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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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ricebowl wrote: |
Well, I finally got my "Super Intelligent" third brake light installed. I have to be honest, it puts out a great amount of light, but they should've called it the "Super, but not-so-sticky Light"... |
How ironic! For the second time in a year, mine (an earlier version of your light) has fallen off the window too. I decided today, after disconnecting the wires (they were hooked into trailer wiring) that I'd had enough of scraping off old glue from the glass, which has cutouts in the tint making it a tad more difficult. So, I glued Rare Earth magnets to the mounts and "stuck" the light to the body's metal above the rear shelf (didn't want to do anything permanent with this light; it's old and starting to fall apart). It's at about the same level as the tint cutout for it too. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
Edit: Forgot to post pics! Magnets didn't work so I broke down and used industrial strength Velcro.
_________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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ricebowl Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2011 Posts: 48 Location: Louisville, KY
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I finally got my "Super Intelligent" third brake light installed. I have to be honest, it puts out a great amount of light, but they should've called it the "Super, but not-so-sticky Light".
I installed it at the top of the back window, ran the hot wire under the weather striping down to the left brake light and spliced in behind there (this was the easy part). I used the VW factory center screw of the top curtain rod for the ground (plenty of clearance to close the curtains btw).
The problem was two-fold, the adhesive sucks, and the wires are way thinner than the wires on a cheap set of headphones. So when the light would fall, it would hang for a second by the ground wire then the wire would break. After this happened several times and the ground wire became too short to reach the center screw, I had to splice in another piece of wire to make up the difference. But not before making sure that the effin light wouldnt fall down again. So, out of frustration I Gorilla glued it.
So now its not going anywhere and it lights up. I do see it when it comes on, but just enough so its not obnoxious. Because of this I have realized that my brake lights come on way too late, and my brake light pressure switches need to be replaced, which reminds me, I need to order a couple right now. _________________ Have fun and stay safe,
-Eriic |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
The Good Luck Buy, Super Intelligent Stop Beam:
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That looks like an updated version of the one on my van. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
that center screw on my curtain rod had a 1/4" spacer behind it. I do not recall whether that is original or if I added it (and a slightly longer screw) years ago to facilitate closing. |
stock original _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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SL1 Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2010 Posts: 251 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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These lights are great
I put one on last year and no problems - though the adhesive did let go in the summer sunshine, I replaced it with some industrial stick-on velcro and it hasn't moved since.
clean off the glass with some alcohol before you apply them. _________________ Steve
1985 GL Westy - 'Bullwinkle'
1978 Super Beetle - 'Rocky' |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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presslab wrote: |
...Hey that's really quite nice! How hard is it to close the curtains behind the light? |
Easy & total closure, but... that center screw on my curtain rod had a 1/4" spacer behind it. I do not recall whether that is original or if I added it (and a slightly longer screw) years ago to facilitate closing. |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
Summers420us wrote: |
How about a pic of it installed? |
The Good Luck Buy, Super Intelligent Stop Beam:
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Hey that's really quite nice! How hard is it to close the curtains behind the light? _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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ricebowl Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2011 Posts: 48 Location: Louisville, KY
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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This is the nicest third brakelight I've seen on here yet. I just ordered mine. Ordered the exact same "Super Intelligent" light through ebay though since the GoodLuckBuy website said they were on vacation because of Chinese New Year and would process orders on their return. I paid $8 more, but I didnt want to wait or risk getting lost in the shuffle.
I also like the programmable flasher module. I'm going to wait on that upgrade until I get the light installed and see how it looks on its own.
I'll post pics and let you know how the transaction/shipping went when I get it installed. _________________ Have fun and stay safe,
-Eriic |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:02 am Post subject: |
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Summers420us wrote: |
How about a pic of it installed? |
The Good Luck Buy, Super Intelligent Stop Beam:
I already had wiring in place from an incandescent light used previously. I ran the hot wire thru the tube that contains defroster wires, then along the inside of the hatch above the window & out thru a drilled hole. The light is grounded at the center screw for the curtain rod.
