Date: 19 Dec 1996 08:58:32 -0800
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Wiesner Craig" <Wiesner_Craig@mm.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com>
Subject: RE: lighting questions
Sean -
I agree with Joel. One of the first things I did to my van was install a fog
light on the back bumper and wire it to one of the back-up lights. It is very
easy to do. The wires go in the pull down license plate area. One goes to
ground and the positive right to the harness junction for the back-up light. I
have had this set-up for 6-7 months now with no problems in the wiring. Now I
can see things behind me at nite and people definetly know when I am
backing-up.
I also installed fog lights on the front that I use full time to supplement
the poor excuse stock headlights as well as baja lights for off-road and bad
storms.
Good luck,
- Craig '86 Syncro Westy
_______________________________________________________________________________
>From: lbart@preferred.com on Wed, Dec 18, 1996 5:58 PM
Subject: lighting questions
To: Multiple recipients of list
Hey all,
I have a quick question about lighting. I've got an '81 Vanagon but I'm
posting to both lists because there are probably some Type2er's who can
help me out.
What I want is brighter lights for the brake light (which is a separate
bulb from the tail light in a Vanagon) and the back-up lights. VW calls
for 21 watt bulbs for each of these applications. I noticed in RMMW's
Cabriolet catalog that they sell an adaptor that will allow you to use a
20-watt quartz halogen high intensity bulb in place of the stock 21-watt
incandescent bulb. They advertise it for use in brake lights and back-up
lights. I was wondering how hot these halogen bulbs get. Would they melt
the lens or what? Also, RMMW wants $24.95 for a set of two adaptors (I
think the bulbs are included). That seems kind of pricey. Has anyone seen
this type of adaptor before in a FLAPS? I haven't.
I currently have 35-watt incandescent bulbs in place of the stock 21-watt
bulbs for brake lights and back-up lights. They are brighter than the
21-watt bulbs but not as bright as I was expecting. How much brighter
would a 20-watt quartz halogen bulb be than the stock 21-watt bulb.
Basically the idea here is to be able to see behind the van when backing up
(Joel would say "Put a fog light on the back and wire it up" -- I don't
know if I want to do that) and to have brake lights that say "I'm stopping
NOW, dammit!" Should I go for these halogen dealies? Anyone have them on
their van?
Thanks in advance,
Sean