 weak 3rd brake light |
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| Literati914 |
 Nov 22 2024, 05:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member  Group: Members Posts: 1,733 Joined: 16-November 06 From: Dallas, TX Member No.: 7,222 Region Association: Southwest Region  |
I just hooked up my 3rd brake light and so far, I'm a little underwhelmed. The LED strip (which is advertised as being great for turn signals, parking lights, and brakes including 3rd brake lights), comes with a 3-wire adapter so that you can run it so that it's also on when the driving lights are on (pos 1 on light switch, +2 of course), and that's how I hooked it up. So, dim when not depressing the brakes is expected. However, even then it's way dimmer than the incandescent tail-lights are. BTW, this LED strip 3rd light is piggy-backing off of the outter most rear parking bulbs (which are small incandescent atm) - could that be the problem? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
When on-the-brakes it's a tab brighter but definitely not what it should be. Any ideas as to what the cause may be? thx |
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| technicalninja |
Nov 22 2024, 05:14 PM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,003 Joined: 31-January 23 From: Granbury Texas Member No.: 27,135 Region Association: Southwest Region 
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Hook it up direct drive on a 12v battery.
Still dim? You're screwed! Nice and bright? Diagnose/repair excessive loss in brake light circuit. LEDs normally take significantly less power than incandescents and I'm betting on crappy LEDs being your issue. |
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| Cairo94507 |
Nov 22 2024, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 10,091 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California
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I kind of think having the 3rd brake light serve as a taillight as well as a brake light defeats the purpose of the 3rd brake lite when it comes to grabbing one's attention when you step on the brakes. Just a thought. BTW, the 3rd brake light on my car came off a Chevy Suburban- I got the part number from Eric at PMB- it was cheap, like $20 on eBay and works great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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| Literati914 |
Nov 22 2024, 07:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,733 Joined: 16-November 06 From: Dallas, TX Member No.: 7,222 Region Association: Southwest Region |
QUOTE(Cairo94507 @ Nov 22 2024, 06:44 PM)  I kind of think having the 3rd brake light serve as a taillight as well as a brake light defeats the purpose of the 3rd brake lite when it comes to grabbing one's attention when you step on the brakes. Just a thought. BTW, the 3rd brake light on my car came off a Chevy Suburban- I got the part number from Eric at PMB- it was cheap, like $20 on eBay and works great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Actually ever since I installed it this way, I’ve been questioning why. I guess just cause I could (and the adapter was provided). But yeah, I’m gonna go back and simplify the wiring to only be a brake light. As for getting another light, I won’t be doing that.. this kit included items that allowed for very thin mounting that’s integrated into the horizontal trim at the top of the targa bar. A feature I really like. I may have to source a better led strip… or just add leds at the rest of the taillight spots. |
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| burton73 |
Nov 22 2024, 09:57 PM
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#5
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,671 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California
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My 6 by PMB with 3rd brake light.
Best Bob B  |
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| Spoke |
Nov 22 2024, 10:41 PM
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#6
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,085 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None
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As long as you have 12V on the LED, it should be at its brightest. This is the only wiring issue you could have.
What is the part number on the strip you used? Here's how I installed and connected the 3rd brake light on my 914: Spoke's 3rd Brake Installation  |
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