Reversing light upgrade

TwentyOneThirtyFive · Oct 26, 2013

I never realised how bad my reversing lights were until I was trying to park in an unlit FC car park late one moonless night...

Anyway, today I fitted these bulbs.

http://campervanculture.com/shop/reverse-bulb-upgrade-20w-cree-led/

Only done a driveway test but things do seem much improved. Not cheap, but being LED I'm expecting a very long life from them.

Front end next...

dan

Martin · Oct 26, 2013

Good upgrade this as the standard reverse lights are quite dull.

Anyone with a T5 you will probably need canbus ones or else you will get an error on the dash, I use these ones : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D ... teelect-21

sidepod · Oct 30, 2013

Is there not a legal max wattage for a reversing light?

I've a feeling it's 5W? I think it goes back to the dim and distant past pre gearbox switches for reverse lights.

I think the reason was to avoid having a bright white light facing backwards being lef ton my the driver.

S.

TwentyOneThirtyFive · Oct 30, 2013

It's a maximum of 24w per lamp and a maximum of 2 lamps.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/14/made

sidepod · Oct 31, 2013

Dan,

You have WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too much time on your hands! :lol: :lol: :lol:

TwentyOneThirtyFive · Oct 31, 2013

Shhhhh! If my project manager finds out I'll get given some more of that dreadful 'W' stuff. :shocked

steviej · Nov 4, 2013

I have just fitted the led bulbs recommended by Martin (from amazon) and they are really bright. Great for reversing on dark campsites!
Thanks Martin.

robo · Nov 4, 2013

I have never lokked to see if I have one or two lamps on my van. 2012 California.

beardie · Nov 4, 2013

steviej said:
I have just fitted the led bulbs recommended by Martin (from amazon) and they are really bright. Great for reversing on dark campsites!
Thanks Martin.

is your van a T5 facelift? Not sure if the bulb is the same for all T5's. Did you need 1 or 2 bulbs?
Thanks

robo · Nov 4, 2013

Yes I think its called a facelift.

steviej · Nov 4, 2013

yes, mines a 2010 facelift. I needed 2 bulbs

Martin · Nov 4, 2013

steviej said:
I have just fitted the led bulbs recommended by Martin (from amazon) and they are really bright. Great for reversing on dark campsites!
Thanks Martin.

Hi Steve, I fitted mine last week as we now live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by dark country lanes! These do make a massive difference, very worthwhile upgrade that only takes around five minutes to fit.

beardie · Nov 10, 2013

Like wise just fitted. Bit surprised that each light cluster needs 6 screws to be undone. Wouldn't fancy doing that on a dark night if a brake or rear bulb had blown.

It is a low price, feel good upgrade though. Certainly cheaper than a set of xenons!
Any more suggestions along this line??

beardie · Nov 10, 2013

TwentyOneThirtyFive said:
It's a maximum of 24w per lamp and a maximum of 2 lamps.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/14/made

Obviously the DOT haven't heard of LEDs, 24W LED lamp would be very bright. I can just see them choking on the quails and champagne while deliberating on how much to increase road tax by!!

Bjohnson · Oct 21, 2014

I've just upgraded my reversing lights to the LED lamps as recommended, here's a picture comparing new with existing, one on each side

A significant improvement, better colour (imo) and shouldn't need replacing anytime soon :thumb

Although as soon as I had it apart I did wonder if I should upgrade all the other bulbs for led versions for longevity, but I think that's probably overkill!!