Improving reverse lighting

[Cheeseburger]

Is it possible to improve the intensity emitted by the reversing light without major mods? I've got a long and very narrow driveway to negotiate each day, not made any easier after dark when I can barely see where i'm reversing. It's fix-it time. Not expecting spotlight brightness, but I would like a better pool of light immediately behind me so I can avoid scratching my rims or side-skirts.

Maybe LED replacement bulbs... but which of the 1,000,000 options can be recommended? And don't LEDs require circuit mods? Not really wanting to spend a fortune either... maybe $20... some of those LED replacements are DAMN expensive.

[CMG]

You can get the cheap cree style led off ebay for like $5 or real ones for like $40 iirc. The cheap blue bottom ones work fine and even with crappy quality they'll last for a while and u can get multiple bulbs for all ur cars. All my cars have them, it's a similar feeling like changing to hid headlights and ur amazed how much you can see.

[Marv17]

I have LED lights in my reverse lights. Helps see better when backing up. You're right tho, you may have to add a resistor to the wiring do you don't get the error code.

[Moron95M3]

http://youtu.be/AjGXn249Fc0

[JDStrickland]

The PURPOSE of back up lights is so other drivers know you are coming at them, those lights are not there for your benefit they are there for mine. I see your back up lights on, and I know you are coming my way and perhaps you cannot see me so I change my behavior to adopt a defensive strategy.

[15Michaeljoseph]

The PURPOSE of back up lights is so other drivers know you are coming at them, those lights are not there for your benefit they are there for mine. I see your back up lights on, and I know you are coming my way and perhaps you cannot see me so I change my behavior to adopt a defensive strategy.

yeah but i guess they do help a little. honestly OP, I tap my brakes to get more light back there. but I see your point. different strokes for different folks

[johnf]

How much paint would it take to lay a reflective white strip along the edge of the driveway?

[e36fiend]

You guys are weird sometimes. Guy comes in here asking how to upgrade his reverse lights and you give him a bunch of reasons why he shouldn't do that.

On a whim I bought some Chinese cree LEDs on ebay a while back and they both broke while installing them, the metal base separated from the LED housing as I twisted them in. You get what you pay for.

[r33p04s]

Video Link: http://youtu.be/AjGXn249Fc0 (http://youtu.be/AjGXn249Fc0)

Under appreciated

Fingerblasting my iPad

[gc325is]

You could try a 55 Watt Halogen bulb but they get hot when left on for long periods. The 35 W halogen are hard to find std is 21 W

An LED bulb directed out the right direction may be just as good.

http://www.krautoparts.com/products/1156-7506-hi-powered-5w-cree-led-bulbs-pair

You can swap the L Plate bulbs too for more light.

[Driiven]

My buddy installed something similar to this in his car. It is almost silly how bright they are. http://www.tophids.com/t10-hid-reverse-lig10.html

I used some 15w cree bulbs from ebay and they are pretty effective. I am pretty sure I had to bypass the ccm to get rid of the bulb out warnings though... I didn't wanna deal with resistors.

[Cheeseburger]

The PURPOSE of back up lights is so other drivers know you are coming at them, those lights are not there for your benefit they are there for mine. I see your back up lights on, and I know you are coming my way and perhaps you cannot see me so I change my behavior to adopt a defensive strategy.


I think you need to assume i'll use a modicum of common sense here. I don't plan on converting them to 20,000 lumen HIDs. I'll be sticking with 11W bulbs. But if I can get them brighter for my own benefit I will do so. A pair of 11W LED reversing lights is unlikely to bedazzle an oncoming driver any more than low-watt headlights. As they are the current reverse lights barely even register in daylight which kind of contradicts your desire for road safety... perhaps I am even doing you a favour by installing LEDs so your driving judgements can be made with higher assurance.


Does anybody know what type of bulb needed for the job? The Ebay vendors all list the bulbs by type designations i'm unfamiliar with (i.e. RW5, RW10, T4W, H6W...)... all I know is that I need a 7W or 11W bayonet bulb... filament bulbs are a dime a dozen in the local auto store, but if I want LEDs i've gotta Ebay them.

[Driiven]

you want the 1156/7506 they fit my e36 just fine. I am using these http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-LED-HID-WHITE-REVERSE-BACKUP-BULB-HIGH-POWER-LIGHT-BA15S-1156-7506-1141-2B-/321469560375?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AH1&hash=item4ad9143637&vxp=mtr

[hoozdman]

Do you have rear fogs that can help illuminate the driveway?

H

[CMG]

You guys are weird sometimes. Guy comes in here asking how to upgrade his reverse lights and you give him a bunch of reasons why he shouldn't do that. On a whim I bought some Chinese cree LEDs on ebay a while back and they both broke while installing them, the metal base separated from the LED housing as I twisted them in. You get what you pay for.
Yeah you gotta watch out for the quality. They all look the same but some are put together with glue and others are put together with silicone. You can buy like 5 sets for $25 and even with some breaking or going out they will past you for years.

[Spyke]

High output nickle base bulbs > LEDs, unless you want to spend a ridiculous amount on top of the line LED bulbs.

I live in the sticks, no street lights, driveway is pitch black when I get home. I have had mid-range $30-$50/pair LEDs and the high output nickle base bulbs kicked their ass in output. The LEDs may "look" brighter, but the others put out more light that I can actually see with. (LEDs don't put a lot of light out when going through a diffused lens meant for incandescents, like ours are... they perform better in smooth lenses.)

You don't want to just put higher watt bulbs in there because they will melt your plastic lenses or the bulb holder in the long run... common mistake. Our tails already have issues with bulbs making full contact, etc. and you don't want to add more problems. And Nickle based bulbs are superior to the usual cheap brass based bulbs, in any vehicle.

[bladerealm124]

High output nickle base bulbs > LEDs, unless you want to spend a ridiculous amount on top of the line LED bulbs.

I live in the sticks, no street lights, driveway is pitch black when I get home. I have had mid-range $30-$50/pair LEDs and the high output nickle base bulbs kicked their ass in output. The LEDs may "look" brighter, but the others put out more light that I can actually see with.

You don't want to just put higher watt bulbs in there because they will melt your plastic lenses or the bulb holder in the long run... common mistake. Our tails already have issues with bulbs making full contact, etc. and you don't want to add more problems.
Any specific brand recommendations or links?

[Spyke]

They're not hard to find, but they do require knowing the right people. Message Andy, here is his profile here on the forums:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/member.php?129822-MisterFixit

He can get them for you at very reasonable prices. He's on almost every BMW forum, really nice and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to lighting.

[JDStrickland]

Do you have rear fogs that can help illuminate the driveway?

H


Rear facing fog lights are red.