb socket, and others that are a circuit board full that fills the housing.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I'm waiting for the LED direct-replacement bulbs (equivalent to 1157's) to come down in price, then I will put them in everything I own. I have a car with daytime running lights and I can't believe how many bulbs I've gone thru in 2 years! Not that they're expensive, but because they are all on, all the time, they all burn out within a week of each other. It has left me with no rear running lights a couple of times.
It appears to me that a reflector doesn't help (isn't needed) with LED's, they are directional, right?
It appears to me that a reflector doesn't help (isn't needed) with LED's, they are directional, right?
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Yes the leds are directional light comes out the end so there is no stray light to reflect.
The leds are also shock proof and last 100s of K hours without burning out and are much brighter. You'll never need to replace a bulb again. That's why they are going over to all led traffic lights, how many have you seen with a dead led much less a whole array? The small trailer we use for hauling our race tires and tools is pretty light so it bounces a lot on rough roads. We break at least one bulb filament per trip. Last year beginning of the season as a test I changed the 4 corner marker lights to led units, and since then we have burned out ~ 5 or 6 tailight and license plate bulbs but not a single marker light has gone out. I haven't found a set of led taillights that combine stop turn and taillight functions that will fit on the trailer or I would have already changed the taillights to led.
The leds also do not get hot like high watt filament bulbs so you won't melt or crack lenses or blister paint.
The leds are also shock proof and last 100s of K hours without burning out and are much brighter. You'll never need to replace a bulb again. That's why they are going over to all led traffic lights, how many have you seen with a dead led much less a whole array? The small trailer we use for hauling our race tires and tools is pretty light so it bounces a lot on rough roads. We break at least one bulb filament per trip. Last year beginning of the season as a test I changed the 4 corner marker lights to led units, and since then we have burned out ~ 5 or 6 tailight and license plate bulbs but not a single marker light has gone out. I haven't found a set of led taillights that combine stop turn and taillight functions that will fit on the trailer or I would have already changed the taillights to led.
The leds also do not get hot like high watt filament bulbs so you won't melt or crack lenses or blister paint.
Last edited by AXracer; Jun 9, 2005 at 11:28 PM.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I used to work for the power company here, and the economics of LED stoplights (traffic signals) are unbelieveable. They are on 24/7, a minimum of 4 lights/intersection, as many as 12. Each intersection converted to LED's (with a minimum of 4 signal sets) saves the city a minmum of $600 a year in power costs, compared to incandescents! For the city of Albuquerque, I believe they were looking at a $1.5 million savings just in electrical power, plus virtually eliminating maintenance costs.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Ax, would the led "Line of Fire" work for your trailer? I have the 48" model mounted under my tailgate to work in conjunction with the normal tailights. @........................@
They also come in the 60" version. Both sell for about $75.
They also come in the 60" version. Both sell for about $75.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
JR, no, the trailer frame is only 42" wide. I'm buying an enclosed car transporter trailer to put the race car in along with the tires instead of trailering the tires behind the race car as soon as Gracie is ready to take on her role as tow vehicle, so I haven't been looking for trailer lights as intensely since we made that decision.
Brad, I do believe you need to add a "load" module for the incandescent flasher to work reliably (although the front turn lights might be enough?) or use a solid state flasher. The high power leds are made about 15 miles from us.
Brad, I do believe you need to add a "load" module for the incandescent flasher to work reliably (although the front turn lights might be enough?) or use a solid state flasher. The high power leds are made about 15 miles from us.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
AX,
Do you mean the tail light assemblies or the LED's at the component level? If the latter, what is the company name?
Thanks!
Originally Posted by AXracer
The high power leds are made about 15 miles from us.
Thanks!