Date:         Mon, 24 Jun 2002 15:26:42 -0400
Reply-To:     "Chris S." <MrVolkswagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Chris S." <MrVolkswagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: tail lamp upgrades
Comments: To: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> This is NOT a good idea. Why? the taillight needs to be dimmer than your
> breaklights.  A lot dimmer.
> second, it is known that the brighter light WILL melt the taillight
> assembly. I ran a brighter light for a while and now there is a burned
> spot in the lens.

Matthew,

I completely agree that the brake lights need to be brighter than the tail
lights. This is accomplished, in part, by the reflector inside of the brake
light housing.  The parking light housing lacks this reflector.  I run
heavy-duty 50-watt incadescent light bulbs in my parking lights and 50-watt
halogen 'back-up' light bulbs in my brake lights and my back-up lights.
This gives me bright parking lights and ultra-bright-retina-burning brake
lights.  I've had no problems in over a year since I've upgraded.

Chris,

'85 Westy.