Light configuration

Jsrcaptain · February 12, 2021, 10:02:33 AM

So, I'm replacing my tail, signal and brake lights with LEDs. It's nice that they make 24vdc lights for my MC5B. In the back I've got the 7" light on top, with two 4" lights below. I'm wondering what would be a good setup for them as far as which should be brakes, tail or signal or a combination of the three.

I see they have LED flashers for the low amp LEDs. I'm assuming that one flasher unit will be sufficient for the two front and four rear/side signal lights. Amirite?

6805eagleguy · February 12, 2021, 02:15:21 PM

http://superbrightleds.com I got a led flasher, plugged it in, then promptly blew my fuses... obviously the wrong flasher. A good site for led anything is superbrightleds.com

lostagain · February 12, 2021, 04:48:35 PM

On my 5C, the stock arrangement is: 5" turn signal on top, 7" brake light in the middle, and 5" running light at the bottom. I think the 5Bs were the same. I replaced mine with LEDs. I looked for ones that had the 30V description to make sure they would stand 24V. Not all LEDs do. Oh and 5" LEDs are rare, so I got 4" and installed them with a rubber grommet. Updated looking, and brighter too.

Jsrcaptain · February 12, 2021, 05:04:29 PM

Here's a picture of my setup. The lights say 10 to 30 volts so we'll see.

buswarrior · February 13, 2021, 06:18:36 AM

Contrast is important for the following driver who wasn't looking when you applied the brakes.

Something on the rear that just stays a running light, while others go to full bright.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

chessie4905 · February 13, 2021, 06:47:40 AM

Yes, tail lights.

richard5933 · February 13, 2021, 08:33:56 AM

Do you have separate flashers for your turn signals and the 4-way hazards?

6805eagleguy · February 13, 2021, 08:42:35 AM

Quote from: buswarrior on February 13, 2021, 06:18:36 AM
Contrast is important for the following driver who wasn't looking when you applied the brakes.

Something on the rear that just stays a running light, while others go to full bright.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Also I have 1 light on each side that is only a brake turn light for contrast

(Lights on engine door)

richard5933 · February 13, 2021, 08:56:11 AM

We have a dedicated light for tail lights, another for brake lights, and the third is turn & 4-way flasher.

Seems like the big question is should the brake lights go in the larger housing, and it does seem like that is done in many instances. I suppose it could also be setup with the brake lights in a smaller housing if the bulbs were adequately bright and produce enough contrast, as mentioned earlier.

chessie4905 · February 13, 2021, 09:48:35 AM

Probably flasher was for 12 volts. As long as brake lights are significantly brighter that tail lights which shouldn't be crazy bright. Some going with leds get carried away with the lumens. Leds are nice in that they don't fail easily due to shock and vibration like the incandescent ones. Do a good job of using good crimps/ connectors and solid ground connections. I solder mine but dont want to start an argument over that. Crimp or solder, whichever you prefer. DO NOT use Scotch locks! Use shrink tubing over all your connections. Water, oil, and dirt/ corrosion gets everywhere in the tailgate area.

Jsrcaptain · February 13, 2021, 03:09:25 PM

I have the signal light on the rear side also. Maybe I should add them to the front side too. Not too bright, just enough to get their attention. I would hope the flasher unit would be adequate to flask all four, six or maybe even eight LEDs. I'll have to check the specs and do the math. I haven't bought one yet. Two flashers wouldn't be too difficult to do.

lostagain · February 13, 2021, 04:29:36 PM

The side signal lights are good to have front and rear. It helps to just signal and move over and make them back off. You are the king of the road, and everybody should get out of your way, LOL. But seriously, the more the better for visibility.

JC

RJ · February 14, 2021, 12:16:22 AM

Jrscaptain -

I wish I still had the photo, but it's buried in a box somewhere. . . Anyway:

IF this was my coach, I'd reconfigure the lights as follows:

Top 7" replaced with an AMBER sealed LED school bus light wired as turn signals and 4-way flashers only.

Middle light for brakes only, using a sealed LED unit.

Bottom light combination tail/brake, again a sealed LED unit.

I would also include one of those red 6" rectangular sealed LED lights mounted in the blower box door wired to the brake lights.

And if I really wanted to go crazy, I would also mount a couple amber 6" rectangular sealed LED lights on either side of the red center mounted brake light and wire them so they would alternately flash whenever the Jake brake came on, like a lot of the newer transit buses are doing. Purpose being to wake up the folk behind you that this monster is slowing down!

Anyway, that's my nickel's worth, but you'll get 3¢ change!