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06-02-2013, 08:03 PM | #1 |
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Tail light brightness
I was recently pulled over by a police officer and he suggested my tail lights were not bright enough. I have GE # 1129 bulbs which is 17 watts.
In Mac's I see they have 23 candle power bulbs. How does watts and candle power compare and is a 23 candle power bulb brighter than a 17 watt bulb. Thanks Al |
06-02-2013, 08:08 PM | #2 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
You are probably better to go with the LED lights instead of the halogen or higher CP bulbs. Unless the license plate lamp lens is removed, that lamp can sure get hot (dangerously hot) which hurts when someone touches it and will shorten the life of the bulb. Also note that the original lamps do not have much of a way to reflect light rearward either.
One other thought I might share which we do on Model-T's is use the flashing LED amber lamps (available at sporting good and tractor supply stores) on the back of our cars after dark. Depending on the size, (from bicycle to farm machinery) these magnetic based lamps can be placed on the back of your Model-A during a ride home to warn traffic you are ahead ...and when you do not need them, you can stow them under the seat. |
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06-02-2013, 08:11 PM | #3 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
You can brighten your tail-lights, some, by spraying the inside of the shell with white paint. Some people use silver, but white is brighter.
MIKE |
06-02-2013, 09:32 PM | #4 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
I put a pair of the LEDs in my pickup. WOW, they're bright. My sedan has a halogen tail light. Its bright, but not as bright as the LED, and it pulls so many amps that the headlights go dim at idle, with a 6 volt alternator. The LEDs hardly pull any amps.
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06-02-2013, 09:32 PM | #5 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
I'm surprized to hear the tail light isn't bright enough. I painted the inside silver, as was done originally, and my standard bulb really lights up the road. Guess some night I'll have to have someone drive my car while I stand outside and see how it looks as they drive away.
A lighting store owner explained lumens and candlepower to me and the difference in terms, but I'll have to visit him again, because I just don't remember the details. Watts of course is a measure of power used so the LED's would take fewer watts for the candlepower produced. It does make it confusing when one sell lists candlepower and another lists watts. Candlepower would be the correct term to use for comaring one bulb to another. |
06-02-2013, 09:57 PM | #6 | |
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Re: Tail light brightness
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Quote:
Probably the best solution to keep the police at bay would be to go with LEDs. Watt for watt LEDs provide about 6x the lumens per watt than incandescent - plus they're more efficient and result in less life shortening heat. Another advantage of LEDs in this instance is that the light from these devices tends to be "monochromatic." They are RED and don't make light of any other wavelength. All your power goes to making RED. Thus you get even more of what you want (red light) without all that green, blue, yellow, magenta all combining to white light stuff that incandescent bulbs make and red lens normally blocks anyway. Hope this thought helps. I wonder what they use? Joe K
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06-02-2013, 10:03 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Tail light brightness
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06-03-2013, 08:13 AM | #8 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
My tailight was extremely dim and I found the problem to be a poor ground between the fender and tail light bracket. I removed the bracket cleaned out the paint in the three mounting holes and found the light to be significantly brighter. Just a thought...
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06-03-2013, 09:30 AM | #9 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
Thank you to all you learned people. As usual you have the right answers !
My first step will be to paint the interior and see what happens. This was my first night ride in 7 years and I got pulled over ! Much obliged ! Al |
06-03-2013, 09:35 AM | #10 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
Do some searching on the HAMB...one guy over there posted a thorough series of tests done with a light meter on different approaches to this, and there are also some postings on the ranges of available bulbs of various types. Or go get the white paint, which is where all the testing led...
Chrome turns out to be a lousy reflector, and I suspect the same would apply to stainless taillight cups. |
06-03-2013, 09:45 AM | #11 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
Did he give you a ticket or just advise you that they were too dim?
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06-03-2013, 09:50 AM | #12 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
He gave me a warning and said he had no way of testing to see if it met minimal standards. I think he just needed a reason to pull me over to have a look at the car.
All is well that ends well ! I compared it to 2 friends cars and we all seem to be the same brightness ! Regards, Al |
06-03-2013, 10:08 AM | #13 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
So are the Ohio State police ! ( Nice try Mr. Palin ! )
Al |
06-03-2013, 12:40 PM | #14 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
Interesting! Silver, the color isn't reflective, but silver, the metal is. Why is that?
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06-03-2013, 01:05 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Tail light brightness
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06-03-2013, 01:09 PM | #16 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
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06-03-2013, 01:20 PM | #17 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
It is beacuse of the CRI (color rendering index) of different surfaces. Silver paint is a mix of pigments, whereas the shinny side of aluminum foil is a substance. Without getting too technical. Light is measured in degrees Kelvin. A reflective surface will reflect radiant energy (heat) therefor it will reflect degrees Kelvin, where the paint absorbs radiant heat, therefor it absorbs light, but not as much as a dark paint. A simple experiment that you would be familiar with. Three objects placed in the sun (radiant heat) a black object gets very hot (absorbing the energy) a silver objects gets warm, but not hot, a piece of aluminum foil stays at ambient temperature, reflecting the energy. I know there will be some that will want to add more tech. to this, but it is a simple explanation, and not a college class on illumination engineering. Chuck, if you have been in the Macy's store in the SeaTac mall, I designed that lighting system in 1976, and was given a DOE award for the first energy efficient department store.
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'31 Fordor Deluxe 2W Briggs 170-B / blackwalls '41 Fordor Deluxe / 2-duece flattie '66 1/2 Dodge Charger '14 100th Anniversary Challenger Limited Edition. Semper Fidelis Last edited by Rock Hornbuckle; 06-03-2013 at 01:32 PM. |
06-03-2013, 01:24 PM | #18 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
My LED's are as bright as most modern car's taillights. I have gone ALL RED since I believe I can't teach the world about amber brake lights versus turn signals. The Third Brake light is helpful too.
Here is a photo of the right turn signal on with the taillites also on. Last edited by Bruce Adams; 06-03-2013 at 01:31 PM. |
06-03-2013, 01:55 PM | #19 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
are the LED's available in 6 volt and if so do you know where ?
Thanks, Al |
06-03-2013, 03:06 PM | #20 |
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Re: Tail light brightness
6 VOLT RED AMBER RIGHT L.E.D. ONLY For Year(s): 29-31
THIS IS A 6 VOLT DIRECT LED REPLACEMENT FOR THE MODLE A. This amber red lense with the clear license plate light (left side) are easy to install, just remove your old bulbs and plug in these new led’s. You might need to use a die grinder to enlarge the lens holes on your bezels. This set up is epoxy coated and fully sealed to keep mosture out of the electronics. This set up WILL NOT fit the Drum Tailight. Used 1929-31 Straight from the Brattons website. $32 and its the entire lens not just a bulb behind the glass. |
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