Styling LED 3rd Brake Light Project

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Styling LED 3rd Brake Light Project

JumpJet

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After a couple near misses with other drivers not paying attention and almost rear-ending me at speed, I wanted to rig up a third/center brake light for the little 500. I needed something a more eye-level position and I wanted it to be as visible as possible. I also wanted to make it as integrated and seamless as I could. I decided I'd try to do something with the over-engine intake panel.

If money were no object and/or I had the fabrication equipment at my disposal, I would craft a custom lens that would fit in the slots (and still may come resto time), but for now this should suffice.

So I took the panel off and determined where to start. I fabbed up a template with some cardboard and slotted between the vents to make it fit as flush as possible. The LED strips are only ~2mm thick, so I didn't need a lot of clearance.

From there, I got some thin sheet steel and copied my template. The metal was painted gloss white to reflect light and prevent corrosion.

Then, I cut and wired up the LED strips. Rather than testing the continuity with a multimeter throughout, I just used a 9V battery for ease.

For added visibility, I incorporated a flasher unit that is popular on motorcycles here in the US. It has 10 different flash/strobe options and simply wires inline to the lamp. The use of LEDs allowed me to use the strobe functions vice just a simple flash.



The only step remaining is to finish wiring it into the car and button it all up. I'm not 100% on the legality of it, but seeing as they're common on bikes and this is a classic, I can probably get away with it. I'll post up a final video once it's integrated.
 

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That's really well thought out and executed.

I keep well ahead (honest) or behind the traffic and other people not seeing my stop-lights is not a problem. But this has got me thinking that there maybe is a way to remove the danger that I do worry about because of the poor output of the tail-lights.

At this time of year in Scotland it's almost impossible to go out for a day's driving without needing to use lights. Just now we have exactly seven hours' daylight. (n)

Having driven up a few wrong turnings when rallying a few weeks ago I also became aware of how useful a reversing light would be; it might also help me to avoid scraping the sides of my tiny car-port.

Looking around, there is a good selection of multi-function LED lights; it would be good to see if I could fit something behind the grille in the way that you have done.

A screenshot of examples of what is available attached.
 

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