944 Cowl 3rd Brake, Anyone using this fixture? Options

[rjames]

It's a great looking setup and what I was originally going to go with.
However, because that location isn't much higher than the taillights, I opted for locating mine under the targa bar. It's not a lot higher, but with these cars being so low, I thought it might help a bit with visibility.

[Cairo94507]

I followed Bob's lead and installed an LED 3rd brake light right under the roll-bar hoop. I do not see it when looking out the rear view mirror and it is as high up as you can get it. It really catches your attention when you step on the brakes. (PS -that's a reflection on the trunk lid, not another light. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif))

OK, small Public Service Announcement: My personal opinion, as small and low as our cars are, this hi-mount LED 3rd brake light is a modification every 914 owner should move to the top of their list. Additionally, @Spoke (Jerry) makes the absolute best LED conversion kits for all of our lights. Truly plug 'n play and they just work. Wake up your lights so people will see your car before it is too late. Way too many distracted drivers on the roads now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ClayPerrine]

Additionally, @Spoke (Jerry) makes the absolute best LED conversion kits for all of our lights. Truly plug 'n play and they just work. Wake up your lights so people will see your car before it is too late. Way too many distracted drivers on the roads now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Don't end up like this:



We even had Spokeworks LED taillights in it. I am firmly in the camp that we need a good third brake light solution that mounts up high on the targa band.

[burton73]

Additionally, @Spoke (Jerry) makes the absolute best LED conversion kits for all of our lights. Truly plug 'n play and they just work. Wake up your lights so people will see your car before it is too late. Way too many distracted drivers on the roads now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Don't end up like this:



We even had Spokeworks LED taillights in it. I am firmly in the camp that we need a good third brake light solution that mounts up high on the targa band.

I do not this to sound weird but, I have seen young guys in Japanese cars with super strobe flashers in their brake lights. Not sure if they are legal but they put out a great warning for a person that is on there phone or whatever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spW56EWNNA

Bob B

[Cairo94507]

I have a 3rd brake light flasher module on my 6 and actually turned it off so it does not flash (plan on removing it one of these days entirely) because it flashed 6 times and was extremely annoying to anyone behind me. I would have been fine if it just flashed once and went solid and had a time delay function for sitting in stop and go traffic so it was not constantly flashing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Spoke]

@Steve

Steve,
Getting closer to finishing your LEDs. Should have them ready for you in a week or so. Still working on the clips.

These LEDs will be 2x as bright as the bulbs. Each bulb that was in the fixture I was sent burns over 8W for a total just less than 35W. Both LED boards burn a total of less than 3W.

[Steve]

@Steve

Steve,
Getting closer to finishing your LEDs. Should have them ready for you in a week or so. Still working on the clips.

These LEDs will be 2x as bright as the bulbs. Each bulb that was in the fixture I was sent burns over 8W for a total just less than 35W. Both LED boards burn a total of less than 3W.

Awesome!! Thanks!!

[Steve]

I just ordered the round rear spoke lights for my car. They looked really cool on Oscars car at the recent WCR event in Tahoe.

[Spoke]

@Steve

Steve,
Getting closer to finishing your LEDs. Should have them ready for you in a week or so. Still working on the clips.

These LEDs will be 2x as bright as the bulbs. Each bulb that was in the fixture I was sent burns over 8W for a total just less than 35W. Both LED boards burn a total of less than 3W.

@Steve

Well it's been a bit more than a week but the 3rd brake lights will ship this weekend.

Took a while to figure out how to connect the LEDs to the original bulb sockets. The bulbs have straight pins and doesn't really have a base so I just soldered 25Ga piano wire to push into the bulb sockets.

The clips went through several iterations and now fit will with the boards.




Here's the boards connected into the bulb sockets. Either socket could be used for connection. I'm not sure if the top hole is 12V or ground. You'll have to figure that on out.

[Spoke]

The boards slide into the spacers.



The boards drop right into the fixture. The wires need to be tucked in out of the way.

[Spoke]

All lit up.

The 4 bulbs together burn 2.5A at 14V which is 35W.

The 2 LED boards together burn 0.195A at 14V which is 2.73W while being twice as bright as the bulbs. This kit will be priced at $40.

[Steve]

Looks great!!

[Cairo94507]

Another amazing option by Jerry. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Spoke]

As I was preparing to ship the LEDs back to the original 944 owner I noticed the plastic lens fixture didn't sit flush.

On inspection I realized this ridge on the exterior piece was interfering with my supports.



So I had to trim the edges of the supports to allow for the ridge. All is well now.

[Steve]

Jerry,
Thanks again for the test unit. It was super easy to install. Everything fit perfectly and it’s way brighter than the stock bulbs. I will be purchasing one for my other 914.
Thanks,
-Steve