6V Super Bright Taillight Bulbs Issue

Steves46

Steves46

Well-known member
Ok, I know there have been a bunch of threads on this subject but I could not find any previous posts relating to my observation/question. I have a set of the 6v super bright taillight bulbs from Sacramento Vintage Ford. Although the brake light function works great by itself during the day, when the lights are on, you can barely see the difference when the brake is applied. :confused: I am thinking I need to increase the gauge of the brake light wire from 14 to maybe 10 or 9 gauge. Anyone else that are using these experience the same issue? I already eliminated the possibility of the wires being reversed. Interestly, I also tried one on my 55 F-100 and the same thing happened...good by itself but barely noticeable in conjunction with the lights on.:eek: I think when I have some free time I will experiment with the larger gauge wire and see what happens.:)
 
I actually went to 9 ga. wire to run them and do it through a relay activated by the brake light switch as that high current quickly burned out a previous brake light switch. I think 9 ga. is probably overkill. 10 or 12 ga. should do.
 
Last edited:
I'm using 32 Ford headlight bulbs in my 40. Like you there wasn't much difference from tailight to brake lights. I installed a resistor in the tailight wire on each side . I also put a relay in the brake light circuit to keep from burning out the switch on the master cylinder. So now all the switch does is make and break the ground on the relay. A horn relay works good for this. Been running this way for 5 or more years.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    50.3 KB · Views: 61
Last edited:
Hi Steve, Just a few things to check before going to the trouble of rewiring your lights. If your wire is too small the voltage will be low when the brake light is lit. Try pricking the insulation at the light and read the voltage when the pedal is pushed. There are wire charts that give rated loads at various distances. Check the wattage ratings on the bulb at tail light and brake light for the load they are pulling. It is possible that the brake light was designed to be minimally brighter than the running light.

edit: the bulbs are rated by candlepower and I understand that it can't be reliably converted to watts, but 50/14 should be enough to distinguish plainly.
 
Last edited:
Steve, I am using the bright bulbs also (12V) with the same issue. One of the reasons for adding the third brake light.
 
Flat 39 nailed it. Consider installing an LED third brake light at the top of the rear window. It may need a diffuser around it to prevent lighting up the whole window after dark.
 
Thanks guys. Actually Don, I have an LED 3rd brake light on my back glass and it works great-I was just curious as to why the super bright bulbs were doing what I described. Dick, that 3rd brake light license plate frame you fabricated looks great.
 
The problem is the bulbs, not your wiring. If they are dual contact (1157) bulbs why not go with a 6 volt LED dual contact bulb and solve your problem? If you can't find them, I can supply the bulbs to you, as I use them in other lights. email me at rswhitmore@yahoo.com if you need 6 Volt dual contact LED Bulbs. Bob
 
Bob, appreciate the recommendation however awhile back, I gambled a few bucks and purchased a set of the 1157 style 6 volt LED dual contact bulbs and was not pleased with them. Although they produced a brighter light, the beam was a small circle and not illuminating the entire lens as incandescent bulbs do.
 
Seems that the super bright bulbs don't have sufficient difference between the tail light brightness and the stop light brightness? Regular 12 volt bulbs would be 5 watt tail and 21 watt stop, that's a big difference. Appears to be to difficult to make a relatively simple part do what it's ment too.
Martin.
 
Interesting installing a relay inline for the brake light. Sounds like a great idea. I have experienced several brake light switches that have failed.
Can it be a 12V or does it have to be a 6 volt relay? Is there a difference?
Thanks
 
bluardun said:
Interesting installing a relay inline for the brake light. Sounds like a great idea. I have experienced several brake light switches that have failed.
Can it be a 12V or does it have to be a 6 volt relay? Is there a difference?
Thanks
Click to expand...


There is a difference. If you've got a 6 volt system then you'll need a 6 volt relay.
 
rswhitmore said:
The problem is the bulbs, not your wiring. If they are dual contact (1157) bulbs why not go with a 6 volt LED dual contact bulb and solve your problem? If you can't find them, I can supply the bulbs to you, as I use them in other lights. email me at rswhitmore@yahoo.com if you need 6 Volt dual contact LED Bulbs. Bob
Click to expand...

Steves46 said:
Bob, appreciate the recommendation however awhile back, I gambled a few bucks and purchased a set of the 1157 style 6 volt LED dual contact bulbs and was not pleased with them. Although they produced a brighter light, the beam was a small circle and not illuminating the entire lens as incandescent bulbs do.
Click to expand...

That was my experience too with what were billed as "Super Bright LED's". Very directional and only lit up my blue dot, not the rest of my lens. Illustrated here: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67558
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top