C5 X7 Reverse Lights

[DHallworth]

Evening gents,

I've just been out in the C5 which I rarely drive and noticed how poor the reversing lights are on it. I left it in reverse with the ignition on and it looks like only 4 of the 8 squares on each side of the reverse lights are illuminating. I take it they are standard bulbs and not LED's?

Is the output from the lights satisfactory when the lights are working properly or is there a preferred upgrade for the reversing lamps?

Thanks in advance!

David.

[vborovic]

A standard fit is the H21W bulb ... some change them for the LED's getting slightly better light output (brightness), but don't expect to see anything extra while pitch black with them fitted

[DHallworth]

Thanks for that!

Strange that they only appear to be half lit. I'll take them apart tomorrow evening and have a look.

David.

[GiveMeABreak]

David, I changed my X7 reversing lights for some LEDs - I didn't get any night shots, but I'm sure you can see a difference in the day shots below:

These are the LEDs I bought - you have to watch the replacement type as there isn't much room in there.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H21W-R435 ... XQzH9SHgqg

You're just not going to get a floodlight strength beam for reversing as there isn't enough room to put a larger higher output bulb in there presently, coupled with the type of light diffusing housing used - but an improvement on the original bulbs that weren't much brighter than a lit match!

[Stickyfinger]

Snap, same bulbs.....not much but a bit

I have used the rear fogs which work better but are a little red

[GiveMeABreak]

Incidentally, which fog bulbs did you get Alasdair ? Shouldn't be a problem for those of us who use our fogs properly (i.e. when there is fog!) if these are a bit brighter.

[Paul-R]

These are the LEDs I bought - you have to watch the replacement type as there isn't much room in there.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H21W-R435 ... XQzH9SHgqg

You're just not going to get a floodlight strength beam for reversing as there isn't enough room to put a larger higher output bulb in there presently, coupled with the type of light diffusing housing used - but an improvement on the original bulbs that weren't much brighter than a lit match!

I looked through that link but it doesn't seem to say anywhere what power they dissipate. I'm also unsure, having not yet taken one out, how the bulbs sit in the housing (sideways or end on) but I'm wondering whether these might be brighter? Providing they don't melt the housing that is - they say 30W dissipation.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-30W-CREE-W ... 0857806459

[Paul-R]

They also don't say what temperature the white is. The ones I found are 6000K - possibly too blue?

[Stickyfinger]

Not changed the rear fog bulbs David, standard ones in there. I do not see the need to go brighter as if it is that foggy I would not be able to see out the front

I changed the reversing bulbs as one had blown.

[GiveMeABreak]

The fitting is end-on Paul, and I didn't go for the other type as I didn't reckon too much on the beam dispersal pattern in such a small lens area with little light (if any) getting reflected back out through the lens.

If you look at the 3528 (1210 equivalen) on the Wiki table it will give you an indication per led and there are 30 of them on this bulb.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMD_LED_Module

[GiveMeABreak]

They also don't say what temperature the white is. The ones I found are 6000K - possibly too blue?

The ones I fitted aren't blue at all - pure white as you can see compared to the yellowish original bulbs.
The listing has ended Paul, but here is a link to the original info:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H21W-R435 ... 7675.l2557

[Paul-R]

That was what I followed through to from the expired listing. I wasn't querying the colour of those but the ones that I found. If I knew what yours were I cold form an opinion on mine.

Anyway, for just over £6 I thought soddit and ordered them. According to the email I've just received they've been despatched already. Now for the wait...

[GiveMeABreak]

Always good to do some before and after pics for a visual comparison later - will be good to see how these compare to mine AFAP.

[DHallworth]

Sorry guys, haven't been online for a day or two!

Glad to see that it's not just our car that doesn't fill the whole light! I thought there was a bulb missing as it's almost half of the lamp that's not showing lit!

David.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes it doesn't look finished does it, must of been tea break during the design process and somone forgot the Hob Nobs, leading to a French "tools down, everyone out!" episode.