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3rd brake light mod.
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=10706		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  t3rra [ Sun Mar 27, 2011 12:35 am ]
Post subject:  3rd brake light mod.
My rear fog lights had been temperamental from some time and I knew it was just a bulb conection issue. So today I removed the rear bulb cluster housing and unclip the board from the plastic housing. I noticed the wiring was all jointed by spade fittings. This sprung an idea.

Using the same LED strips from maplins I could run a 3rd brake light. All I needed was 2 meters off cable one 4 power one for ground. And some red LEDs. I got 15 cm which was 9 bulbs on 3 strips. Looking back now could off prob gone a bit wider. Maybe 12/15 bulbs.

Using a dermail with a polishing bit, I cleaned up all the bulb housing and conection points. Then went over with 800 then 1200 sand paper and finished with some wire wool. I also wire wooled all the bulb casing. Then cut off the old spade heads and fitted new ones with full protective boots.

3rd brake light. On the pansangers brake light bulb I replaced the spade joint with a piggy back spade joint, so there was a 2nd new connection joint, this would power the LEDs used 4 the 3rd brake light. I solider the 2 2 meter lengths off wire 2 the same left end off the led strip. Put one spade conector one the power (used red) and a ground ring on the (brown) earth wire. Then Covered the LEDs face in a strip off black duct tape, used a pin 2 prick/split a hole over each bulb, the used my finger nail 2 stretch the tape over the bulbs. Then taped the wires togther, I found in long vertical strips was easyer and quicker the wraping.

Then placed the LEDs in the top center off the hatch, between the headlining and the hatch seal. then tucked wires under the head lining and behind the carpet but the sunroof motor, joined the power cable 2 the brake light and the ground 2 the ground point in the rear besides the same light.

What's really cool is the LEDs can't be seen! Un till they light up!

So in all it cost about £13 pounds,

3 strips off red LEDs Could use more
2x 2 meters 32.g 2 mm cable
10 spade joints (red ones as they fit the 2mm cable)
1 piggy back joint red/blue (if it larger just fold the cable back over 2 make it thicker)
1 ring with a 6mm hole. Again red/blue

About 3 hours if ur going 2 clean and refresh all the bulb joints. I think the bulbs seem
Brighter and stronger now.
Author:  t3rra [ Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 3rd brake light mod.
Just noticed on eBay you buy strips all ready wired up! And cheap. So no need 2soilder should make things a lot tidyer, however the wires may need lengthing.

I used the flat cap/ lenses less type.
Author:  rav [ Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 3rd brake light mod.
Any chance of pictures of this please? I am very keen on this mod as it may stop from a rear end collision one day.
Author:  t3rra [ Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 3rd brake light mod.
Yeah, iv taken some pics I will post up, went I get the chance, need 2 use pc rather then I phone. Could email u some If u can't wait
Author:  sstman [ Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 3rd brake light mod.
I have done this mod on my 968, bought the red LED strip via E bay, they come in a flexible strip about10/11" long, double sided tape sticks them right up against the hatch lip with the middle LED lined at the centre line of the car roof. (well with the rear antenna) Works very well, got the idea when I came up behind one of the new Bentley coupé's recently, and the entire rear window edge is the 'third' brake light as a strip of about 60/70 LED's, I bought two strips, of 24 LED's, but only ended up using the one which looks great.

Here is the E bay link If anyone wants to do similar :- Item number = 250711496897
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