dual-filament brake and signal bulbs

[Farrar]

When looking at the dual-filament signal bulbs on the front of the car, I thought "Wouldn't it be nice to have dual-filament signal bulbs on the rear of the car, too?" and decided to incorporate Bill's dual-filament brake light idea as well. (Bill has been running dual-filament brake lights now for a few years, and although I liked the mod I never got around to implementing it on my car.)

Attached is a sketch of what I came up with. I haven't implemented it yet, as I plan to replace the stock taillight boards with something homemade which I will then mount the sockets to, use 100% LED units, and replace the stock connector with a Weatherpak connector, and I haven't bought any of those parts yet...

So this is just for reference -- just an idea -- but feel free to comment on it anyway.

Farrar

[content22207]

Amber running lights in the rear aren't U.S. legal.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

Amber running lights in the rear aren't U.S. legal.

So that's why!

OK, thanks. Good thing I haven't done anything yet. :lol:

Kind of a shame -- I was looking forward to having ridiculously bright turn signals on the rear.

Farrar

[Farrar]

The "DOH" factor has now been removed from the schematic, which I posted on my "Farrar's Car Blog" thread before realizing that it's absolutely nothing new when compared to Bill's taillight mod... which I guess was another "DOH!"

Looks like my coffee isn't as good today as it was yesterday...

Farrar

[content22207]

You can solder across the terminals of an 1157 bulb, making it into an 1156 bulb with two filaments.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

You can solder across the terminals of an 1157 bulb, making it into an 1156 bulb with two filaments.

I may do that -- I'd like my turn signals to be brighter. Also the backup lights... compared to my PT Cruiser, the DeLorean's backup lights are somewhat anemic.

Thanks!

Farrar

[content22207]

A PT Cruiser isn't a 1970 Mercury....

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

A PT Cruiser isn't a 1970 Mercury....

No, but considering that that Mercury I was looking at is still for sale, I have a feeling the seller was not being forthright about its operating condition...

Farrar

[content22207]

My tail lights and boards:
2692 2694 2691 2693 2695

I use incandescent turn signal bulbs because of the side flasher mod (LED's can't properly ground the side marker bulbs -- they just glow faintly).

As you can clearly see, internal reflection of the 3rd position bulb is virtually identical to positions 2 and 4 (I am holding the convex rear reflector upside down in the third pic). I found CD reflectors to be inadequate.

Remember that wiring for position 3 and positions 2,4 into my boards is flipped.

Only positions 2 and 4 use dual filament bulbs.

Look closely and you will see that I Dremeled off portions of the positive PC traces that were overlapped by the mounting tabs of my new sockets (socket housings are negative).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

Just a quick update:

I like Bill's idea of using 1157's for brighter signals, and will order two 1157 sockets soon from Superbright as I will be ordering some other bits and bobs from them at that time.

Thanks for the photos, Bill!

Farrar