59 beetle, hard to see at night

[Danny604]

My 59 beetle is really hard to see at night, what is the best rear light bulb to use? Ive bought some siemens LED but they were actually dimmer than the off the shelf 1154 incandescent I had before, I guess the LED relies on the reflection in a modern tail light, which the beetle does not have. What are you guys using?

The front has an H4, so we are all good there.

[Eric&Barb]

How much of the voltage at the battery is getting to the taillights??

Have you removed the defuser/dimming lens in each TL??

Were you using red LEDs? White ones will not produce a whole lot of red that will get thru the glass lens.

You should seek LED lights to install on the rear license plate frame. Yellow L/R sides of the frame for TS/brakes helps a ton for drivers behind you to understand where you are going. Can add red running lights on top and/or bottom.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[wayne1230cars]

I had the same concern with my 6 volt 1960 bug regarding visibility both at night and during daylight hours. I purchased the LED rear light kit from the Samba classifieds sold by Chip B. The rear tail, brake and signals are substantially brighter with this kit. I was very pleased with the quality of the kit. Even in daylight the brake and turn signals are much more visible.

You are looking at $100 for the kit plus an LED compatible flasher @$30. I know this is obviously a lot more money than just buying a couple bulbs. I debated about buying the kit but I’m glad I did. I knew I would be keeping the car for a long time and I just felt that the increased visibility justified the cost.
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1960 beetle
1970 beetle convertible

[my59]

Check for voltage drop; cleaning every connection in the wiring path usually helps. My issue is that the difference between the rear tail lights vs brake lights being on is not that great; you might watch to think 3rd brake light or rear window or in grille under the window.

Driving a black car with 6v lights that are compromised requires additional situational awareness.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[sunroof]

I bought a set of these:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=892796

And they are amazing. I highly recommend them for anyone with snowflake tail lights.

Don
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Better and better mistakes!

[vwuberalles]

My dad has a set like what sunroof posted on his 59, they're a huge improvement!
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[wayne1230cars]

[Zwitterkafer]

Here's a much cheaper approach, assuming that full voltage is reaching the tail-lights. It addresses one of the main problems....the lack of contrast between tail-light on and brake light on:

1) Remove the dark plastic diffuser.
2) Solder on a dedicated ground wire to the bulb holder. Connect wire to a good ground in engine compartment.
3) Add a series resistance to the feed to the tail-light circuit. Choose a resistance that dims the tail-lights back down to normal when viewed though the diffuser-removed lens. (IIRC a couple of 6V bulbs solder-wired in parallel and suitably mounted in a small housing can do the trick)

Voila: Brake / Turn signal brightness & contrast improved w.r.t. tail-lights.
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"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC

[Chickensoup]

ALWAYS go with LED's unless your an absolute purist. they are better in every way and last forever. stop using old tech

[Dangermouse]

[Danny604]

i should have mentioned the car is 12V. I will get a set of those LED's.

Thanks for the information

[HBRag]

Here is mine with Chips Snowflake LED lights, and a row of red LEDs inside the top vent. I ran an extra wire down the left side roof channel, off the brake switch, before the turn signal switch.

Alan

[vwuberalles]

The LED strip in the vents looks awesome!!!
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040