How do you connect extension rear brake light?

Answer 1

There is a problem with today's drivers

not recognizing an amber light as a brake

light.

The second problem is that the taillights

on our cars are not very bright and they do not

reflect very well.

I corrected the first problem easily by

converting the amber to directional and

replacing the lower socket with a dual contact

for tail and brake lights. This cures the

problem with the color of the brake light but

does not address the issue of attention getting

during braking.

Vehicles with rear-mounted spares may

be able to use the following safety addition.

The only modification to the car is connection

to the wiring harness for the brake light.

The light fits into the hubcap area of the spare.

Purchase a "Universal stop, turn, and tail"

light from the auto parts store. I used a unit

manufactured by PM, part number V428S.

Correctly sized lights from others will fit if they have

a 3-3/4 inch lens and 3-1/2 inch diameter body. Don't

use the units with built-in license lights. Increase the

brightness of the light by painting the inside with

aluminum paint.

Note: Dimensions shown are for a '31. Other years

and rims may require alterations.

Create a mounting bracket for the front of the light

using light gauge metal. Taper the ends to about ¾

inches wide to allow for bending hooks over the rim.

Drill holes for the mounting bolts and wires. Wire

opening must prevent chafing

2

Mount bracket to light body, then insert into rim and

bend over hooks to locate.

Create a rear bracket to hold the unit in the rim.

The rear bracket should be made from slightly heavier

gauge metal for stiffness. It only prevents the light

from falling out of the rim and is held in place by

pressure from the lug bolts when the wheel is

mounted on the car. Check dimensions for your

application. The next figure shows how the assembly

works. The rim is not shown for clarity. Remove the

rear bracket and install the unit into the rim. Attach

the rear bracket with wing nuts to allow for easy

removal of the spare tire assembly.

The unit is supplied with a 12 volt #1157 bulb. If this

assembly is used on 6 volts, install a #1154 bulb. Only

connect the bright (brake) light lead (usually the red)

because it will act like today's third brake light and no

socket change is necessary.

Purchase an extension cord used for house lamps.

Check to insure one blade of the male end is slightly

larger. One opening in the female end should be

larger. This will prevent polarity problems. You will

need to use both ends including plug and socket. Cut

about 3 feet from the plug end and attach the cut end

to the new rim light leaving the male end loose. Mark

the wires for hot and ground. These cords have one

conductor with extra ribs on the insulation so use that

as a marker. Connect one lead to the bulb hot and the

other to ground on the rim light. Use the remaining 3

part of the extension cord to connect to the existing

brake light wiring and ground allowing the female end

to hang loose. Observe polarity. Plug the male end

from the rim light into the female end from the

existing brake light. You should have a safer car and

avoid rear end collisions by getting those tailgaters

attention. Happy and safe touring