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Summers420us Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2010 Posts: 759 Location: Amissville, Virginia
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:35 am Post subject: |
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How about a pic of it installed? |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
...I installed that light 20+ years ago -- someday I'll upgrade to a LED. Someday. |
I now have an LED brake light from here:
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/super-intelligent-high-...e-car.html
It's 'Super Intelligent' (I can use all the help I can get) and at under 10 bucks including shipping was certainly super cheap.
Seems pretty bright to me -- 40 LEDs -- this isn't mysterious technology, just bright lights. Mounted to the glass -- couldn't be easier and it can be aimed for the best angle.
The shipping (from Hong Kong) was immediate and I had it in about 2 weeks.
Time will tell how it holds up but I thought I'd mention an inexpensive source as an alternative to looking for junked Volvos or the high-end Euro product. |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Altoona wrote: |
Hey Mad,
Any issue with closing your curtains fully with that installed? I was worried that unit might be too bulky to allow the curtains to close cleanly. |
no issues at all, remember I have a piece of irrigation tubing running there but it just sits under the curtain rod and I push it mid point next to the screw that separates left and right curtains so no problems....
_________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Altoona Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 505
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Mad,
Any issue with closing your curtains fully with that installed? I was worried that unit might be too bulky to allow the curtains to close cleanly. |
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EastWest Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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OOPs! confused Paul's west with Jeff's subaru engine conversion. Sorry about that Jeff. |
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EastWest Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Paul and Jeff for the added info.
Will start looking up availability in the car salvage lots for the Volvo S70 wagons.
BTW, I can see that Paul has gone Vanaru. I'm not there just yet. Still got some years left in my West's engine. But have been driving daily, Subarus since 1999. Cheers!
Rick |
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Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1896 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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i used some velcro to keep it secured in place, but it fits snugly on the A/C cabinet. The brake light has power wire and a ground. I used an existing ground that was right there by the cabinet so I only had to run one wire down to the tail light.
Very simple install.
Paul _________________ '89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
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a914622 Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004 Posts: 840 Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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The lights are from 97 and newer volvo wagons. I think it was a s70? the rear glass has the same angle as the vanagon so you can also glue the right to the glass if you want. Thats how i ran mine,the wires are fished thru the stock ruber boot that the defrost runs thru. The leds only use a tiny wire. My ground is the screw for the curtins. If you cut off the back like Pual did the cutins will close even when glue to the glass
They are bright LEDs. You can see the red glow in the socker moms eyes at the stop lights. A mildly comforting sight
jeff _________________ 87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru |
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EastWest Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Franklinstower..really neat install. I have a '90 w/AC in White body also. From what Volvo year did your 'salvage brake light' come from ? Is this LED or bulb? How did you attach to A/C shelf. There's non mention of Ground wire...did I miss something ? My West is in for a full paint job (her first in 22 years!!) so I want to have a Brake Light mod -from the inside- before having the windows tinted. Thanks. |
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Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1896 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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i installed a volvo third brake light this afternoon. Thanks to Jeff (a914622) for the light. Free from the local pick a part! It came out of a Volvo Wagon. He had his mounted to the rear window, but I found that it fits snugly onto the A/C cabinet shelf.
For a nice fit, I cut off extra plastic mounting on the back side of the light that was not needed:
there is a little tab on the back of the light that happens to create a nice snug fight on the shelf return lip.
Also I found I didn't need to try to fish the wire down by the A/C hoses. I was able to "saw" the wire back and forth into position right where the cabinet and body intersect. Then I grabed the wire from the engine capartment and soldered it inline with my trailer wires. I probable spent an hour on this total.
Great Mod for Safety!
Paul _________________ '89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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madspaniard,
Good stuff!
Wish I read this before adding more than a few vampire clips to my van. Oh well, I have a few months before camping season to get things rewired the CORRECT way!
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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