Thanks Jim, not sure re colour but I will look next month when I'm in a Walmart for you mate.
Tony.
My Z4................... My way.
- Thread starter t-tony
- Start date
Tony.
Easily remedied young AlbertExcellent write up Tony and the blue light is very subtle
I have a blue light bulb in my interior light but it sends my eyes funny when it comes on in the dark.
Still not fitted those footwell lights I bought from you ages ago.
Tony.
At the beginning of last week I had to change the bulb in my O/S indicator side repeater light, when I removed the light unit to change the bulb I was quite surprised to see only one 501 capless bulb that was mounted to one side of the light unit. No wonder they're a little dim.
As the day wore on a plan emerged to make an improvement to these lights. Searching on eBay I found these pre-wired bulb holders for £3.60 inc. P&P
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-RUBBER-PUSH-FIT-T10-12mm-BULB-HOLDERS-PRE-WIRED-INDICATOR-SOCKET-SIDE-LIGHT/172902990643?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
I found that 15mm copper pipe was an ideal push fit for these rubber bulb holders and I cut a couple of pieces 17mm long.
The light units just needed another hole drilling at the opposite side to allow the copper tube to be glued in place.
I used a step drill but could only get to within one size of where I needed to be because of the length of the drill bit (care required here) and I ended up enlarging the hole with a Dremmel type tool. The light units are fairly shallow.
I super glued some Ford sump plug sealing rings onto the copper tube to allow it to keep the tube at the correct height till the JB Weld set hard overnight. They can be left on there anyway.
The rubber bulb holders come with about 4" of cable pre-wired and I spliced these into the original bulb wiring.
The blue and yellow wire is the positive and the brown the earth wire (it is not too big a deal how you connect these as the LEDs are polarity sensitive and you would just need to turn it 180 deg if it didn't light up).
A couple of laps of insulation tape on each wire,
Then round all the wires together.
I fitted some amber coloured LED style bulbs in each holder, £3.49 inc P&P (4)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T10-CAR-BULBS-LED-ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-6-SMD-XENON-WHITE-W5W-501-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB/162449328808?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=461469008719&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
See what a perfect fit the bulb holders are in the copper tube.
Cost of LEDs and bulb holders £7.09p
In the video you can see the improvement in light output at 10 seconds after the second bulb is introduced.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJBLCb3DhAM&feature=youtu.be
Another little video showing 10 sec. of 1 501 normal bulb (very yellow), 10-21 sec. of 1 amber LED and 21-30 sec. of 2 amber LED (much more orange colour).
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82TXzSYmYY0&feature=youtu.be
A very satisfactory modification for me as it gets very difficult exiting our works car park as dark nights arrive in a couple of weeks.
Tony.
As the day wore on a plan emerged to make an improvement to these lights. Searching on eBay I found these pre-wired bulb holders for £3.60 inc. P&P
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-RUBBER-PUSH-FIT-T10-12mm-BULB-HOLDERS-PRE-WIRED-INDICATOR-SOCKET-SIDE-LIGHT/172902990643?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
I found that 15mm copper pipe was an ideal push fit for these rubber bulb holders and I cut a couple of pieces 17mm long.
The light units just needed another hole drilling at the opposite side to allow the copper tube to be glued in place.
I used a step drill but could only get to within one size of where I needed to be because of the length of the drill bit (care required here) and I ended up enlarging the hole with a Dremmel type tool. The light units are fairly shallow.
I super glued some Ford sump plug sealing rings onto the copper tube to allow it to keep the tube at the correct height till the JB Weld set hard overnight. They can be left on there anyway.
The rubber bulb holders come with about 4" of cable pre-wired and I spliced these into the original bulb wiring.
The blue and yellow wire is the positive and the brown the earth wire (it is not too big a deal how you connect these as the LEDs are polarity sensitive and you would just need to turn it 180 deg if it didn't light up).
A couple of laps of insulation tape on each wire,
Then round all the wires together.
I fitted some amber coloured LED style bulbs in each holder, £3.49 inc P&P (4)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T10-CAR-BULBS-LED-ERROR-FREE-CANBUS-6-SMD-XENON-WHITE-W5W-501-SIDE-LIGHT-BULB/162449328808?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=461469008719&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
See what a perfect fit the bulb holders are in the copper tube.
Cost of LEDs and bulb holders £7.09p
In the video you can see the improvement in light output at 10 seconds after the second bulb is introduced.
Another little video showing 10 sec. of 1 501 normal bulb (very yellow), 10-21 sec. of 1 amber LED and 21-30 sec. of 2 amber LED (much more orange colour).
A very satisfactory modification for me as it gets very difficult exiting our works car park as dark nights arrive in a couple of weeks.
Tony.
Last edited:
Some good plumbing work there mate, the new bulbs give a much improved flash .
.
Cheers mate, I'm happy with them, will hopefully get some video in the dark tomorrow. Family round tomorrow as it's my birthday on Monday and all three grand kids in the next 2 weeks.Some good plumbing work there mate, the new bulbs give a much improved flash
Tony.
Can't believe your turning 74 mateCheers mate, I'm happy with them, will hopefully get some video in the dark tomorrow. Family round tomorrow as it's my birthday on Monday and all three grand kids in the next 2 weeks.
Tony.
EE you cheeky monkey Fit yer own bloody tailgate.
Only giving our Shelly the heads up mate.
Tony.
ps. Wi all the crap that's happened this year mate I almost, I said almost, feel 74
Fit yer own bloody tailgate. Only giving our Shelly the heads up mate.Tony.
ps. Wi all the crap that's happened this year mate I almost, I said almost, feel 74
Most non Z affectionados will not even know that they are indicators and will think that you are driving a fairground attraction.
Got any new stickers lately?.....
Got any new stickers lately?.....
Ouch sounds like some expense will be suffered over the next couple of weeks, they're worth it though ehCheers mate, I'm happy with them, will hopefully get some video in the dark tomorrow. Family round tomorrow as it's my birthday on Monday and all three grand kids in the next 2 weeks.
Tony.
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She'll be on it mate don't you worry and if she's on holiday it'll be me as I now appear to be holiday admin reserve!
Got the tailgate here now and a bumper is on its way.
Got the tailgate here now and a bumper is on its way.
As I told you I got some bloody mahoosive ones Mike, but it's gotten too cold to fit them this year so they'll be going on next year maybe at the same time as my refurbed wheelsMost non Z affectionados will not even know that they are indicators and will think that you are driving a fairground attraction.
Got any new stickers lately?.....
Tony.
Like it, great mod Tony
Thank you Dave, I appreciate that mate.
Tony.
Tony.
Well thought out using readily available materials Tony!! Nicely done and certainly brightens up those side lights, JIM
Thank you Jim. I'll be checking the LED (colour) strips for you in a couple of weeks.
Tony.
Tony.
The design of the side reps has always made me wonder how effective they are viewed from side on. They are entirely dependent on the bodywork reflecting the light - a bit of a problem on dark colours when the car is mucky (not that some get like that ).
Then I noticed how poor side reps are on lots of other cars, especially the door mirror mounted ones. Form over function and all that.
Nice mod
).Then I noticed how poor side reps are on lots of other cars, especially the door mirror mounted ones. Form over function and all that.
Nice mod
Another bit of video added Steve.Some good plumbing work there mate, the new bulbs give a much improved flash
Tony.
Much brighter than the old ones Tony
.
how about using a chrome wrap on the body painted circle around the indicator roundel, That would shine the light out even more...
Well, that is a sort of sticker, that should work well for him.....