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How can I get better brake lights?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33798		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  WantOne [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  How can I get better brake lights?
I'm after ideas on how to get my brake lights working better, before I get rear ended. At the moment they are switched on and off by the standard pressure switch down near the clutch. I think the switch is on the way out as sometimes it doesn't go on when brakes are pressed. I was thinking about adding a new microswitch somewhere near the pedal instead. Like modern cars have. Has anyone here done anything like this before?

(it's a 67 Deluxe)
Author:  smac [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Pretty common - just a little momentary off/on/off switch mounted above the arm of the pedal. My MKI has one. Will take a bit of work to get it in the right place - needs to activate with the smallest movement, but then not get shoved out of the way by full throw. The result is you end up mounting it quite high up where the total movement will be less: so total movement of the piece of arm it contacts needs to be less than the throw of the switch.
The other option is replace the switch, they're available.
Author:  Wombat [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:36 am ]
Post subject: 
If it was me I'd replace the existing switch with a new one - they are available and I would install a centre high mount stop light in the middle top of the back window
Author:  Tadhg [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm often told by my wife (when she follows me if we're dropping a car off) that my Mini's tail lights aren't very bright... And she reckons the rear indicators are just about impossible to see in daylight. This is not a surprise, given it's a 38 year old car. I was thinking about LED's..? There's a mob up north somewhere which sells LED's for cars, has anyone used them? I did notice on their site that they do admit that the LED's aren't quite as bright as standard lights, but they claim they're a warmer colour, or something like that... One of the MiniWorld cars is getting LED's, too... :?
I can't use these (I've got two screw tail lights), but has anyone out here used these..? http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/MMTL0 ... Detail.cfm They look like a good idea... :?
Personally, I don't like the idea of a high mount stop light much, because I can't see the top of my other car's bonnet through the rear window as is! :lol:
Author:  Wombat [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Given that the plastic lens is still transparent and hasn't gone opaque with age, the the bulbs are just as bright as any other. If the light is dimmer then there is extra resistance in the circuit and that comes down to corrosion. Clean all contacts with fine emery paper or similar and the earth connections as well. Polish the shiny silver bit at the back of the light as well. And yes LEDs are not as bright as filament bulbs
Author:  9YaTaH [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Oith
Wombat wrote:
If it was me I'd replace the existing switch with a new one - they are available and I would install a centre high mount stop light in the middle top of the back window


Replacement switches can fail within a week after a lot of hard work to fit them....fit an electrical switch out of a clubby...AND....make sure all your connections are good and earths are solid.

PS the wiring over near the tank is notorious for shorts etc....disconnect the battery when cleaning up your connections/removing earths etc
Author:  TK [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
this is what you need,
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/MMTL0 ... Detail.cfm
Author:  spraycanmansam [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
TK wrote:
this is what you need,
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/MMTL0 ... Detail.cfm


That is extremely cool... I must go buy them now! :P :D
Author:  drmini in aust [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've fitted a Hella LED Matrix high level brake light to both our registered Minis.
p/no is 5239. made in UnZud. 8)
This is listed `for stationwagon/van' and suits rear screen angles from 57° to 80°. Fine on a Mini, sedan or van.

I got them from Autobarn. :wink:
Author:  pristic [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yeah, I have one in my car too... I think it saved my rear end more than once.
Now I am going to install a Clubby switch instead of the stupid, pathetic, dont work crap of a pressure switch.

Its brand new and I have to press the brakes so hard to engage it, its ridiculous.

Pete.
Author:  sox61 [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have them....
Been told by mates they are better
Image

I think they work well compared to the standard bulbs... I also have a high centre mount led strip which i think is worth putting in any mini.

edit: also have switch located on brake pedal- never fails, unlike that damn pressure switch :x
Author:  Caponix [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
somebody on car domain and i think here as well has those LED taillights...
from memory it was a red car


edit: ^^^^^^ THATS the one 8)
Author:  Tadhg [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
That looks great Sox... 8)
So, given they're the three screw setup, is it possible and/or difficult to change from a two screw setup (like I have) to a three screw setup (to accommodate the LED's)? I know that just updating the covers will improve visibility, but going to LED's also should improve the longevity of the lights. And, with a bank of lights like that, there's no excuse for people missing them! :lol: And it updates blinkers as well as brake lights. :)
That said, maybe I should look at adding a high level brake light, at the bottom of the rear screen... As I mentioned, I sit too high (on round backed early seats) to see horizontally out the back already. :lol:
Author:  Asphalt [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Original Partnumber for peadal-mounted brakelight-swicht is 13H3735
(BMK1903A for lock nut)

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=34531

Image
Author:  1071 [ Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
In the old days you would install 6 volt bulbs in turn and stop lights. They won't last as long as 12 v bulbs but its not as if you need to change them every fortnight.

Try taking your taillights apart and cleaning the tinfoil relectors inside. The old seals are not much good and the inside of the lights get remarkably dusty.

LEDs are actually brighter but the light doesn'r spread. this means that the apparent brightness changes dramatically depending on the angle you view them from.

Cheers, Ian
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