Considering third brake light.

[Willhelm]

I just did a search and reviewed the basics including options. My general plan is to use an old school round lamp mounted in the interior behind the rear window. I'm curious what the least damaging and easiest way to tap into the 12v brake light current would be. I would prefer not to drill any holes to run the lead but I could justify it under the circumstances. Any tips welcome or links to informative threads. Thanks. ('72 super)

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Blaze...tid=433781

[Nigelbug]

That lamp looks quite big, how would you attach it to the glass?

[Eric&Barb]

Problem with a lamp like that inside the VW is you will get a lot of reflected light in the interior at night that will be annoying. Plus harder to see during the day due to reflection of the sky on the window.

Found out many years ago that yellow is much more easily noticed (after installing euro yellow topped taillights on a 63 KG with 12 volt system). Mounted small vintage trailer lights to the license plate frame on our early buses and bugs, only needs one small hole in the engine lid with grommet for the wire or wires to pass through.

There are lots of LED type lights out at the all car swap meets you could check out if you prefer.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Willhelm]

The light would be mounted to the cargo cover behind the seat. I am still entertaining LEDs but they seem pretty out of place on a 1972 vehicle. I could make a visor type shroud to contain the light leaks into the cabin. Mainly I need the short route for picking up the 12volts from the activated brake light circuit regardless of lamp style. I'm pretty sure the lens would legally have to be red here. NY state is pretty particular about that kind of thing.

[Eric&Barb]

Bet there are plenty of vintage automotive lights that would fit the bill for you on Ebay.

So far over 250,000 miles and 20 years on just our 1960 panel walk thru camper conversion and traveled most of the states West of the Mississippi, and no police problems so far with the yellow license plate lights.

If you were to be replacing the taillights it would be a legal problem. Because lights on the license plate frame are totally an accessory there is more than likely not going to be any legal problem.
Case in point is the fellow out your way that installed light bulbs all over his Beetle. He got a ticket from a cop and the judge threw it out due to no legal standing.
Not sure if this is the same Beetle or owner:


Link


And:


Link


For a more stealth look you could install lights inside the intake vents.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[baccaruda]

Some other members have mounted them in the engine bay so they shine through the air vents, which seems to me to be an ideal solution.

[JerryMCarter1]

I am still entertaining LEDs

GWD I hope so !

Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

[Q-Dog]

I have seen hot rods with license plate frames with a 3rd brake light built in. Might be worth a look? Check out a place like Speedway motors for that and other options.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Willhelm]

Ok, thanks for the thoughts. Now, what is the slickest way to tap into the 12 volts for the activated break light circuit. You all realize I can't run LEDs now out of pure spite towards Jerry!

I do like the lighted grill idea, that would be trick.

[Eric&Barb]

Just wire into the brake wire junction in left rear engine compartment where all the wires connect from the taillights to the wiring up front.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Willhelm]

Thank you! I'll look around and locate that. I think I'm set folks but feel free to expand the thread it might help others.

[JerryMCarter1]

Anywhere on the brake light wires

For a led - Damn glad someone knocked some sense into you Boy

That light looked like something someone would put on a freekin rat rod !
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

[Willhelm]

" (b) The commissioner of motor vehicles is hereby authorized and
empowered to promulgate rules and regulations with respect to lamps,
reflectors and signaling devices, their number, type, design,
construction, location, attachment and use on vehicles being driven,
operated or parked on any public highway or street in this state. In
promulgating such rules and regulations the commissioner shall be guided
by the requirements with regard to lights, reflectors, signaling devices
and associated equipment on vehicles of rules and regulations
promulgated by the United States department of transportation."
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUE...ARGET=VIEW

Onto the the United States department of transportation.


Item Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses


Taillamps 2 red J585e, September 1977.
Stoplamps 2 red SAE J586, February 1984.
High-mounted stoplamp 1 red J186a, September 1977.
License plate lamp 1 white J587, October 1981.
Parking lamps 2 amber or white J222, December 1970.
Reflex reflectors 4 red; 2 amber J594f, January 1977.
Intermediate side reflex reflectors 2 amber J594f, January 1977.
Intermediate side marker lamps 2 amber J592e, July 1972.
Side marker lamps 2 red; 2 amber J592e, July 1972.
Backup lamp 1 white J593c, February 1968.
Turn signal lamps 2 red or amber; SAE J588, November 1984.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.108

Ok, this would be an additional item (not a required safety item) but it sure looks like red would be the smart way to go. If there where ever a guy born to get the dumbest tickets it's me.

[JerryMCarter1]

hang any thing on that car you like
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I think we have a bunch of garbled up bullshit just like that in Arizona and Washington
All the street rodders laugh their asses of - In fact At Sema there was a booth of Lobbyists that were processing some suits to that order to different Supreme State courts.
People can make laws and think they are big wiggers but then when challenged the truth and rational comes out in the final courts.

If some police officer stopped you for a third light - - which is now mandatory on every automobile sold in the USA we you must look like a terrorist or at least he has you mixed up with one

Jerry
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

[Nepenthe88]

I put one in my bug about a month ago. The way I have it done you can't actually tell anything's there until you romp on the brake. They're $8 harbor freight strip LED's adhered to the inside of the rear rubber window molding. I stacked 2 on top of one another

putting them in the vent's is kinda cool, but is way more work

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a Black & Blue Su-BUS-aroo

Follow my adventures in the GoWAND'RLoST bus on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gowandrlost/

[cutter8174]

Nepenthe88,

How did you access the rear vents like you have the lights pics in the second one. I really like that an am just looking for ideas on how to mount them in there. Also where did you get them from? Harbor freight also?
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1972 Super little toy
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel big toy

[Nepenthe88]

[JerryMCarter1]

Yeaa !

I am going to put some of those on my vert
_________________
Experience always triumphs over hearsay and You get to select which theory to believe

[Eric&Barb]

[Willhelm]

I have better things to do than sit while I'm written up, chat with the DA, and then make an appearance even if it's dismissed. Been through that, total time suck. If you don't live here don't argue, this really is a police state. They will stop you for tinting violations, lighting violations (rice burner street lighting), no front plate, failure to dim quickly, on and on. Not bullshit, first and second hand accounts to back those examples up. The best one? A friend got ticketed for driving with his head on his hand accused of cell phone use (even though he volunteered to have the officer examine his cell phone to prove his innocence)! If you're from out of state you might get a pass but residents are "encouraged" to comply fully with all traffic codes. I stand my ground, "red" just seems intelligent.

That being said, the LED strips look good in both locations in those photos. I'm going to stop tonight to look over options at the local parts house. The vent placement looks a little tricky after I took a look at the sheet metal and potential placement. We'll see.