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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: belfert on August 18, 2009, 07:41:50 AM

Title: How well do LED backup lights work?
Post by: belfert on August 18, 2009, 07:41:50 AM
Does anyone have any experience with LED backup lights?  Are they as bright/brighter than incandescant?

I currently have two Peterson M393C lights for backup lights.  The only LED backup light I can find that would work in the space is the Maxxima M42205.  It has 20 LEDs.

I might just replace the lens on the lights I have now, but it would be nice to have all LED across the back so no more worries about bulbs burning out.  (Of course, LEDs can fail too.)
Title: Re: How well do LED backup lights work?
Post by: TomC on August 18, 2009, 08:25:42 AM
As far as a backup light that warns others of you backing, it would work fine.  As to illuminating a dark night-you can't beat a sealed halogen light for brightness.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: How well do LED backup lights work?
Post by: Jeremy on August 18, 2009, 08:39:42 AM
Yes, it's a long time since backup lights were actually designed to help you see where you were going. If you regularly reverse into dark areas the real solution would be something like this:

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.namibweb.net%2Fsandtracks%2Fimages%2FWorklight.JPG&hash=29d2254e34a84df41a1673cded77875a68c99c9c)


Jeremy
Title: Re: How well do LED backup lights work?
Post by: belfert on August 18, 2009, 08:42:10 AM
The present backup lights are pretty bright so it sounds like I should just stick with what I have.  I'll just replace the lenses as they are in bad shape.

I do have a backup buzzer that warns folks if I am backing.  I try to avoid backing except at home where the bus is parked.
Title: Re: How well do LED backup lights work?
Post by: zimtok on August 18, 2009, 10:37:18 AM
I installed LED backup lights on my bus and they do an OK job of illumination. The P.O. of the bus had fog lights bolted to the back of the bus that looked just awful and made washing the bus difficult because they were not recessed into the back panel. I use the backup lights all the time in and out of my driveway and in and out of parking at the venues the band plays at. More then anything I need to install side lights on the bus to illuminate what is on the sides of the bus. you would be supprised how many people park real close to this big beast and with a dark color car at night it is difficult to determine how close they are.

Here are photos showing before and after the lights were installed.

See the rectangle fog lights just above the round red tail lights

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi411.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp194%2FZimtok%2FBuses%2520Cars%2520and%2520Bikes%2Fbackofbusbefore-small.jpg&hash=bce75b17847a645e2a2b52e1d91cd629f9d43430)


Now it is much cleaner looking with the four upper lights for tail brake and turn signal and the lower lights for backup lights.

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi411.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp194%2FZimtok%2FBuses%2520Cars%2520and%2520Bikes%2Fbackofbusafter-small.jpg&hash=4f99109840c0e944e0570a0da5fd472f9d8d782d)

And with the lights off they all have clear lenses...

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi411.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp194%2FZimtok%2FBuses%2520Cars%2520and%2520Bikes%2Fbackofbus1.jpg&hash=1e636df52e6f9ecc73c05bbbe93418be13c8571a)