weak 3rd brake light Options

[Literati914]

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

[Literati914]

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.