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Electric Reverse Light too Dim
parkiboy - 14/7/12 at 11:45 AM

Hi, i jave just been doing some final checks for my IVA on monday and have noticed the reverse light for my electric reverse is rather dim, how can i solve this issue?

thanks

Ben_Copeland - 14/7/12 at 11:47 AM

Where is it getting its power from? If its being fed from the same source as the motor then its because the motor is drawing all the power away.

parkiboy - 14/7/12 at 11:49 AM

i honestly couldnt tell you without ripping it all to bits, it was already wired when i bought the car

Staple balls - 14/7/12 at 12:13 PM

Does it use a proper bulb or is it an LED jobber?

Thinking you could probably get a better result with LEDs, as they're generally lower voltage so you can cheat with resistors to make sure they get about the right amount of power despite the load on the battery (ie. get them to be bright with 9v going in, rather than 12)

loggyboy - 14/7/12 at 12:18 PM

Check the Earth, then if they are filment bulbs, consider upgrading to a 10w bulb.

parkiboy - 14/7/12 at 12:58 PM

Thanks I will give that a try, in failing that is there anything I can put in circuit with the light to boost the power it receives?

Coopz - 14/7/12 at 01:03 PM

I failed on this...I originally had it wired from the motor, when the reverse ran it drew too much power therefore a dim reverse light. Swapped it too the switch passed second time round.

GOJO - 14/7/12 at 03:01 PM

You need to know if the switch supplies the starter direct or if the switch feeds a 30 amp relay, i suspect not, if is fed by a relay, and you have this trouble take a feed from the reverse button/switch or at the trigger at the relay and feed the lamp direct

parkiboy - 14/7/12 at 08:27 PM

i have tried a 10w bulb but it is still too dim

i'm going to struggle for time to run the wire from the switch through the tunnel with the rest of the wires, would it be frowned upon by the tester if i just taped it to the chassis or the floor for the time being?

owelly - 14/7/12 at 08:32 PM

Try a 6volt lamp.

parkiboy - 14/7/12 at 08:38 PM

ok ill nip to maplins tomorrow im guessing they will sell them, failing that i have just remembered i have put in a wire from the front of the car to the rear ready for a fuel sender that is not being used, i will use this for the time being

parkiboy - 15/7/12 at 07:20 PM

I had a go wiring straight from the switch but it didn't seem to make a difference so I did some experimenting with some bulbs tried a load of different wattage with no joy but a 21w fast reaction bulb seems to have done the trick!

Ill find out of its good enough or not at my test tomorrow!