Reverse light alternative - 50w halogen bulb replacement?

[storminmike]

Well they've arrived.......all 12 of them....super snail mail from China.

Not fitted them yet as I've only just opened the packet and connected one to a laptop power supply albeit 15v.

First impressions insde the house were OMG what a wide angle light they throw....this may or may not be an issue. How they wouldn't blind anyone behind I don't know?

Grant, did you get this issue?

Whilst waiting I've been pondering on the retrofit.

One option crossed my mind that may avoid drilling holes. I thought...do they fit insde the PDC shells (not replace the existing ones) for I could mount them on the side of the bumper pointing back and slightly to the side. I haven't got the IS covers/fins at the side so they could go under the colour code bit in the groove

I thought of this as it's the bumpers (looking out of the mirrors) that on the dark lane reversing that I look at most.

That's 2....the other 2 could be snuck in somewhere near (or behind) the tow bar blank plate

Anyway....if they blind other drivers at the price they might end up lighting the garden plants anyhow

[X5-D-Sport]

Hi Mike,
I fitted the outer ones so that they were gently directed at the kerb & down a bit, so with the mirror lowered I can see the kerb edge and precisely put the rear wheel exactly where I wanted it - 1/2" from the kerb every time.

[storminmike]

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
Hi Mike,
I fitted the outer ones so that they were gently directed at the kerb & down a bit, so with the mirror lowered I can see the kerb edge and precisely put the rear wheel exactly where I wanted it - 1/2" from the kerb every time.
[/quote]

Cheers.

I had a spare shell too for the rear PDCs...a left over when someone merged their Honda bonnet with my rear bumbper. The bulb surprising fits well with a small gap for a grommit

Regardless of which I've got a cigarette lighter cable extension lead (no idea where it came from) so I'll have a play at the weekend in the dark before commiting to drilling the precios new bumper.

OT slightly...the old bumper was replaced under insurance last summer. I'd painted a fake iS lower bit as one other member has.....and they painted the new one the same  ......was like that when I got it guv

Back on Topic....any ideas on what kind of grommit to buy?

[X5-D-Sport]

Depends wherr youre going to fit them Mike.
I fitter mine into rubber grommets, as I decided to use a different LED bulb... and went for thenones you just had delivered..
So, in theory you can just drill a small hole on the valence area each side of the exhaust pull off blankers.
Just ensure they locate the same place each side, or it will look tacky.
... and ensure there is space behind where you drill, as there is a body seam that will prevent the fitting if youre not careful... :blink:

GB

[storminmike]

Got the grommets, just ordered some connectors too...well lots in fact because I hate paying Halfords prices. I mus have shed loads of wire in the house too. Had a quick peak and tested the wires too so if I haven't got other chores to do and it's warm I'll tackle it next week.

Cheers for the advice

Mike

[AW8]

Interesting thread but does make me wonder what alternatives others have considered in terms of straight swap for the cluster fitted bulbs that are suitable wirhout causing overloads or dash messages.

[storminmike]

[quote="AW8"]
Interesting thread but does make me wonder what alternatives others have considered in terms of straight swap for the cluster fitted bulbs that are suitable wirhout causing overloads or dash messages.
[/quote]

....at the beggining of the thread I had suggested

a halogen bulb upgradefrom 21w to 55w.....melting risk???
mini hids...not very fast to fire up and would throw errors unless resistors added

The biggest issue seems to be the bulb is side on

If I was (chip foose) creative I'd have gone the whole bunch of LED rectangular fittment inside and slightly recessed in a faux exhaust tip......or found  way to integrate them into the factory housing

In fact....if I had the balls and it wasn't a daily driver the this would be preferred option

Still cant make my mind up as the whether to drill holes or drop into extra PDC shells...plenty of time till weekend

[Horizon]

I'd go for LED, very low wattage and no heat compared to halogens that get mad hot, just run a feed from your reverse lights to operate a cheap relay £5 Halfords, I fitted one of them on my reverse camera and it doesn't interfere with the canbus' so won't throw any errors.
I would drill the vallance and use grommets as suggested, they look fine on the black plastic rear vallance.

[AW8]

Thanks for replying. Apologies if I missed that earlier content.