Reversing lights upgrade?

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Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by milleplod »

It would be very nice if the reversing lights on my X7 tourer were brighter! Has anyone found a bulb to replace the standard H21W? I've seen loads of LED 'upgrades' on eBay and the like, but wondered if anyone had actually got any fitted that are genuinely brighter than standard. The LEDs I bought for my DRLs are not as bright as the originals - I don't want to make the same mistake! :)

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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It really is down to the type of LED Pete - they are not all created equal. My DRLs were defo brighter than the halogen ones, but were about £25 for the pair and took some modifications to the pins to fit - but were worth it in the end. I also more recently in the summer did my angular lighting - which on my version with Xenons uses the also dreaded HP19W bulb, whereas the halogen headlamps use a standard 'H' type bulb (can't remember if it's H7 or not). I had to put some load resistors and undertake a modification again with the pins - but the result is fantastic at nioght and round country lanes / at junctions - really illuminates the corners.

As for the reversing ones - choice is very limited because of the fitting, but I have these:
X7 Reverse H21W LEDs Comparison C.png
As you can see the before and after pictures, they are at least crisper, however, I have the rear blind up (which helps filter out additional dazzle before the electrochrome mirror does its job), so the visible light is not great - but wasn't before. If you don't have or don't use the rear blind, then you should get a much better result. I will go out in a bit now it is dark and take a snap for you. But these were the result of the ones I fitted
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by van ordinaire »

There are some LED's specifically for reversing lights (in fact I have a pair, intended for the C15 - but its reversing lights are really good, so never bothered) which look quite different but whether they are merely very bright, without putting any light on the road -as is all too common with LED's - I've no idea.
On the other hand, I picked up a pair cheap at an autojumble out of curiosity really as they looked so strange: about the size of a 1p coin - & just as flat. In the end I gave them to someone in response to a similar enquiry (on another forum) & he reports that they're really good.
No, they're not all born equal - but price is no indication of performance. I suppose the trick is to buy them on eBay - & send them back if they don't work for you.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by white exec »

I was also browsing for some LED replacements for the existing P21W's, but failed to find any direct (same base) replacements that were actually brighter and 3500K or warmer.
Did just wonder whether switching from tungsten to halogen (at a similar wattage) might not do the trick, as halogen is about 2.5x as bright.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, so in true FCF assistance mode and as I promised Paul that I would get a picture of the reversing lights (I didn't forget - really) and as Pete asked, I trapsed out tonight in the freezing wet and windy weather, barefoot and in loin cloth to get these pics.

Click on the images to get a larger, clearer view
Marc X7 Reversing Lights A.png
Here's the Golden Hornet showing them from a distance
Marc X7 Reversing Lights C.png
Here's a close up
Marc X7 Reversing Lights B.png
...and here is a picture of the light shining on the Silver Hornet to give some idea of light.
These were the ones:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H21W-R43 ... 7675.l2557
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by EDC5 »

Effort much appreciated Marc, they look pretty bright to me!
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by admiral51 »

To be fair they do look nice and bright, but even with floodlights as reversing lights and parking sensors SWMBO would still be looking forward and hit something going in reverse, she has full beam going forwards and still hits the great big wall right in front of her :(
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by white exec »

white exec wrote: 17 Dec 2018, 20:06 I was also browsing for some LED replacements for the existing P21W's, but failed to find any direct (same base) replacements that were actually brighter and 3500K or warmer.
Did just wonder whether switching from tungsten to halogen (at a similar wattage) might not do the trick, as halogen is about 2.5x as bright.
Out of curiosity, I just tried this in the workshop:
Measured light intensity (Gossen professional incident light meter) of three 12v bulbs, at a distance of 30cm from the bulb:
12v P21W standard brake/ind/rev bulb . . . 5 lux
12v 20W G4 halogen bulb . . . 3 lux
12v 50W G5.3 halogen bulb . . . 10 lux

I really expected the (brand new) 20W halogen bulb to be much better than that, and was surprised it couldn't beat the standard car bulb. Quite possible this one was designed for 'long life', so was conservative on light output.

Don't fancy putting 50W into a fairly cramped reversing light fitting, but might consider 35W, if I can find one. Was thinking of just mounting a bi-pin halogen in a P21W (BA15s) base, easy enough to do.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

if reversing in the Dark, try turning the headlights off, asssuming its safe to do so.

I'm not sure of the logic, but it definitely helps; possibly something to do with a greater contrast for the eyes. I often do it.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

But I'm looking backwards, not forwards! :rofl2:

TBH, I just aim in the right direction and let the parking sensors do the rest now as it's a lot less hassle.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by milleplod »

Thanks for all the info chaps - Marc, you went above and beyond! :-D I wanted brighter reversing lights to help prevent me keep clipping some edging stones on our drive, rather than anything directly behind the car, so the sensors can't help me. Other option would be to get the Mrs shining a torch out of the living room window for me! :lol:

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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by Paul-R »

milleplod wrote: 18 Dec 2018, 07:52 Other option would be to get the Mrs shining a torch out of the living room window for me!
Pfah! She should be outside lighting your path for you.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 17 Dec 2018, 23:42 But I'm looking backwards, not forwards!
yeh, of course, it works though.

...just don't ask 'er indoors to do the reversing itself Paul !
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by van ordinaire »

Bright yes BUT do they provide any illumination? I have seen so many pictures after only one has been changed showing a pool of yellowy light on one side & a fearsomely bright white light the other - but behind/beneath it just darkness.

Not seen any quite like that, but on the basis of how good I was told the el cheapo ones I gave away were, which were just like the top "disc" they seem quite promising - not a bad price either (although I don't know the brand).

I know BA9 halogens are available but not come across BA15's, although given how hot they burn, I'm not sure about using them within a (plastic) reversing light enclosure.
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Re: Reversing lights upgrade?

Post by Lenny »

I'm toying with the idea of putting a separate bright but compact light under the bumper down near the towbar and feed it from the towbar wiring.
I use a small halogen lamp on the 2cv and it works a treat.
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